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 |
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| Born | 28 August 1966 |
Samuel Ikome Sako is a leader from a region called Ambazonia. This area is trying to become an independent country, but many other countries do not officially recognize it. He became the president of their temporary government in 2018. This happened after the first president, Sisiku Julius Ayuk Tabe, was taken by force. Later, the former president, while held captive, said he had removed Sako from his role. This started a long-running disagreement about who should lead Ambazonia.
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Who is Samuel Ikome Sako?
His Background and Early Work
Samuel Sako studied different subjects like languages and religion. He is also a Christian minister and helps people with advice. He has worked as a financial expert. For many years, he lived in the United States. There, he worked with the government of Maryland. He also worked as a business advisor and was a top leader (CEO) of a company. He was also the former president of a group called the Community Humanitarian Emergency Board International (COHEB).
Samuel Ikome Sako has always been involved in public life. He worked as a business advisor in the USA. From 1998, he was an activist and leader for civil society groups. He also wrote articles for newspapers from 1992 to 2000.
Becoming President
After becoming the temporary president, one of Sako's main goals was to unite different groups. These groups were fighting for Ambazonia's independence. In March 2018, his government created the Ambazonia Self-Defence Council. This was a group meant to bring all these fighting groups together. While some groups joined, others, like the Ambazonia Defence Forces, chose not to.
At the end of 2018, Sako gave a speech. He said that the groups fighting for independence would change their plans. They would move from just defending themselves to taking action. He announced plans to create a "Mobile Wing Police." This group would try to take and hold land. They would also work to stop groups that supported the government. He also promised to act against anyone who kidnapped people, even if they were part of the independence movement.
In early 2019, Sako went to a meeting in Washington, DC. Many different Ambazonian groups attended this meeting. They agreed to work together. This led to the creation of the Southern Cameroon Liberation Council.
Challenges and Leadership Disputes
On May 2, 2019, a document appeared from Sisiku Julius Ayuk Tabe. It said that Sako's temporary government was no longer in charge. It claimed that Ayuk Tabe's own government, from before he was taken, was back. The document said Sako's group had done a good job. However, it claimed that disagreements within the group made it unable to continue. It said the group had "lost the ability to bring our people together."
Sako's government did not accept this decision. They refused to step down. They said that Ayuk Tabe was acting under pressure from those holding him captive. In June 2019, another group, the Ambazonia Restoration Council, tried to remove Ayuk Tabe from his position. They accused him of "treasonous misconduct." However, this action was criticized by Ayaba Cho Lucas, another leader, who supported Ayuk Tabe.
In June 2019, Sako confirmed that his government would talk with the government of Cameroon. These talks would happen with Switzerland helping as a neutral party.
In November 2019, some reports said that Sako and his supporters changed his title. He went from "Acting Interim President" to "President." This showed their aim to permanently replace Ayuk Tabe, even if he was released.
In February 2022, Sako ordered a pause for the Restoration Council. This group was the law-making part of his government. He said they were acting against the rules and making unfair decisions. A part of the Restoration Council then tried to remove Dr. Sako from his position. They made claims against him but did not hold a public trial. This made the leadership dispute even bigger.
Later, in March 2022, a meeting took place in Washington DC. This meeting changed the Restoration Council. It became an "Interim House of Representatives." Members for this new group were chosen from the 13 areas of Ambazonia. After this, some members of the old Restoration Council declared Marianta Njomia as President.
