The Future Of Southern Cameroons: UN Hears Views Of Leaders (source: The Times of Feb 24 1959)
A unique event in the annals of the United Nations occurred today, when four speakers addressed the trusteeship committee of the General Assembly from Britain's seat. The occasion was the debate on what is going to happen to the British Cameroons when Nigeria becomes independent next year.
Sir Andrew Cohen. the British representative. introduced in turn Mr. J. N. Foncha, the new Premier of the Southern Cameroons, Dr. E. NI. L. Endeley. the former Premier who is now leader of the Opposition in the Southern Cameroons Assembly; and. to set out the views of the Northern Cameroons, Mallam Abdullahi Dan Buram Jada, Minister for Northern Cameroonian Affairs in the government of the Northern Region of Nigeria.
For Britain, as the administering authority of the territory. Sir Andrew Cohen expressed agreement with the view of the United Nations mission which recently visited the Cameroons: that the recent elections in the Southern part could not be regarded as decisive so far as the future of this part was concerned. and that a Plebiscite was necessary. The timing and the questions to be put would have to be determined by the United Nations Assembly and Britain in consultation, and so far as possible in agreement with the political parties in the Southern Cameroons House of Assembly.
Concerning the Northern Cameroons. Sir Andrew agreed with the visiting mission that sentiment for continued association with the Northern Region of Nigeria was so universal as to make no further formal consultation required or justified.
Mr. Foncha said that the House of Assembly and the majority of the people of the Southern Cameroons had given him a mandate to tell the United Nations that they wanted separation from the Federation of Nigeria before Nigeria became independent in 1960. They wanted the Southern Cameroons to continue for a short time under British trusteeship, administered separately from Nigeria, During this interim period the Southern Cameroons Government would explore the possibility and suitable terms of reunification with an independent French Cameroons in the form of a federation.
Dr. Endeley also agreed that a plebiscite should take place, but demanded that there should be a simple choice between continued association with Nigeria which he desired and unification with an independent French Cameroons. He argued against the proposal for continued trusteeship in the south.
Mallam Abdullahi Dan Buram Jada said it was "a matter of the most vital importance" to the people of the Northern Cameroons to remain with the northern region of Nigeria. with whom they had always had the strongest racial, historical. and economic connections.
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