On 1 December every year, War Resisters’ International (WRI) provides the names and addresses of people imprisoned for their nonviolent work for peace and justice. Most of the prisoners on the list in 2021 are Jehovah’s Witnesses (who refuse military service).
In 2019, WRI started featuring the details of campaigners from Ambazonia, the English-speaking territory within Cameroon.
The French-speaking authorities in Cameroon have been trying to take away the autonomy of Ambazonia and, among other things, impose French law and the French language. This sparked a general strike and many other forms of struggle.
The Cameroonian state has convicted and imprisoned nonviolent Ambazonian activists on charges including terrorism, secession, rebellion and the propagation of false news.
The following (English-speaking) Ambazonian prisoners for peace are listed on the WRI website. All can be written to at the same maximum security prison address:
Prison Principale Kondengui
BP 100,
YAOUNDÉ,
Cameroon
Ambazonian prisoners:
- Awah Thomas,
- Aselech Martin,
- Barrister Eyambe Elias,
- Barrister Shufai Berinyuy,
- Dr Cornelius Njikimpi Kwanga,
- Dr Egbe Ogork,
- Dr Fidelis Ndeh-Che,
- Dr Henry Kimeng,
- Dr Nfor Ngalla Nfor,
- Guingah Valentine,
- Mancho Bibixy,
- Mr Julius AyukTabe,
- Mr Wilfred Tassang
- Penn Terence Khan,
- Professor Augustine Awasum,
- Tamngwa Martin,
- Tha Emile Angwe,
- Tsi Conrad.
Before writing:
WRI have some suggestions and guidelines. In general, in writing your card, think about what you would like to receive if you were in prison.
- Remember to send your card in an envelope
- Include a return name and address on the envelope
- Be chatty and creative: send photos from your life or drawings
- Let the prisoners know what you are doing to stop war and war preparations
- Avoid writing anything that might get the prisoner into trouble
- Try not to begin your correspondence with: ‘You are so brave, I could never do what you have done’
- Remember that the prisoner may not be able to reply