Interview

Secession is not an option in SWELA

 -Moki Jacob Etukeni, SWELA Scribe

Moki Jacob Etukeni

The Executive Secretary of the South West Elite Association has said that the association cannot be active as it should be because of the ongoing Anglophone crisis. Moki says

            **What is the atmosphere in SWELA at this time?

            As you may be aware, the present crisis in the region makes it very difficult to rally the people to fight for the cause of SWELA. This is why we have become virtually inactive.

            ** So would it be correct to say that you have not been able to achieve your mandate as a result of the crisis?

            I would rather say I have not fully achieved my mandate because we were able to do some work before the crisis started. We organized two workshops which had to do with the development of the region and which have counted a lot as far as the development of the region is concerned.

            ** What are some of those things that you would have loved to achieve but which you could not achieve because of the ongoing crisis?

            Indeed if we had the opportunity we would have come over to the headquarters to lobby for some projects to come to the region. But we have not been able to do this because of the prevailing circumstances.

            ** So what exactly is your mission to Yaounde?

            Frankly we are here for a tripartite concertation that involves SWELA, the Chiefs and some elites in Yaounde, to look at the insecurity in the region and seek ways to chart a way forward. We also reviewed the situation of the two institutions that is SWELA and SWECC, which have for some time now been on leave.

            **The elite and leaders of the South West have been said to be quiet all throughout this crisis. Why haven’t you spoken out, you and the chiefs, to either condemn or support what is happening?

            You push me to be cautious when you talk of condemning. However, right from the unset of the crisis and even before it started, SWELA had done a lot of work in terms of sending out memoranda, and communiqués all of which had to do with the grievances that are being expressed today.

            ** So during your concertation in Yaounde did you talk about initiatives to end or perhaps reduce the tensions in the SW region?

            Yes of course. We brainstormed on how it is going to be possible to bring back the peace in the region.

            **But some of the elite in Yaounde have been accused of being in a comfort zone. What does that mean?

            In fact, by comfort zone it means there are no skirmishes here in Yaounde. Apart from that the expression was used to call for negotiations and/or dialogue. So, when I talked of coming to meet our brothers in their comfort zone, I meant that they are resident in Yaounde where there is relative quiet, while we are coming from the areas where the violence and destructions are taking place.

            ** So at the end of the concertation have you taken an outright position for or against secession?

            The point should be made and loudly that all along SWELA is against secession. If SWELA has been talking about restructuring of the nation, secession is not one of the options.

            **So how can SWELA help in the process of returning peace in the SW region?

            During our concertation in Younde somebody talked of the “soft touch” approach. By this it means we need to be careful about the kind of language we use in addressing our brothers and sisters who have been displaced in the bushes and towns. We will also be making every effort humanly possible to see that we get in contact with some of the key players and actors and negotiate with them.

            **What is SWELA’s view about the up-coming Anglophone conference?

            I want to think that the All Anglophone General Conference as it has been coined has been convened as a prelude to the national, all-inclusive dialogue that everybody is anticipating. I am sure the conveners were asking themselves that if at all that dialogue were called now, who is going to represent who. So, AAGC is being arranged so that the SW and NW will get their bona fide representatives to the national dialogue.

            **What is SWELA’s view about decentralization?

            SWELA’s position is and has always been for decentralization to be effective. By this we mean the central government turning down to the regional government and the regional government turning down to the local government. So, decentralization should not be a two-tier but a three-tier issue. SWELA advocates strongly for the regional councils to be put in place. We think that if the regional councils are put in place and fast, that may help to put some peace and quiet in the storm. Also, we think that many of the people of the SW are waiting for a statement from their father, the resident of the republic, Paul Biya.

            **This is the pre-campaign period. What is the atmosphere like in the South West ahead of the 7 October Presidential election?

            In fact with the present crisis, I must say very little is being discussed about the presidential elections. And the reason is that many of the people are in the bushes and you cannot tell when the crisis will end. Meanwhile those who have been courageous to stay in the towns are more concerned about their safety and security; elections mean little or nothing to them. As for us in SWELA we have always maintained our advice to our adherents to vote wisely.

            **Do you foresee schools reopening in the SW in September? Taken any initiatives in that direction in the region?

            Yes of course. We are already sensitizing the people, especially the parents about sending their kids to school. It is our hope that our message has gone down well with them and we shall see students and pupils rushing to school on 3rd September. In fact many people are already talking about back to school in the region. I have also seen positive campaigns for effective back to school on social media. Some of those who called for or respected the schools boycott now seem to be realizing that they made a big mistake after all, especially when they realize that it will soon be for three years that their children have not been to school. With all of these campaigns and advocacies I believe very strongly that schools are going to resume effectively come 3rd September.