Dear members of the Ambazonia Students Caucus and fellow Ambazonians,
I, Capo Daniel, Chairman of the People’s Rights Advocacy Platform (PRAP) on behalf of the Executive team of PRAP , wish to address the concerns and misinformation raised in your document titled “22 Reasons Why We Reject Capo Daniel’s Cessation of Hostilities.” It is important to clarify not only our position but also the goals and purpose behind the Peace Plant Paper proposed by PRAP.
First, I must acknowledge that the frustrations and pain expressed in your letter are valid. The suffering our people have endured under decades of marginalization, violence, and neo-colonial exploitation by La République du Cameroun, aided by France, is undeniable. However, I believe that the solution to this ongoing conflict requires a strategic and thoughtful approach—one that prioritizes the welfare of our people and the long-term realization of Ambazonian self-determination. This is where the Peace Plant Paper comes into play.
- Misrepresentation of Our Peace Initiative
Your document suggests that our call for cessation of hostilities is an act of ignorance and submission to colonialism. This could not be further from the truth. The cessation of hostilities is not a sign of weakness, nor is it a capitulation to French neo-colonialism. Rather, it is a strategy aimed at protecting the lives of our people, opening doors for meaningful negotiations, and reorienting the movement toward a diplomatic resolution that ensures our sovereignty. The Peace Plant Paper advocates for a peace process that is rooted in Ambazonian interests, focused on protecting civilians, and seeks a long-term resolution to the conflict.
- The Historical Context is Clear—We Know Our Roots
The history of Southern Cameroons and its relationship with La République du Cameroun is well known to us in PRAP. Like you, we are aware of the facts surrounding the 1961 UN General Assembly Resolution 1608, which is often misinterpreted as granting unconditional independence to Southern Cameroons. It is crucial to understand that the vote by the UNGA for the independence of the former British Southern Cameroons was a vote for conditional independence—referred to as “independence by joining.” This is distinct from the independence granted to French Cameroon in 1960. Misinterpreting UNGA Resolution 1608 weakens our cause and only serves to confuse international stakeholders, making it harder for them to take the plight of our people seriously. We must be honest about our history to gain the full support of the international community.
Understanding the true context of our independence allows us to pursue a path that honors our historical struggles while engaging with the international legal frameworks available to us.
- Addressing the False Equivalence Between Peace and Submission
Your assertion that ceasing hostilities equates to accepting slavery and colonization is a gross misinterpretation of our intent. PRAP’s position, through the Peace Plant Paper, is that we must protect our people while actively pursuing diplomatic means to bring our case to the international stage. Fighting without end does not ensure victory—it endangers our future and the very people we seek to protect. The Peace Plant Paper calls for the cessation of hostilities to create space for negotiation, advocacy, and gaining international recognition, rather than yielding to Cameroon or France.
- Unverified Allegations and Misinformation
The document references the so-called “Le Protocole de Sages,” a mysterious and unverified document alleging that there is an organized government policy of hatred against Anglophones. While the oppression and systemic marginalization of Anglophones are clear and real, we must be careful about accepting information that is not substantiated by credible sources. Our peace initiative seeks to rely on verifiable facts and to build our case on truth, legality, and justice—principles that will stand in any international forum. Spreading misinformation only weakens our cause.
- The Role of PRAP: Advocating for a New Approach
PRAP’s Peace Plant Paper is not a call for submission, nor is it a betrayal of our people’s aspirations. It is a pragmatic approach that recognizes the need for a well-coordinated, diplomatic, and internationally backed solution. Southern Cameroons (Ambazonia) has suffered immensely under this conflict, and continuing hostilities without a clear path forward will only deepen our losses. The Peace Plant Paper proposes a way to halt the violence while maintaining pressure on La République du Cameroun through non-violent resistance, international diplomacy, and the legal pursuit of our rights.
- Protecting Ambazonian Interests While Seeking a Peaceful Resolution
The peace process we advocate for is not a means to abandon the struggle, but to reposition ourselves in a way that better secures our future. It allows us to focus on building alliances, strengthening our institutions, and creating a movement that can sustain the pressure needed to achieve full independence. The ceasefire proposed is not permanent unless it brings about a just solution; it is simply a tool to prevent further bloodshed while we pursue diplomatic routes to victory.
- Ensuring Accountability and Transparency
As PRAP continues to advocate for peace, we are committed to ensuring that the crimes committed during this war—whether by La République du Cameroun or any other actors—are accounted for. We believe in justice and the protection of our people, and the cessation of hostilities does not mean we will allow those who have committed atrocities to escape accountability. Rather, it allows us to seek justice within the framework of international law, ensuring that the world sees the full extent of the suffering inflicted on Ambazonians.
- Conclusion: The Path Forward with the Peace Plant Paper
I understand that many of you feel that the cessation of hostilities means giving up the struggle, but I assure you it does not. The Peace Plant Paper is designed to protect Ambazonians from further harm while creating a platform to pursue our goals through more effective and internationally recognized means. Peace does not mean surrender; it means giving our people a chance to survive, rebuild, and ultimately win through legal and diplomatic avenues.
Let us remember that wars are not won solely on the battlefield. They are won through strategy, diplomacy, and the ability to harness international support. The People’s Rights Advocacy Platform, through the Peace Plant Paper, seeks to equip Ambazonians with a new strategy—a strategy of peace, protection, and ultimately, freedom.
We call on all Ambazonians to join us in this cause, not as an end to the fight for independence, but as a way to secure the future of our people without unnecessary bloodshed.
Capo Daniel
Chairman, People’s Rights Advocacy Platform (PRAP)
