Memory Lane Video (February 11, 1961): The British Cameroons Plebiscite

UPDATE: Click here to watch video. (Youtube video embed not working)
Video erroneously labeled as 20th May 1972 West Cameroon plebiscite...

CAMEROON: Independence plebiscite

Reuters - 15 February 1961: A West African country divided in two..... this is likely to be the result of a plebiscite held in the Cameroons, on Feb. 11 and 12. Final results have yet to be announced, but in Northern Cameroons there is already an unbeatable majority in favour of union with Nigeria, while in the Southern Cameroons, it is reported that a final majority in favour of union with the Cameroon Republic is already certain.

The Cameroons, a trust territory divided into two areas and formerly administered as part of British Nigeria, was voting on becoming independent in union with either of its two already independent neighbours.-- the Nigerian Federation and the Cameroon Republic.

The plebiscite was conducted by Britain, as the administering authority, under United Nations supervision. The Cameroons, with a population of 1.6 million, is the British part of the old Cameroons which was captured from the Germans in 1916 and divided between France and Britain in 1919. Its capital is Buea, where there are still many reminders of German colonial days.

In Southern Cameroons, the vote in favour of union with the Cameroon Republic is regarded as a big victory for the Prime Minister, Mr. John Foncha, and his party. He claims that considerations of Cameroon nationality are more important than any material benefit that might be gained from joining Nigeria. The pro-Nigeria leader is ex-Premier Dr. E.M.L. Endeley.

British troops were drafted to the Cameroons some months ago, but no disturbances were reported during the voting. At the polling stations, voters dipped their finger in indelible ink for identification purposes.

Final results of the plebiscite will be put before the UN Assembly and a conference called to decide how the plebiscite decision is to be implemented.

Comments

[Wirba John Ngalim]

The UN cheated us of our rights to self rule. Now we want them to redress the situation by conducting a referandum on independence.

[Mola Mboa]

What is often not mentioned is the third option, the independence of the Southern Cameroons, and that this third option was the preferred option of both Foncha and Endeley. The British and the United Nations did not like that option.

[Edmund Njoh]

The problem is not what ought to be but what we are soppose to do.
If we cant who then can do it for us.