6. Ruben Um Nyobe: Camerounian maquis, radical, and liberator, ca 1948–1958
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Walter Gam Nkwi
Abstract
This chapter focuses on the biography of Ruben Um Nyobe, a leading figure in colonial French Cameroun. He led the fight against French colonial rule from 1948, when he was at the centre of the formation of Union des Population du Camerounais (UPC), to 1958 when he was killed by French colonial forces. The chapter shows that his life was confronted with drastic changes in his environment, changes which saw him joining an opposition party against the French colonial administration and which were finally accompanied by conflict and the rupturing of the status quo ante. I position the chapter within the concept of radicalization-a slippery term depending on who uses it and in what context, and whose usage has provoked lively debates in academic discourse. Recently there has been an upsurge of Muslim fanatics who claim they want to purify the faith. Western politicians as well as scholars have come to brand these groups of Muslims as jihadist terrorists, and the word ‘radicalization’ has become central and almost a buzz word, connoting for people the ‘other’. Consequently, in most academic discourse and debate the word has become synonymous with reasons for violent action, terrorism, and actions opposed to democratic values as upheld by Western powers. However, the definition of the concept is more neutral that this, and its meaning is rather debatable, as I will show in this chapter.
Abstract
This chapter focuses on the biography of Ruben Um Nyobe, a leading figure in colonial French Cameroun. He led the fight against French colonial rule from 1948, when he was at the centre of the formation of Union des Population du Camerounais (UPC), to 1958 when he was killed by French colonial forces. The chapter shows that his life was confronted with drastic changes in his environment, changes which saw him joining an opposition party against the French colonial administration and which were finally accompanied by conflict and the rupturing of the status quo ante. I position the chapter within the concept of radicalization-a slippery term depending on who uses it and in what context, and whose usage has provoked lively debates in academic discourse. Recently there has been an upsurge of Muslim fanatics who claim they want to purify the faith. Western politicians as well as scholars have come to brand these groups of Muslims as jihadist terrorists, and the word ‘radicalization’ has become central and almost a buzz word, connoting for people the ‘other’. Consequently, in most academic discourse and debate the word has become synonymous with reasons for violent action, terrorism, and actions opposed to democratic values as upheld by Western powers. However, the definition of the concept is more neutral that this, and its meaning is rather debatable, as I will show in this chapter.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Table of Contents V
- 1. Introduction: Biographies of radicalization–hidden messages of social change 1
- 2. ‘The heavens have already burned’: Reflections on radicalism 15
- 3. Pathways to home-grown jihadism in the Netherlands: The Hofstadgroup, 2002–2005 25
- 4. How Muhammad al-Wali developed a radical definition of the unbeliever 39
- 5. The jihad of Sheikh Ahmet Ismael Bichara in Kouno: An example of an outbreak of extremism based on religion 51
- 6. Ruben Um Nyobe: Camerounian maquis, radical, and liberator, ca 1948–1958 65
- 7. ‘It’s the way we are moulded’ 85
- 8. Radicalization processes and trajectories in western Chad 103
- 9. Radicalization in northern Nigeria: Stories from Boko Haram 114
- 10. A rebel youth? Social media, charismatic leadership, and ‘radicalized’ youth in the 2015 Biafra protests 134
- 11. Hamadoun Koufa: Spearhead of radicalism in central Mali 152
- 12. Central Mali: Toward a Fulani question? 174
- 13. Central African refugee Mbororo nomads in Cameroon: Cultural hostages? 194
- 14. Islam and radicalization in Senegal: A response in female preaching 216
- 15. Legacies of political resistance in Congo-Brazzaville 230
- 16. ‘Give the Youth a Voice’: A reflection on the Rencontres V4T@Dakar, 15–18 November 2017 244
- List of Authors 256
- List of Abbreviations VII
- Acknowledgements IX
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Table of Contents V
- 1. Introduction: Biographies of radicalization–hidden messages of social change 1
- 2. ‘The heavens have already burned’: Reflections on radicalism 15
- 3. Pathways to home-grown jihadism in the Netherlands: The Hofstadgroup, 2002–2005 25
- 4. How Muhammad al-Wali developed a radical definition of the unbeliever 39
- 5. The jihad of Sheikh Ahmet Ismael Bichara in Kouno: An example of an outbreak of extremism based on religion 51
- 6. Ruben Um Nyobe: Camerounian maquis, radical, and liberator, ca 1948–1958 65
- 7. ‘It’s the way we are moulded’ 85
- 8. Radicalization processes and trajectories in western Chad 103
- 9. Radicalization in northern Nigeria: Stories from Boko Haram 114
- 10. A rebel youth? Social media, charismatic leadership, and ‘radicalized’ youth in the 2015 Biafra protests 134
- 11. Hamadoun Koufa: Spearhead of radicalism in central Mali 152
- 12. Central Mali: Toward a Fulani question? 174
- 13. Central African refugee Mbororo nomads in Cameroon: Cultural hostages? 194
- 14. Islam and radicalization in Senegal: A response in female preaching 216
- 15. Legacies of political resistance in Congo-Brazzaville 230
- 16. ‘Give the Youth a Voice’: A reflection on the Rencontres V4T@Dakar, 15–18 November 2017 244
- List of Authors 256
- List of Abbreviations VII
- Acknowledgements IX
