Taking the Lead for Peace: Why Ambazonians Must Rise Above and Embrace the Peace Plant Paper

When a crisis escalates into armed conflict, the true cost is borne not just by the warring parties but, most tragically, by the innocent—children, women, and entire communities. 
Waiting for the other side to take responsibility for ending the war often prolongs suffering. 
History has shown that leadership in such moments comes not from assigning blame but from taking decisive action to stop the violence, even when it feels unjust to be the first to act.

Many Ambazonians understandably feel the Cameroon government, as the oppressor, should bear responsibility for resolving the conflict. 
The decades of marginalization, violence, and refusal to address our grievances led to armed resistance in self-defense. 
However, waiting for the oppressor to act assumes they value peace or justice, which they have consistently failed to demonstrate.

Examples from history show that taking the first step toward peace is not weakness but strength. 
In South Africa, Nelson Mandela chose dialogue over vengeance to prevent civil war, uniting his country. 
In Northern Ireland, the Good Friday Agreement ended decades of bloodshed because leaders recognized that violence perpetuated suffering. 
These decisions didn’t erase the legitimacy of their causes but instead strengthened their moral authority and secured lasting change.

For Ambazonia, taking the initiative to end the war would not mean surrendering our aspirations for self-determination. 
It would prioritize the well-being of our people, who have borne the brunt of the conflict. 
The rise of rogue fighters, war fatigue, and internal divisions already threaten the credibility of our movement and deepen the suffering of our communities.
Ending the violence would allow us to focus on rebuilding, educating our children, and advancing our struggle through nonviolent means.

Why Should Our People Believe in PRAP’s Approach with the PPP?
The skepticism from our people is understandable. 
The Cameroon government has refused past attempts at dialogue and ignored various initiatives to resolve the conflict.
However, the Peace Plant Paper (PPP) is not like other tactics—it is designed as a strategic and innovative approach that prioritizes the human and social needs of our people while forcing the Cameroon government to reckon with a new reality.

Unlike other methods, the PPP empowers communities to reclaim their agency by building grassroots movements and presenting a united front. 
It removes the focus from violent conflict and highlights the Cameroon government’s unwillingness to address the root causes of the crisis, exposing them to both internal and international scrutiny. 
By rallying behind the PPP, we show the world that we are committed to peace, not war, and that we value the lives and future of our people above all else.

The PPP is not about convincing the oppressor—it’s about uniting Ambazonians around a common vision and pressuring the international community to act. 
By embracing this approach, we can regain the moral high ground and shift the struggle to one where we lead, not react.

Leadership is not about choosing the easy path; it is about choosing the right one. 
If we truly believe in the freedom, prosperity, and dignity of our people, we must lead by example. 
Let us rise above the oppressor’s inability to value life and chart a path toward lasting peace and justice through the Peace Plant Paper. 
This is how we ensure the sacrifices of our people are not in vain.

Sincerely,
Ndong Emmanuel Ngong (Capo Daniel)
Chairman, People’s Rights Advocacy Platform

Best regards