This Fight is our Fight!

There is nothing so shocking in life like the passing away of someone so dear to you, someone whom you have known for years, in days of relative joy and absolute hardship and sufferings, someone who has been too close to be called a friend. Recently, The Southern Cameroons Youth League lost two of its finest products. But it was not just The League that was bereaved. It was a personal lose to me and my family.

I remember Mrs. Pascaline Ayaba whom we fondly call "Pas". I remember her for all what she was to me: a devoted friend, sister and housewife, a loyal Comrade for the Cause of Freedom. I do remember the good old days we had shared together just after the birth of The SCYL, our discussions on the type of future we both want for our children and the type of public image we want our dear husbands to take. I do remember how we had planned to stay alive and be counted when the day comes, when we as a people will march into triumph and take control of our beloved Buea. But "Pas" will not be there on that glorious day because death once more has played a fast one on me and The SCYL.

As I ponder on those beautiful moments we had shared together, my heart goes to those days of uncertainty when Biya made us "Single again" sending Mbongo and others to his jail and driving out Cho and Benedict from our HOMELAND. Those days always bring to mind the horrors of annexation and the evils of a tyrant. Biya took from us our ribs, our own half but he was not able to take away our breath and the fire of resistance in us.

Pas, I do not write to praise you but to let the world know that you were here and did your very best to keep ablaze the flames of the urging for Liberty which has been burning since 1995.

My family and I will never forget you and you will live in the memory of all true lovers of Freedom forever. We will surely meet you after our own job down here must have been completed. And please my dear sister, do all to have a convenient resting place for our own BT who was recently oblige to come your way.

And death, as if it was not tired in hunting amongst us decided to strike again. In its usual way, it comes like a robber and Christopher Fomunyoh Bah-Tango was snatched away. Many knew "BT" or thought they knew him, but very few actually understood who he was: a man of IRON.

I had personally spent hundred of memorable days with our departed Spokesman. I remember the very exciting meetings of the REHCOCO which I attended in his house in Molyko and how he served us with litres of palm-wine and kola-nut and how we would go on and on brain storming on major political issues concerning our own Cameroons. I was not a member of the REHCOCO but as a seasonal cook to most of their meetings and my interpersonal relationship with all the members, I was indeed privilege to be accepted amongst them and they were always at ease with me.

I can still remember the heated debates and the execution of Plan zero. One thing I will never forget is that this young men who usually sat up all night pondering on the future of the generation of unborn children while their age mates were out in night clubs boozing out their lives and enjoying a spree of free and cheap sex; these young men were not just talkers but were involve in the implementation of every decision they took.

"BT" was a symbol on which most of them were standing. He and Cho will visit us at 1:00am, took away my husband, and just the three will block the Mile 17 hill putting Buea into a state of panic the next day as Gendarmes, Police and Soldiers will become restless, not knowing exactly what was still to come.

I will always remember BT with his usual hat and famous brown shoes. He was always playing the safe guy. They will run down the Hill with his white Subaru car in other to get it started so that they can personally distribute flyers and tracks.

But all these good works and charming humour disappeared within seconds at ABI FALLS were BT met his death. We will miss him forever but the best we can each do is to keep his legacy of courage and action alive so that real Freedom will become a true part of our day to day life and the Southern Cameroons will once again stand as a beacon of hope and democracy in our region as it stood before the Independence fever gripped Africa in 1960. This Fight is our Fight! This Job is our Job! The Salary will be ours only if we Work for it.

The goals of Freedom must not be taken lightly or consider as a political chess game. The goal of Freedom is bigger than our lives and unless we go for it, obtain it, protect it, then we have nothing to live for.

Mrs. Agnes Nenji Akwanga nee Abungwi
Riverdale, USA.