GUERRILLA STRUGGLE IN CAMEROUN
The former French colony of Cameroun was granted formal independence January 1, 1960. On October 1, 1961, the British Cameroons, following a United Nations referendum, joined up to constitute the Federal Republic of Cameroons. [Both areas were part of the German colony of Kamerun which was seized by the French and British in 1916 as one of the prizes of World War I,] But the new country is not a happy one, Frenchtroops arcstill there. They constitute the real power behind the puppet government of Ahmadou Ahidjo.
"Laws of a fascist character keep the people completely without liberties," Mbog Charles, representative of the Popular Union of the Cameroons *Lurc], ‘explained during a recent visit to London, "Kamerunians must have passes to travel from one town to the next, and visits to towns are limited, Curfews cover the whole country. The political party of Ahidjo forbids all other political organizations. The economy of the country, with its large French investments, is subjected to the control of France and other powers. French air | and NATO military bases control the country." a
‘The UPC representative cited the following examples of ropressive actions against the people: -—
"On February 1, 1962, 25 political prisoners were put into a sealed compartment on the Dovala-Yaoundi train and suffocated, Dead on arrival, they were hurried to e common grave without funeral services, and the newspaper which reported the matter was seized and the director was expelled Baked the Kamerun,
"On Moy 1, 1963, in the NDE region, 50, 000 poasants | were rem moved from their’ homes because this sector was declared a 'tprohibited area,! oe
"On October 25, 1963, the National Assembly passed Law No. 60/ PJL/ANF, which allowed military tribunals to pass sentence of death or hard labor in perpetuity on all found guilty of having’ 'spread rumors or made comments or proposals prejudicial to the reginie,!
"In January, 1964, 15 people were publicly executed in Douala, Edea, Bafoussam, and Buea, and other places, of whom 10 were executed in the single day of January Se
“Although the last elections on April 26, 1964, were reported to have been held without incident, several people were in fact killed during incidents, This was not unusual, as there. have boen people killed in all the elections in Kamerun since 1955, ,
"Thousands of people are in concentration camps and prisons in Yoko, Douala, Edea and Dschang.
"Nowspapers are often proscribed and seized, while political
parties or trade unions not recognized by the regime are outlawed, and their leaders detained, exiled or imprisoned,"
A militant opposition to the regime has organized armed units to fight for freedom, These are active in about one-third of the region. They have been met with savage measures but are continuing their struggle,
The aims of the Popuiar Union of the Cameroons were outlined — by Mbog Charles as follows:
"Withdrawal of foreign troops and military technicians, closure of the concentration camps, abolition of the 'prohibited zones,!
_ "General and unconditional amnesty for political acts since 1955,
Napolition of the agreements which place Kamerun under the domination of foreign powers,
"Restoration of democratic and trade-union rights, abrogation of the laws on the 'state of emergency,' etc., and the withdrawal of cases against Kamerunians, whether at home or abroad,
"Dissolution of the Assembly and fresh elections."
ALEXANDER CASE WITNESSES