Samuel Ikome Sako facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Samuel Ikome Sako
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Sako in 2018
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| President of Ambazonia | |
| Assumed office 4 February 2018 (disputed) |
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| Preceded by | Sisiku Julius Ayuk Tabe |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 28 August 1966 |
Samuel Ikome Sako is a leader from Ambazonia, a region that wants to become an independent country. He is currently the president of the Interim Government of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia. This government is not recognized by most countries around the world.
He became president in February 2018. This happened about a month after the first president, Sisiku Julius Ayuk Tabe, was taken from Nigeria and moved to Cameroon. Later, in May 2019, Ayuk Tabe, while in custody, said he had removed Sako from his position. This decision led to a long-lasting disagreement over who should lead Ambazonia.
Before becoming president, Samuel Sako studied languages and religion. He is also a minister and a financial expert. He lived in the United States for many years. There, he worked with the government of Maryland and was a business consultant. He also led a group called the Community Humanitarian Emergency Board International (COHEB).
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Early Life and Work
Samuel Ikome Sako has always been involved in public life. From 1998, he worked as a consultant in the USA. He was also an activist and leader for community groups. Between 1992 and 2000, he wrote articles for newspapers.
Becoming President
After Samuel Sako became the interim president, he had an important goal. He wanted to bring together all the different groups fighting for Ambazonia's independence.
Uniting Groups
In March 2018, his government created the Ambazonia Self-Defence Council. This was a main group meant to include all the smaller fighting groups. While some groups joined, the Ambazonia Defence Forces decided not to.
New Plans and Promises
At the end of 2018, Sako gave a speech. He announced that the independence groups would change their approach. They would move from just defending themselves to taking more action. He also said a "Mobile Wing Police" would be formed. This group would try to protect areas and stop groups that were against them. He also promised to act against anyone involved in taking civilians, even if they were part of the independence movement.
Important Meetings
In March 2019, Sako went to a meeting in Washington, DC. Many Ambazonian groups attended this conference. They agreed to work together. This led to the creation of the Southern Cameroon Liberation Council.
Leadership Challenges
On May 2, 2019, a document appeared, signed by Ayuk Tabe. It said that Sako's government was no longer in charge. It claimed that Sako's team had done a good job but was now having too many disagreements. Sako's government did not accept this decision. They refused to step down. They said that Ayuk Tabe was being influenced by those holding him. In June 2019, another group, the Ambazonia Restoration Council, challenged Ayuk Tabe's leadership.
Talks for Peace
In June 2019, Samuel Sako confirmed that his government was willing to talk with the government of Cameroon. These talks would happen with help from Switzerland.
Changes in Title
By November 2019, reports said that Sako and his supporters had changed his title. He was now called "President" instead of "Acting Interim President." This showed their aim to lead Ambazonia permanently.
Recent Developments
In February 2022, Sako ordered a pause for the Restoration Council. This was the group that made laws for the Interim Government. He said they were not following the rules. A part of the Restoration Council then tried to remove Sako from his position. However, they did not succeed. This disagreement made the leadership issues even bigger. Later, in March 2022, a meeting in Washington DC changed the Restoration Council. It became an Interim House of Representatives. This new group was made up of members chosen from the 13 areas of Ambazonia.
