Sema Fonkem 28/04/2025

The October 6, 2016 Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium protest of the appointment of Francophone judges in Anglophone regions led by Agbor Balla, Fontem Neba and Tassang Wilfred became a loophole for Ambazonia separatists to wage war against Cameroon government.

Throughout 2016, thousands of Anglophone citizens including lawyers, human rights defenders, students and teachers joined the protest, schools were closed and businesses shut down. The government responded by deploying military troops and every force it could use to restore normality. Over one hundred protesters were arrested and six people were killed.

After the failed 2017 negotiations between the government and lawyer activists, the latter demanded a federal state which will give Anglophones equal rights and opportunities in state affairs. Th government responded by banning the consortium and this gave Ambazonia Governing Council (AGovC) the opportunity it had been waiting for, to come forward as the saviour of Anglophones who have been yearning for separation from Cameroon government.

Ayaba Cho, Eric Tataw and Sako Ikome will rise to prominence after the arrest of Ambazonia political leader, Sisiku Ayuk Tabe by 15 armed men of Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) in 2018 while conducting a clandestine meeting against the government of Cameroon. Tabe’s arrest will birth an unending 8-year unrest in the North West and South regions of Cameroon.

The AGovC and Ambazonia Defence Forces (ADF) will be highly praised under the leadership of Cho, Tataw and Ikome by followers for their determination and continuous resistance against the government until after the Ngarbuh Massacre of 14 February 2020 when 21 civilians including 13 children were murdered by government forces and detractors of AGovC. Some followers of the AGovC began to feel that ADF was not doing enough to protect Anglophone citizens and questioned what the funds contributed were being used for.

An investigation by intelligence agencies, professional independent journalists, concerned citizens and citizen journalists will reveal that the AGovC leaders are using funds to live lavishly while their supporters are left at the mercy of God. Further investigations also proved that AGovC leaders are involved in the illegal harvest and smuggling of Agricultural produce during ‘Ghost Town Mondays’, kidnappings, torture and many other crimes against humanity.

“Ayaba Cho is a business man in war, this is a business cartel in war, they are not there to fight for anybody. The actions in the ground can prove what I am saying.” Says Ngong Emmanuel better known as Capo Daniel, a former deputy commander of ADF and propagandist turned human rights activist. In Capo Daniel’s YouTube video titled The Lie to Biafra and Ambazonia about Ayaba Cho, he debunks rumours that the Cameroonian government has sent a letter to Norway for the release of the Ayaba Cho. Capo Daniel confirms that Ayaba Cho and members of AGovC which was set up in 2013 are cold blooded killers and hardened criminals who are focused on kidnappings, extortions, killing of their victims, innocent Cameroonian citizens and anyone who poses as a threat. According to Capo Daniel, Ayaba Cho was arrested by the Norwegian government and not by the Cameroon government.

The Arrest of AGovC leaders

In September 2024, AGovC leader and ADF Commander-in-chief, 52 years old Ayaba Cho was arrested by law enforcement in Norway for his involvement in the on going armed conflict and crimes against humanity. on the 25th of April 2025, the US department of public affairs announced that Eric Tataw also known as ‘the Garri Master’ who is based in Maryland, USA has been indicted for providing material support to ADF, mutilations, killings and human rights abuse of Cameroonian citizens. Tataw became known as the Garri Master because of his love to see the hands of innocent citizens cut off if they went against the ‘Ghost Town’ rules which forbid anyone from going outdoors or participate in any public activities.

Left in the wind

With the increase of Ambazonia fighters surrendering, the arrest of Tabe, Tataw and Cho, Sako Ikome who is the president of the Ambazonia proto state is left to carry the responsibilities for Sisiku Ayuk Tabe who has constantly refused peace negotiations with the Cameroonian government. The president of Cameroon Paul Biya and the minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji are determined to crackdown on the separatists, bring an end to the unrest and restore peace in the affected areas of South West and North West regions as preparations of the October 2025 presidential elections are going on.

Amidst the fighting, hundreds of lives have been lost and that includes members of Cameroon military, law enforcement officers, Ambazonia fighters and civilians. Properties belonging to private and government organisations have also been damaged.