45 years since Ernest Ouandié’s assassination

On January 15, 1971, at age 47, Ernest Ouandié, Vice-President of the Cameroon populations Union (UPC) was killed in a gunfire at the public square in Bafoussam by a squad of snipers.

He had previously been on "trial" for rebellion and treason, following which he was sentenced to death.

As theChairman of the Revolutionary Committee and Chief of Staff of the fighter wing of the party, he was one of the last figures of the party chased by the power of Ahmadou Ahidjo, who had declared UPC illegal since 1955.

He was arrested on August 19, 1970, in Mbanga, and subjected to harsh interrogation conducted masterfully by John Fochivé, then all-powerful police boss.

He was introduced by state radio as a traitor of the Republic, and his sentence was pronounced before the trial.

Before him, other leaders had already passed through the hatch rule of the Ahidjo’s government, supported by the colonial power. They were Um Nyobé September 3, 1958, Felix-Roland Moumie October 15, 1960, and Ossendé Afana on March 10, 1966.

Reportedly, on the day of his execution, Ouandié refused to be blindfolded, as usually done, preferring to face death in the face.

According to his executors, his death was the end of the UPC party. But, Ahidjo and his French supporters were wrong; the revolutionary seed was deeper in the people than they imagined.