Samuel Ikome Sako (born 1966) is an Ambazonian politician and the current leader of one of the main factions of the Interim Government of Ambazonia. An ordained minister and financial consultant who lived in the United States for many years, he rose to leadership in February 2018 following the arrest and extradition of the movement’s first president, Sisiku Ayuk Tabe.
Key Biographical Information
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Samuel Ikome Sako |
| Born | August 28, 1966, British Southern Cameroons |
| Political Office | President of the Interim Government (Disputed since 2019) |
| Predecessor | Sisiku Julius Ayuk Tabe |
| Base of Ops | United States (Exile) |
| Current Status | Active; claiming “victory” over Cameroonian forces in late 2025 |
| Profession | Theologian, Minister, and Financial Professional |
Rise to the Presidency
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Election in Exile: After Sisiku Ayuk Tabe was abducted in Nigeria in January 2018, the remaining Ambazonian leadership in the diaspora held an “electoral college” to select a replacement. Sako was elected to lead the Interim Government (IG) in February 2018.
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Shift to Offensive: Under Sako, the movement’s strategy shifted. While the original IG focused on non-violence, Sako announced in late 2018 that the struggle would move from a “defensive” to an “offensive” strategy, attempting to coordinate various local militias under the Ambazonia Self-Defence Council (ASC).
The “Leadership Crisis” (2019–Present)
Sako’s tenure has been defined by a deep and bitter internal rift that has split the separatist movement into warring political factions.
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Dismissal from Prison: In May 2019, from his prison cell in Yaoundé, Sisiku Ayuk Tabe issued a document declaring the dissolution of Sako’s cabinet, citing infighting and incompetence.
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Refusal to Step Down: Sako and his supporters rejected the order, arguing that a leader in captivity is under duress and has no legal authority to dismiss an elected government. This created two rival Interim Governments: the “Sako IG” (based in the diaspora) and the “Ayuk Tabe IG” (supported by those loyal to the imprisoned leader).
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Impeachments and Fragmentation: The rivalry intensified in 2022 when a legislative body called the Restoration Council attempted to “impeach” Sako. Sako responded by suspending the council. By late 2025, the movement remains fractured into multiple groups, including those led by Ayaba Cho Lucas and Marianta Njomia.
Recent Developments (Late 2025)
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Declaration of “Victory”: In a major speech on September 30, 2025 (ahead of Ambazonia’s symbolic independence day on October 1), Sako proclaimed that the separatist forces had “won the war” against President Paul Biya’s military. He characterized the Cameroonian army as “demoralized” and urged the international community to recognize Ambazonian sovereignty.
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Boycott of 2025 Elections: Sako spearheaded a “near-total” boycott of the 2025 Cameroonian presidential elections in the Anglophone regions, claiming a 95% stay-at-home rate as proof that the territory is no longer governed by Yaoundé.
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Constituent Assembly: He recently launched the Ambazonia Stakeholders Constituent Assembly (ASCA), intended to be a supreme organ to coordinate diplomacy and prepare for the final “restoration” of the state.
Despite these proclamations, Sako remains a controversial figure within the movement. While he controls significant diaspora funding and diplomatic networks, his rivals accuse his administration of financial misappropriation and failing to achieve unity on the ground.