Martin-Paul Samba, born Mebenga m'Ebono (c. 1875 – 8 August 1914) was a Bulu military officer during the Imperial German colonial period of Cameroon.

M'Ebono became a favourite of the German colonials during his upbringing in Kribi, a coastal settlement in southern Cameroon.

[2] Mebenga m'Ebono was born circa 1875 in a village known as Metoutou-Engong, near Ebolowa in what is today the South Province of Cameroon.

In 1885, Ebono sent Mebenga to be raised by Banoho Issamba, a Batanga man who had come to prominence as a trader in the coastal settlement of Kribi.

[6] For the next seven years, he accompanied German expeditions under the command of Hans Dominik to explore the Kamerun hinterland and subjugate native resistance.

The two decided to request aid from Germany's enemies, Samba to contact the French, and Manga Bell the British.

Samba even requested weapons from the German themselves, ostensibly to ward off Ewondo unrest that had led to some uprisings north of Bululand.

By July 1914, the colonial forces were suspicious enough to search his home, where they found numerous receipts for arms purchases from British and French suppliers.

[8] At the outbreak of World War I in 1914, Samba sent a letter to the French forces at Brazzaville stating his intent to rebel and requesting aid against the Germans.