Summit Magazine: The venue for the celebration of the 50thanniversary after reunification is hanging on the air pending the announcement of the Head of State, Paul Biya. Some people talk of Buea, others say Kumba, Bamenda and Foumban. As a historian where should the celebrations take place?
Professor Victor Ngoh Julius: Well I think it should be made absolutely clear, the reunification event was between British Southern Cameroons and the Republic of Cameroon. At that time the centre of power of authority in British Southern Cameroon was in Buea. All negotiations between Ahidjo and Foncha which took place in British Southern Cameroons took place in Buea. So there is absolutely no place of saying Kumba, Bamenda or Foumban should host the event.
It should be made clear that even in the days of the German colonial administration in 1904 the capital of German Cameroon was transferred from Douala to Buea. So there is absolutely no reason why anybody should think of another place except Buea. As a historian, Buea is the natural host for the celebrations. It is now left for the politicians, Elites, Traditional leaders and the opinion leaders to lobby to get the Head of State announce the venue early enough.
SM: As some one who has written extensively on Cameroon history, what briefly are the reasons put forward by the politicians at the time that favored reunification.
PVGJ: For purpose of clarification, I wish to mention that reunification was the least popular option. The most popular option was secession and independence of Southern Cameroons as a separate entity, followed by independence in association with Nigeria. Reunification was the least popular option. The problem with reunification was that, the KNDP led by Dr. John Ngu Foncha was very smart and it tailored its messages according to the audience it was addressing at the time.
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