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THE WAY FORWARDS NETWORK

"In the gulf of Guinea where the continent of Africa curves to the west, a storm

is brewing. The question is whether the static created by the European

caricatures of Africa--as a place in perpetual war--will blind peace-and-justice

minded people to take a stand against the moral outrage that is fuelling the

storm, or whether we are going to ask the victims to suck it up?"

We are a network of organisations and individuals who signed the Dallas

Agenda Contract to pool together our human and material resources to support

communities struggling for the right to a life of peace, security and dignity, in

what was the former British Ambas Bay Colony and later the Southern

Cameroons; a people who have been robbed of their resources, deprived of

their land and independence.

First colonised in 1858 as the British Ambas Bay Colony, Britain gave the

territory to Germany in 1887 as payoff for land in the Middle East that both

countries were fighting over. The Germans promptly added the territory to theircolony Kamerun. When Germany lost WWI France took over Kamerun which

became French Cameroon and Britain regained control of the territory of

Ambas Bay which was eventually dubbed the United Nations Trust Territory of

Southern Cameroons under British administration (Anglophone Cameroon).

Initially considered unimportant territory, Anglophone Cameroon was allowed

to develop the necessary process of development of self-governing structures

that eventually led to parliamentary elections and formation of democratic

governments in 1954 and 1959. Things changed with the kickoff of the

decolonisation movement. The British wanted to hold onto the newlydiscovered oil in Nigeria by imposing their lackey Tafawa Balewa as the first

president of an independent Nigeria. They became suspicious that Nigerian

activists could contemplate using an independent Anglophone Cameroon next


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self-government like the National Produce Marketing Board, Santa Tea &

Coffee Estate, the CDC, Powercam, and Cambank were broken-up; their

reserves were pillaged and heavy machinery was either transferred to French

Cameroon or left to rot.

The annexation has been followed by brutal repression against AnglophoneCameroon citizens. The victims of this struggle range from the

assassinated former Prime Minister Augustine Ngom Jau to an unborn baby

who died when a French Cameroon soldier kicked her mom in the stomach in

the town of Kumbo in 1997. French Cameroon nationalism is today defined

simply by its opposition to the quest of Anglophone Cameroon citizens for their

rights to self-determination, freedom of expression and association. A handful

of shameless, greedy, opportunistic Anglophone Cameroon citizens is allowing

itself to be used as window dressing and public relations stunts in the wake of

an ever inventive resistance to the blatant exploitation.

It was against this back drop that independent activists and organisations in

their struggle for the emancipation of the oppressed peoples of Anglophone

Cameroon convened in Dallas-Mesquite from April 20 to 22, 2007 to create the

Way Forwards Network (WFN) as an open space for collaboration on an equal

footing to end the French Cameroon annexation, while building a modern

movement that commits itself to the principles of consensus decision making

and non hierarchical organising.

The Way Forwards Network (WFN) intends to

1. Serve as a catalyst to spur our people to end this pain-filled episode of our

history, by restoring our right to independence and a life free of the specter of


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the French Cameroon neo-colonial regime.

2. Put to rest the cult of personality worship which has created the mentality of

first stressing who should be the leader, rather than "what is to be done". For

who can deny that for over 20 years since our struggle got out of the closet, we

are still trapped in the muddy waters of who should be the leader?

3. Develop participatory structures to end the practice whereby some

individuals make decisions in lieu and in the name of the people without the

possibility for ordinary people to participate in the discussions or processes. To

this end promote a culture of using consensus decision making processes within

non-hierarchical structures.

4. Develop a movement that involves and respects the grassroots by

empowering individuals and groups to develop their own voices and participate

in deciding the destiny of their communities by using the consensus decision-

making processes as well as non-hierarchical structures.

We will serve as an antithesis to the power structure of the neo-colonial

Cameroon regime as we struggle to liberate ourselves. We will develop and

encourage new ways of conducting the business of our peoples emancipation.

Ways that affirm the principles of democracy, transparency and grass roots

participation in decision-making processes. Ways that will get rid of the static

hierarchies which have served only the few who --sometimes through

treachery--managed to get themselves to the top of these hierarchies.

PRINCIPLES OF UNITY

2.1. We considers the participation of ordinary citizens in the decision-making

processes a prerequisite for building a durable, free and just society.


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2.2. We consider consensus decision-making the most democratic form of

decision making, as it takes away the sly practice of imposing ones view by

attacking those of others. As opposed to proposing better alternatives.

2.3. We recognise that a prerequisite for participation in the decision-making

process of any affiliate group involved with the WFN is the contribution of

an individual's efforts and resources to the affiliate group.

2.4. We shall be committed to the development of non-hierarchical and anti-

authoritarian relationships: to develop a pattern and practice, consistent with

the mission and purposes of the WFN, and to be each others keeper.

Sacrifice for the struggle is about the ideal and not about leverage to lord it

over the others. Each persons role is a duty and not a position of authority to

exact obedience.

2.5. We will be committed to the principle of human equality, and shall not

discriminate on the bases of tribe, place of Birth, place of origin of parents,

sex, religion or any such criteria. Concomitantly, all shall work together,

collectively to decide policy in regards to dealing with those who spread hate

based on tribe or any of the above. People shall be judged by the content of

their character and not their background.

2.6. While taking threats to members security into consideration, we shall

strive to be open to everybody in the community who wishes to participate in

our work.

2.7. Cognisant of the vast and varied cultures and traditions practiced within

our communities, we shall be committed to building diversity along broad

socio-cultural lines.

ARTICLE 3: Membership Criteria


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3.1. Membership in the network requires individuals to AGREE to the words

and spirit of the Network's Mission and Principles of Unity.

3.2. Membership in any affiliate group of the Network shall be determined by

the members of that particular group, as they know their locality/group better.

ARTICLE 4: NETWORK STRUCTURE

4.1. The WFN is made up of the Peoples General Assembly and five Standing

Committees. Except for the Networking Committee, each committee shall

comprise 5 persons. The Committees shall each choose a liaison for the

Networking Committee. The liaison serves like a bridge between their

committee and the networking committee, taking information to and fro from

their committee.

ARTICLE 5: PROCESS

5.1. We shall strive to make all decisions in the WFN by consensus both in the

Peoples General Assembly, Committees and temporary Working Groups. All

decisions made by consensus within the Network can only be changed by

another consensus.

5.2. But if the Peoples' General Assembly falls short of consensus on an issue, a

simple majority of the Assembly shall decide that issue; however, anyone in the

proceedings can write and append his or her strong objection to the written

majority decision on the issue, and that shall become part of the consensus onthe issue.

5.3. When proposed, the People's General Assembly may quickly appoint a

Working Group to investigate any particular issue and report the findings to the

People's Assembly later. The Assembly can then make a decision based on that


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report.

5.4. Each Committee is expected to confer and select a scribe and a facilitator,

and to rotate these roles amongst the members every six months.

5.5. Each Committee shall update the People's Assembly mailing-list at least

once every six months on its work. This update shall be due on June 30 and

December 30.

ARTICLE 6: THE PEOPLE'S GENERAL ASSEMBLY (PLENARY)

6.1. The Peoples General Assembly shall meet once a year at the Annual

Convention in a series of plenary. The Assembly shall be composed of all

members of the Way Forward Network (WFN). The PGA shall be the venue

where all major decisions of the Network are made. The PGA shall define the

tasks of the Networking Committee for the coming year.

ARTICLE 7: THE NETWORKING COMMITTEE

7.1. The Networking Committee shall have the task of the day-today running of

the network between the Annual Conventions.

7.1 (b) Each organisation involved in the network shall delegate a Liaison to

represent the organisation or group in the Networking Committee. The PGA

shall delegate independent delegates to the Networking Committee.

7.1 (c) Each member of the Networking Committee, whether independent or

affiliated to an organisation, shall make the necessary $500 ground payment.

7.1 (d) The Networking Committee shall assist cities hosting the annualConvention.

7.1 (e) The Networking Committee shall decide the projects to be funded and

authorise the Finance Committee to release the funds. However the projects and

their priorities will have been authorised by the PGA, except for unpredictable

ones. So applications for funds shall be made to the Networking Committee by


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organisations, other Committees or Sub- Committees. The PGA shall identify

WF tasks for the coming year, and then organisations or Committees shall

submit applications to the Networking Committee to fulfill the task.

7.1 (f) The Networking Committee shall store records of projects that it has

funded, including evaluation reports, receipts, etc.

7.1 (g) Applications for funding shall be written to include a budget with

criteria for measuring success or progress of the project. Each application shalldescribe (a) the background of the project, (b) its relation to the Way Forwards

Network (that is to independence), and (c) a time frame for completing it.

7.1 (h) when an organisation requests funding, it shall indicate the amount it

has already raised for the project. After receiving the written application, the

Networking Committee shall assign one of its members to serve as a Sponsor

for the project. The Sponsor makes contacts with the organisation and learn/

understand the feasibility of the project. The Sponsor shall then file a feasibility

report with the Committee which will decide by consensus if the project should

be funded. If the decision is to fund the project, the Scribe of the Networking

Committee shall send the approved application to the Finance Committeewhich shall then disburse the funds.

7.1 (i) The group or Committee presents a written evaluation report at the end

of the project and submit it, with supporting receipts, to the Finance

Committee.

ARTICLE 8: THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

8.1 The Finance Committee's tasks shall include raising funds, mobilising other

resources, keeping the accounts of the Network and ensuring transparency

through good book keeping.8.2 The Finance Committee shall disburse funds as approved by the

Networking Committee.

8.3 The Finance Committee shall coordinate fund raising initiatives. For

example, it shall appoint sub-committees as needed; such as a sub-committee


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for reaching to cultural groups etc.

8.4 The Finance Committee shall manage WFN bank accounts.

ARTICLE 9: THE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE

9.1 In broad terms, the International Relations Committee shall create

relationships between the WFN and organisations, cultural groups, student

groups, and individuals.

9.2 The International Relations Committee shall appoint (a) to identify

international entities who are natural allies of struggles like ours; (b) to identify

the ways in which the WFN must support such allies in developing reciprocity;

(c) sub-committees to generate actions by international entities. Such actions

could include resolutions against the culprit regime in Yaound, the cutting off

of support to that regime, and international demonstrations of solidarity with

victims of that regime -- like students the regime routinely shoots at peaceful

demonstrations, civilians the regime routinely kills and brutalises, and activiststhe regime assassinates.

ARTICLE 10: THE COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

10.1 The Communications Committee shall word and phrase documents --

especially press releases-- to achieve specific objectives of the WFN.

10.2 The Communications Committee shall produce a monthly newsletter and

an on-line audio/video news blast (news reel).

10.3 The Communications Committee shall handle relations with the press--issuing press releases, delegating WFN members to talk to the press (after

preparing them in committee), etc.

10.4 The Communications Committee shall delegate an Outreach Sub-

Committee. Its tasks shall include to (a) mobilise our public and the

international public to become involved in our struggle (aggressively distribute


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media content produced by the Communications Committee), (b) move us into

events likely to expose our cause to groups and organisations involve in the

global social justice movement.

ARTICLE 11: THE TRACK & TRACE COMMITTEE

11.1 The Track & Trace Committee shall pursue; accountability from theFrench Cameroon regime by

(a) Monitoring the movements of members of this regime;

(b) Documenting assassinations by agents of this regime;

(c) Investigating the financial holdings of members of this regime in

accomplice foreign corporations;

(d) Documenting torture and other human rights abuses of our citizens by

agents of this regime;

(e) Documenting this regime's shootings of students, citizens, and others;

(f) Bringing law suits against this regime's perpetrators of crimes

against our people;(g) Sustaining pressure on this coloniser.

The Networking Committee-

The coordinating Committee of the Way Forward Network (WFN).


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Way Forward Network

Documents

Transcript of Way Forward Network