Editorial

Many people have been questioning the motive behind the arrest of CCP's Leader Edith Kahbang Walla, and we just thought we could do a slight briefing on it.After the train derailment of Friday Oct. 21st 2016, Edith got more furious at the government,exposing their incompetency in the management of the country, and asked Cameroonian to STANDUP more than ever to fight for safety on our roads, in a Press Release of Oct. 22nd 2016.

In the rest of her press release, she was seemingly campaigning for her party, while calling on Cameroonians to join the Cameroon's People Party and protest for a "Political Transition of the Government". The Press Released ended by inviting Cameroonians to watch out for coming instructions, that will be communicated on the necessary actions that would be taken to protest against Government's irresponsibilities on the safety and security of Cameroonians.It is in this light that on Oct. 27th 2016, Mawo Serge, militant of the CPP took to their CPP's Facebook page in this words: "To say that the Biya's government is a failure would be agross understatement.

A president that has no interest in the welfare of his citizens (the recent disastrous train accident is a classic example). I prefer not to state how the minister of communication falsely and shamefully blamed the road collapse and the train disaster on boko haram; worse he claimed that the said boko haram members responsible had been apprehended.This same Francophone led government of Cameroon has literally ignored the ongoing sit-in strike of the Anglophone lawyers (on which the strike is basically a fight against all forms of assimilation of all Anglophones by the Francophones) and better the lives of more than 5 million of her"citizens".

We the CCLL have also since resolved that the strke shall continue indefinitely except and until all our demands are met. These demands are contained in the CCLL conferences 1 & 2 resolutions and in the communiqué calling for this strike.The gist of these resolutions is that:

1. We want a return to the Federal system of government we voted for in the plebiscite of 11th February, 1961. That is two independent nations of equal status having full independence uniting as a Federation of states;
2. We want to have a southern Cameroons National Assembly to enable us make our own laws and other legislation;
3. We want a perfect Common law legal system for Southern Cameroons, ie having her own law school to train lawyers. To nominating and confirming via our own House of Assembly, judges of the lowest to the highest courts, ie including a Southern Cameroons Supreme Court;
4. We want to be able to decide onour educational parth and future which primarily favours technical education;
5. We of course demand the use of English language as the sole working language of Southern Cameroons;
6. We want to manage all our natural resources e.g petroleum, timber etc, and direct FD investment and development; and
7. We want to have the possibility of breaking away from the Union with French Cameroon if it becomes at anytime the wish of the majority of Southern Cameroonians.We are calling on all Anglophone Cameroonians to stand with us and fight by us to achieve these objective. Together we shall succeed.The time is now.
If you support the above objective please share this on all social media available to you".
Based on this and the others enumerated in Kah Walla's STANDUP call in her Press Release of Oct. 22nd, CPP converged on Oct. 28 at their Head Office in Yaounde, and that was where the Forces of Law and Order stumped the place brutalized and arrested Edith and some of her militants and took them to the Yaounde 4th District Police Station.They were later released late in the night following intense pressure from high places.It should be noted that Cameroons have accusing Edith Kah Walla for taking advantage of the grieving situation in the country to multiply her campaign strategies."How does an accident become political even though there was negligence, if they could win parliamentary seat then they couldchange the system and make safety controls stringent. All this stomach politics" , one angry Cameroonian asked.

Cameroontoday

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Rita Akana

30.Oct.2016

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YOUR MOTION OF SUPPORT TO PRESIDENT PAUL BIYA IS PROVOCATIVE AND UNREALISTIC, TAKE A LOOK AT THE BELOW STATISTIC.

Dear Southern Cameroon Senior Elites.

 

Anglophones in and out of Cameroon say they are marginalized, yes that notion is true and there is growing bitterness and resentment. Anglophones says they are gradually losing their culture, heritage, judicial system, rights and respect. I write to you with a heavy burden in my heart for our people, i am not written as an SCNC member but i doing so as a concerned Southern Cameroonian.

Senior Anglophone Elites reflect on these statistics, Anglophone Cameroon contributes 30-40% of the National GDP but yet only 5% of its roads have bitumen or tarred. Out of the 8% percent tarred roads, 2% goes to Fako Division and Meme and Manyu shares 2% and North West Region takes 4% divided as follows Tiko- Limbé 90 km Mutengene – Kumba : 90 km Mutengene – Buea, 240 km Limbé – Idenau, 16 km Bamenda - Bambui – Fundong : 90 km Bamenda - Batibo : 40 km Kumbo – Ntaba, Bamenda-Ekog( Internationally funded), lastly the ongoing construction road Kumba- Mamfe. Many of Anglophone Divisions and sub-Divisions have never seen butimen or tarred road. Worst hit is the Kupe-Muaneguba which is just 10km to Littoral from Loum and 20km from Melon, Ndian Division, Akwaya Sub- Division, Lebialem, Ngoketonja , farms to market roads zero, just to name but a few.

Other developments like hydro-power/electricity hydro-power dam of Edéa (extensions) - Song Loulou – Lagdo, réservoir Mbakaou – Bamendjin – Maga – Tchidifi Mokolo. Littoral, hydro power of Mapé – Pipeline( water) – Mbalmayo, Yaoundé, Douala - Pipeline (pétrol) Tchad-Cameroun and energy transportation Lagdo-Ngaoundéré. All petrol constructed depot are all in the Francophone territory.
Airports and Stadiums, airports were constructed by President Ahidjo in Douala, Yaoundé, Garoua Construction of Bertoua aero=drum, Ngaoundére, Maroua, Construction of Mvomeka and Bafoussam. What do the Anglophones carry home, Bamenda air-strip.

In Stadium development, Omnisport: Yaoundé Douala, Garoua, Bafoussam. What is for the Anglophones the poor/low standard/low capacity stadium in Limbe without a shelter to prevent spectators from getting wet during football match.

Health and education, Anglophones have no reference hospital, the general hospitals that exist are housed in an all out dated buildings and ill equipped as compared to the reference hospitals we have in the Francophone territory. Thank God for the just painted Buea General hospital.

Education is a night mare, primary, secondary and high schools established in every village there by destroying the standard of Anglophone standard of education as compared to the Francophone territory and most often as is the case in-adequate staff, Poor teaching environment, heavy burden to PTA to build classrooms, hire untrained staff and to provide other amenities.

Senior Citizens of Southern Cameroon, let’s not fool ourselves Anglophones are classified as third class citizens as compared to the second class apportioned? There are many Anglophones who are super intelligent and conversant in French language, more than many our Fracophones brothers.
Anglophones, why can any of our Sons and Daughters never be president of Cameroon.
How can Anglophones explain that for 56 years, since independence an Anglophone Son/Daughter has never been appointed to the ministry of Finance, Foreign Affairs, Minister of Territorial Administration, defence or Chief Justice of Cameroon? Look at the disproportions, in numbers of Anglophone Generals, Governors, SDOs, Secretary Generals, Chief Executives of Government Corporations and parastatals. There is an unwritten code that these positions would never revert to Anglophones. Even when Anglophones are given any good Position is basically ceremonial e.g the Post of Prime Minister, the Francophone regime must always have a top Francophone as a spy or a super Secretary General. Cameroon has a Cabinet of more 70 Ministers, Secretaries of State and Directors, only 3% are Anglophones and they hold insignificant position. When an Anglophone is Prime Minister the constitution is changed against Anglophone becoming President in the case when there is a vacuum at the Presidency.

In a country of over 250 tribes (CABTAL) with 60 ministers from 10 regions, the Centre and South regions (2 tribes) have 30 ministers. Mr. Biya would still be appointing people from the same area into his new government. Even people who have tarnished their records are promoted simply because they come from Biya’s region and speak his language. Mr. Biya’s boys are building personal edifices which are larger than the ministerial departments they are managing. Some have built industries in foreign countries and have expatriated funds to foreign banks.
Please old folks talk and liberate your people, The Regime has no power over you and I suggest you voice your mind or identify with History before you and your family go on the unpopular lane of History.

Senior Anglophones Elites do not think that if Anglophones are hit, that you and your house whole will be excluded. The ethnic tendencies in Cameroon are not just a reflection of attachment to ones area of origin but negative tribalism, which sees the other-lines as the enemy in the house. Anglophones have been presented by top ranking Biya supporters as enemies in the house without Mr. Biya reacting to sanction them. Anglophones have been threatened by a serving minister of expulsion from Yaounde if they dared oppose the Biya regime without condemnation from Biya. Minister Mama Fouda wrote the famous letter from Mfoundi elites in 2008 threatening to chase Anglophones with clubs and local weapons.
20 years from the Rwandan genocide that claimed nearly one million moderate Hutus and Tutsis, Mr. Biya supporters still behave like some Cameroonians do not belong in Cameroon once they challenge Biya’s regime.
There is no love and respect for the Anglophone, Many at times Anglophones are called Biafrians. Those plundering the country are all from the same region, and Biya knows this. Tribalism militates in his choice of his ministers and directors.

All Economic and Projected Emergence is for the East Cameroon. For no economic reason or wisdom, Mr. Biya has destroyed all the infrastructure of West Cameroon. Cameroon Bank, POWERCAM (generated and distributed electricity to West Cameroon), WADA (produced tons of cereals in Wum area, West Cameroon), PMO-Marketing Board (subsidized agriculture and maintained farm to market roads) and many other projects like Tiko and Bota seaports which do not need drenching to remove sand, Etam and Kumba saw mill, West Cameroon Bank, West Cameroon Development Agency, Cameroon bank: Amity Bank and the list go and on and on. You can not kill part of the country to subjugate it and expect growth.

The eye of the Francophone regime is clicking again, this time CDC, PAMOL and the GCE board are the target. Manager of SNH boldly declares that oil revenue is an affair between him and the head of state. The same oil that have rendered the soil of the Coastal Anglophone areas infertile, inhabitable, water undrinkable, aquatic life almost to nothing and Anglophones living in these areas are grounded no roads, poverty has increased and life is now unbearable.

The Francophone-led government of Cameroon has furnished the country with two national anthems, which does not favour national unity and integration and the English version of the anthem differs from the French version. The sudden return of the name La Republic Du Cameroun, the name East Cameroon got independent from the United Republic of Cameroon is a clear message to Anglophones.

The Onus is for you the Senior Elites of Anglophone Cameroon to battle on fixing Article 2 of the Foumban Constitution authorizing the holding of a referendum to revise it. Solve these post independent problems before you all go to be with the creator because after you are all gone there will be no witnesses to testify and rectify this live facts. History is interesting but delicate subject because the past we are writing about is never dead to the present and also because it is written and re-written. Whoever thinks that the dead do not bite and that the past is gone for good does not think history. In 1984, Mr. Paul Biya unilateral changed the name of Cameroon from United Republic of Cameroon to The Republic of Cameroon, the name with which French Cameroon got independence. English speaking Cameroon are seeing this as a very undemocratic move and they considered it the suppression of minorities and the unity declared at the Foumban Conference

Southern Cameroon Elites, you have the Power to push for a better Cameroon for your Children; I still think and very optimistic that you can push for the creation of an independent electoral commission rather than the NEO or ELECAM (Our people says if water over stays its visit in the mouth its risk becoming saliva). Fix Anglophone problem, my old Southern Cameroonian Elites .

Senior Citizens of Southern Cameroon, there’s nothing wrong in praising someone who merits praise but in the case of Mr. Paul Biya and the CPDM regime, I am short of words why he must be praised.

I wish to remind you how Anglophones found themselves in this dilemma. Anglophone is neither a region nor a tribe but it’s a state duly recognized by the UN, OUA (AU) and in the books. East Cameroon became independent on 1st January 1960 and Nigeria to which Southern and Northern Cameroon were attached also gained independence from Britain on 1st October 1960. On 11 February 1961 the UN conducted a plebiscite in Northern and Southern Cameroon to determine whether Cameroonians wanted to be independent by joining the Federal Republic of Nigeria or the Republic of Cameroon. Northern and Western Cameroon is one Nation that was forced to join East Cameroon by President Ahidjo.

The results of the plebiscite which should have been counted as one for the whole British territory were splited and counted separately between North and South Cameroon. The north voted to join Nigeria and the South voted to join the Republic of Cameroon. In June 1961, all the leaders of the political parties in Southern Cameroon met in Bamenda to discuss the terms and conditions of reunification.

There were disagreements on several issues, but all agreed unanimously that unification was to be based on Federalism and that Southern Cameroons was to retain all its organs and institutions, its culture and legal systems and its parliamentary system of government. In July 1961 the famous , “Foumban Constitutional Conference met in Foumban to draw up a Constitution for the Federal Republic of Cameroon. The Republic of Cameroon has failed to keep its terms and obligations of the Foumban Conference, therefore there is Unification base on the agreements
that was made during this Foumban Marriage between the three Nations of Cameroon., namely the Northern, Southern and Eastern Cameroon.

After protracted talks it was finally agreed that reunification would be based on federalism that the State of Cameroon would promote and strengthen the bi-cultural identity of Cameroon without the French or English culture absorbing the other, and that Southern Cameroon would retain all its organs and institutions.
These terms were then incorporated into the 1961 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Cameroon with a proviso in Article 47 making it impossible to unilaterally amend certain Articles of the Constitution without the risk of breaking up the Union. On the 1st of October 1961 the Federal Republic of Cameroon was born. It consisted of two Equal States – the State of East Cameroon (formerly French Cameroon or Republic of Cameroon) and the state of West Cameroon (formerly British Southern Cameroon or Southern Cameroon.)

From 1961 to 1972 when the Federal Republic of Cameroon existed, there was no ANGLOPHONE PROBLEM. Let us not forget that it was Anglophones who voted to join the Union, and to form the Federal Republic of Cameroon, it was not the Francophone who voted, so the referendum to abolish the Federation should have only been voted by the Anglophones, but the Francophone with their majority in the Union “voted” and dissolved the Federation, the basis of Unification.
In so doing the Ahidjo government unconstitutionally breach the Foumban Accord, abolished the Federal Government and introduced the present Unitary Government. This has created a new problem, a Constitutional problem called the ANGLOPHONE PROBLEM.
The Anglophone problem then started with the abolition of the Federation.
Anglophones who were used to the multiparty system of government, no fear, no ID card check etc suddenly found themselves in a one-party system of government (the “CNU monster ) with its dictatorship and suppression of human rights. East Cameroon-Francophone, oppressive laws and immanency laws, were extended and applied in West Cameroon.
West Cameroonians-Anglophones, were forced to carry “piece”(tax receipts, identity cards, voting cards, driving license etc) victims were arrested and tortured in the newly constructed BMM cells. West Cameroonians who did not know fear before began to experience fear. Those who did not support the regime or criticize it were arrested, tortured or imprisoned.
By Francophone legal system, a person is presumed guilty until he proves himself not guilty. Mr. Paul Biya, the Francophone and World must be that the Anglophone problem is not dying down but is gaining momentum every year. Since 1985, when Fon gorji Dinka, a former president of the Cameroon Bar, unilaterally declared autonomy for Southern Cameroon and named it Republic of Ambasonia. The Anglophone problem and fight is on and is fast gaining ground and since then the Anglophone agitation has been growing, Dinka is president of Ambasonia in exile. The All Anglophone Conference (AAC1) held in Buea January 3-6, 1993 endorsed a return to the Federal System of government, While the Social Democratic Front (SDF) in its 1994 convention also accepted the Federal System.

On the 29th April to 3rd May 1994, AAC2, met in Bamenda, to discuss the “the road to peaceful self-determination and demand for zero hour” The AAC was transformed into “The Southern Cameroons People’s Conference” (SCPC) and then into the present SCNC “the Southern Cameroon National Conference” In 1996, Dr. J. N. Foncha and S.T. Mona both of blessed memories, and once Vice-Presidents of Cameroon and retired Anglophone politicians, gave their full support to this struggle and led a delegation to the UN, accompanied by the Chairman of the SCNC, Mr. E.Elad, and prominent men from both North West and South West namely: Ambassadoe Epie of blessed memories, Ambassador Fossung, Mr. Litumbe, Dr. Youngbang, Justice Mbu and Dr. Munzo. This was a clear indication of a united front and to a show the gravity of the situation. In December 1999 Justice Ebong, a Judge of the Cameroon High Court, declared autonomy for Southern Cameroon, named the State “The Republic of Southern Cameroon”. He was detained without trial for two years and then released Last year, 2008, Mr. Carlson Anyangwe, proclaimed the “Restoration Government of southern Cameroon”, he made himself president and appointed his ministers within and without the country All these people and movements in the Anglophone territory, are only trying to redress a situation which should never have arisen if our Francophone brothers have managed unification in the true spirit of brotherhood.

Francophones must be told and the world must know that the Anglophone problem is not dying down but is gaining momentum every year. In 1985, Fon gorji Dinka, a former president of the Cameroon Bar, unilaterally declared autonomy for Southern Cameroon. He named the new State Ambasonia. Dinka is president of Ambasonia in exile. The All Anglophone Conference (AAC1) held in Buea January 3-6, 1993 endorsed a return to the Federal System of government, While the Social Democratic Front (SDF) in its 1994 convention also accepted the Federal System.

On the 29th April to 3rd May 1994, AAC2, met in Bamenda, to discuss the “the road to peaceful self-determination and demand for zero hour” The AAC was transformed into “The Southern Cameroons People’s Conference” (SCPC) and then into the present SCNC “the Southern Cameroon National Conference”
In 1996, Dr. J. N. Foncha and S.T. Mona both of blessed memories, and once Vice-Presidents of Cameroon and retired Anglophone politicians, gave their full support to this struggle and led a delegation to the UN, accompanied by the Chairman of the SCNC, Mr. E.Elad, and prominent men from both North West and South West namely: Ambassadoe Epie of blessed memories, Ambassador Fossung, Mr. Litumbe, Dr. Youngbang, Justice Mbu and Dr. Munzo.

This was a clear indication of a united front and showed the gravity of the situation. In December 1999 Justice Ebong, a Judge of the Cameroon High Court, declared autonomy for Southern Cameroon, named the State “The Republic of Southern Cameroon”.

He was detained without trial for two years and then released Last year, 2008, Mr. Carlson Anyangwe, proclaimed the “Restoration Government of southern Cameroon”, he made himself president and appointed his ministers within and without the country All these people and movements in the Anglophone territory, are only trying to redress a situation which should never have arisen if our Francophone brothers have managed unification in the true spirit of brotherhood.

A Federation and democratic institution and is the only way by which any multinational and culturally divers communion, has the opportunity for variation in laws, existences, dispensations, that take account of the motley sensibilities and accordingly concede reasonable autonomy to the constituting units. Cameroon is a multicultural, multiethnic, multi-lingual and multi-religious State. Therefore any person or party or government, who or which condones the marginalization, discrimination or the treatment of Anglophones as second class citizens, is an enemy of our unification. Anglophones’ interest can only be protected and enhanced in a Federal Government. Our fight, our struggle is not against Francophones as such, but against the oppressive CPDM governments of BIYA, governments which have denied us our fundamental rights and frustrated our political, economic and social aspirations;Governments which reduced us to second class citizens, and are hell-bent on keeping us there

That is why the United Nations gave Southern Cameroon independence on the basis of Federalism. We unified on the understanding that we would operate a Federal System, in which we will live in a mighty, united, economically strong Cameroon Nation; guaranteeing all citizens of every race and religion, inalienable fundamental and civic rights, equal opportunities and respect for the bicultural character of our people.Does Mr. Paul Biya deserve praise when it comes to democracy in Cameroon, of course no, multipartism was forced on Mr. Biya by World Bank, France, IMF and the SDF. What then is a democratic regime?

There are certain basic tenets which any country that calls itself a democracy must meet. Steven and Lucan (2002) outline some of the tenets to be;

I) Complete separation of power from the three branches of government which includes the executive, the legislative and the judiciary. Members of the executive must be chosen through free and fair elections and open to all adults of voting age. In this case only prisoners who have lost their right to vote may be legally exempted from participating. This is not the case with Cameroon because neither is there any real separation of power and elections have always been rigged and voters claimed of disenfranchisement.

II) In a democracy, political and civil rights must be respected. These rights among others include total press freedom, freedom of association, freedom to criticise without fear risking a prison sentence. In Cameroon there are myriad and duplicity of civil right movements and non-governmental organization thereby making it look as fulfilling this condition. However most of the civil societies are weakened by the government or they are arms of the ruling government. There are several media organs but this does not translate to freedom giving that most media organs have to trade professionalism for survival and bribery to exist because of the unwillingness of the government to help put order in the sector. So the weak media environment is therefore an added advantage to the government.

The UN watch- Freedom House in its freedom index rankings of 2009, 2010 and 2011 insists that Cameroon is not-free at all neither is there press freedom. In its 2010 rankings, Cameroon occupies the 146 position together with Cote D Ivoire, Morocco and Qatar out of a sample of 192 countries with a score of 66. The same 2010 Freedom House rankings which focus on Africa South of the Sahara ranked Cameroon in the 38 position out of 48 and concluded that Cameroon is definitely not free. Furthermore, on the rankings released on January 03, 2011 under the title The Authoritarian Challenge to Democracy, Freedom House rated Cameroon as not free with regards to civil liberties and political rights. Using a scale of 1 being free, 3 partly free and 7 not free, Cameroon scored 6 both on civil liberties and political rights thereby making it not free according to Freedom House. However The Mo Ibrahim Index on governance concerning African countries gave Cameroon a human right score of 54.7/100 which the Cameroon government uses to debunk studies of others like Freedom House.

III) In a democracy, elected authorities must possess real power to govern in a way that they are not subject to some military, religious or to much executive control. Steven and Lucan do not mention corporate control and I think they might have got in wrong there because, most so called democracies and givers of lessons in democracy are now almost totally controlled by lobbies and corporations. The power of these CEOs and their companies especially in free market economies have gone a long way to undermine the values of democracy and the influence of the multinationals in Africa and national politics have been nefarious.

In Cameroon for example, there are elected mayors in councils but these mayors cannot properly govern and carry out their duties because of the presence of super mayors called government delegates.. These so called government delegates are appointed by the president and they override and often undermine elected mayors. If Cameroon were to be a real democracy the governours of the ten regions as well as so called divisional and sub divisional officers would be elected. This is not the case and the parliament remains a rubber stamp with elected MPs under the mercy of appointed ministers.

iV) : The rule of law, transparency and the fight against corruption are equally supposed to be the hall marks of any democracy given that is not only a government by the people but above all, a government for the people. Cameroon is far from being a jungle but the rule of law and transparency are also far from being its watch word. In 1998 and 1999 Transparency international successively ranked Cameroon as the most corrupt nation in the world. This negative publicity pushed Cameroon to making some negligible efforts in combating corruption. This did not still go well in the eyes of Transparency international because 11 years after with the release of the 2011 corruption index, Cameroon was ranked 146 out of 178 countries and scored 2.2/10 a mediocre performance indeed. Still in that respect The Mo Ibrahim Index of Governance in Africa in its ranking released in 2008, Cameroon was ranked 25th position out of 48 countries and had a below average score point of 48.3/100 on the rule of law, transparency and corruption.

Competitive authoritarianism or advanced authoritarianism or Hybrid regime

In view of the above then, Cameroon is certainly not a democracy though President Paul Biya coined the phrase ADVANCED DEMOCRACY in the early 90s to describe the type of regime in Cameroon.
It is true that democracy means different things to different people given that in a real democracy, no monarchy living on taxes payers money should be accepted though it often said these monarchies are ceremonial heads. Against that background democracy should not only be elective-government by the people, but must be a government for the people and of the people. Some burning issues must be put on referendum for the people to decide rather than for the elected representative and their lobbies to dictate. This may concern issues that deal with constitutional modifications or certain economic and political reforms that may deem to have far reaching ramifications on the people.

Many scholars have written volumes on types of regimes and especially mixtures of regimes with some referring to these mixtures as semi-democracy, virtual democracy, hybrid regimes, pseudo-democracy, liberal democracy, transitional democracy, electoral democracy, soft authoritarianism, semi-authoritarianism. Freedom House also came up with free and partly free. (Steven and Lucan 2002:1) It is true that most of the scholars have carried their own studies with a degree of what Steven and Lucan call democratisation bias.

With regard to the first types of democracies, I would argue that they are not democracies because they fail to meet the standards of democracy. It is incomprehensible that a so called democracy be in transition or hybrid for decades. Some scholars in Cameroon argue that the country has been a democracy or a transitional democracy since Paul Biya took over power and relaxed certain repressive tactics (Ngoh 2004). But that does not make the country a democracy because what has taken place is just a different type of authoritarian rule which falls short of a full scale authoritarian rule but the meets the principles of a competitive authoritarian regime (Steven Lucan 2002).

DR DANIEL MODEX MOKWE
THE SPOKE PERSON, NEW CAMEROON

Cc :

– The President of the Republic of Cameroon

– The Governor of South West Region

– South West Chiefs Conference

– North West Chiefs Conference

– Grand South Chiefs Conference

– The Governor North West Region

– Fako Chief Conference

– Meme Chiefs Conference

– West Region Chiefs conference

– Douala Chiefs Conference

– Bassa Chiefs Conference

– Cameroon Bar Association (Council)

– Fako Lawyers Association

– Meme Lawyers Association

– North West Lawyers Association

– National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms

– UN Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms

– The US Ambassador/Embassy

– The French Ambassador/Embassy

– Christian Cardinal Tumi

– Cameroonian in the diaspora

– The Episcopal Conference

– The President of the Apostolic Church Cameroon (TACC)

– The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church Cameroon (PCC)

– The President of the Full Gospel Church in Cameroon

– The Cameroon Baptist Convention

– The National Chairman of SDF/National Secretariat of SDF
– The National President of MRC
– The National President of CPP

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Daniel Mokwe

28.Oct.2016

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Land transport finally resumed on the Douala-Yaoundé National Road N°3 last October 22 after 24 hours of interruption thanks to rapid intervention from the Minister of Public Works, Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi that saw the placing of a temporal metallic bridge over the collapsed spot at Manyai in Matomb Sub Division.

Speaking earlier at the site of the rehabilitation works, Minister Nganou Djoumessi said, “We are very satisfied with what is going on. We have already placed what will serve as a provisional culvert and we have also identified what will serve as a deviation; we will create another road so that the users of the road should continue to circulate from Yaoundé to Douala and from Douala to Yaoundé. As far as this particular point of disruption is concern, rehabilitation work is going on satisfactorily, so I believe that in a couple of hours we will be able to re-establish circulation.”

The Minister had also indicated earlier that the collapsed culvert spot among 50 others had already been earmarked for the construction of solid bridges by his ministry as soon as the rainy season gives way.

Friday, October 21, 2016 has gone down into history books as a black Friday in Cameroon following first the collapse of a portion of road due to an old metallic culvert on the Douala-Yaoundé National Road N°3 thereby pushing many travelers to take up the train as the only cheapest option but unfortunately could not reach their respective destinations following a train derailment that led to the loss of lives and several persons wounded.

Given that the disruption of traffic led to the creation of long queues of vehicles and crowds of people on both sides of the road causing serious economic loss as goods and services were grounded for a day, citizens have asked their government to be proactive and not to wait only on crisis before they wake up from slumber.

To many, the Douala-Yaoundé road incident of last Friday is an eye opener to many other deplorable road conditions observed nationwide such as along the Yaoundé-Bafoussam-Bamenda highway named National Road N°4.
Though the cause of the collapsed culvert is attributed to heavy rainfall in the night between October 20 and 21, 2016, many citizens argue that all of these incidents would have been avoided if the regime that is in power since 1982 had rehabilitated roads and constructed secondary ones which could be used by vehicles after the collapse of the culvert at Manyai in Matomb Sub Division.

Occurring on the eve of the kick off of the 2016 Women African Nations Cup, the Cameroon government must look beyond these two successive incidents of Friday October 21 in order not only to offer the population with good road networks but also to build a solid transport system in the country.

The Sun

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Rita Akana

27.Oct.2016

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Corruption is a complex social, political and economic phenomenon that affects all countries. Corruption undermines democratic institutions, slows economic development and contributes to governmental instability. Corruption attacks the foundation of democratic institutions by distorting electoral processes, perverting the rule of law and creating bureaucratic quagmires whose only reason for existing is the soliciting of bribes.In Cameroon, economic development is stunted because foreign direct investment is discouraged and small businesses within the country often find it impossible to overcome the "start-up costs" required because of corruption.

Due to corruption in Cameroon, there are many people who can have a driving license without any tests. The anti-corruption community patiently watches the unending lawmaker bribery and corruption scandals, which is self-evident of the height of deviation among trustees of government. The abused of public trust, “corruption” has become a standard way of living, but such a corrupt orientation is challenged by other countries of the world, considering that the lack of a nation’s integrity is injurious to trustworthiness.

Akepe Linus Enobi

International Institute of Certified Forensic Investigation Professionals Inc. (IICFIP)

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Akepe Linus Enobi

26.Oct.2016

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Across many African countries, the transitions from autocracies to democracies have come at gunpoint. And most often, the political change born out of disputed elections, end up transiting on bloody conflicts that last several decades. Among 49 sub-Saharan African countries, fewer than 10 are democracies.

Evidence show that several political changes occurred in all of the African democracies, Botswana being the exception. Then newest democracy, Benin -- a west African country -- experienced eight coups between 1963 and 1972. Not only that but adopted 10 constitutions and had 10 presidents in less than 10 years. In fact, Benin was the “sick child of Africa,” some scholars describe.

Take it or leave it, guns in the hands of citizens (electorates) have facilitated the transition from autocratic to democratic rule, and not the moral nature of the leader. After all, they say nothing good comes easy and no food for lazy man.

The Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes and The Prince by Nicolo Machiavelli, form the foundation for politics and are political Bibles for every worthy security scholar. Hobbes notes that " the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short." Machiavelli suggests that it is best for any rational leader to be "feared than loved."

I am a critic of democracy but an advocate of political evolution because I argue that politics is planted, it grows, it dies and decays. Cameroon since 1961, has had only two presidents who had their peaks when they came to power but troughed years later. And because nothing lasts forever, Cameroon should be debating change as the regime fades out. But here is Tapang's puzzle.

Empirical evidence has proven that some conflicts are initiated in regime types that are not transparent about a "successful transition." A power vacuum is left open. Hence, there is "war of all against all," to borrow from Hobbes. Also, with a record of two presidents since 1961, it is logical to argue that the next president in Cameroon could be in power for the next 30 years too. Let me explain.

Sir John Dalberg-Acton, an 18th century English politician, is best known for his phrase "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men." He was absolutely right. Everyone loves power because in the "state of nature" -- the world without an external enforcer, leaders will not leave power because they enjoy it. The choice to glue to power or leave it is purely a rational choice and not irrational. And without any external enforcer, holding everything constant, it would be rationally irrational for any leader to leave power. So do we need external enforcers? Yes, we do.

The electorate in Cameroon is a very weak enforcer whose threat is not credible and capable to force a leader out of power. A threat can only be credible if it believable, and capable it can hurt. Apart from wasting votes in ballot boxes, there is nothing else they can do. They have no military nor tooth to bite the regime's silver bullets.

So forget it, and take my advice. The next leader in Cameroon will stay for another 30 years in power under citeris paribus conditions. Every regime would keep the military under its control and use the executive to override the legislative. It would certainly play to the Western gallery and avoid some external force from ripping it off in the Libyan fashion.

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Tapang Ivo

25.Oct.2016

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According to Pew Research study, Cameroon, a West African nation, has 65 percent of Christians – approximately 14 million of its 24 million citizens. The U.S. Department of State estimates that Muslims comprise roughly 24 percent. In nearly two decades, the doors of several Christian churches have been widening, as employers narrow theirs at the same time. About 80 percent of youths are unemployed in the French and English-speaking country, opposition and regime figures show. And while the grievances of youths swell due to high corruption rates, unemployment, bribery, social and political inequalities, most Imams, priests and pastors are not helping out either. Disgruntled families are now seeking solace in churches, the only place where they can at least absorb the Good News, receive signs and wonders, and listen to prosperity promises for families in an ailing regime. But are religious leaders in Cameroon rescuing the nation from bad governance? I disagree. I will explain.

For clarity, let me bring in Botswana, a tiny African nation. Cameroon and Botswana share stark similarities in their colonial pasts under the British rule. Both have the enormous amount of natural resources, with Cameroon gaining the upper hand as it is part of Gulf of Guinea, one of the richest oil Gulfs in the world with the lowest Sulfur content, according to the American Petroleum Index. At independence, Botswana was one of the poorest nations in the world – with a per capita GNP of $97 and almost no middle class or working class. Comparatively, Cameroon wasn’t bad at that time.

But Botswana’s turnaround has been sudden and remarkable since its independence. Little Botswana has had one of the highest average growth rates in the world, a high rule of law, political rights and civil liberties. All these transformations have taken place under a single-party system that has won every single election since independence. Why should Cameroon be different? There is no need to belabor the point that unlike Cameroon, Botswana, a leading world producer of valuable diamonds, and has never suffered from the “resource curse.” Why?

Scholars have substantiated claims that the political, economic and social successes in Botswana are thanks to protestant missionaries. When not supported by the state, these missions act independently and initiate mass education, printing, media, and civil society. And they also inculcated democratic skills through churches, church synods, and ecumenical conferences. Kindly recall that I once did a write-up on ecumenical services in which I advanced reasons why it contributes to promoting peace, stability and social cohesion for nations. So where does Cameroon square in?

Politics and religion are two concepts which can never be romance partners. But in Cameroon, they marry even in church, and some pastors and priests bless their union. Transparency International has twice ranked Cameroon as the most corrupt nation on earth. In 2013, when Cameroon’s President Paul Biya ordered the closure of nearly 100 Christian churches in key cities, citing criminal practices organized by Pentecostal pastors that threaten the country’s security, that was only political posturing to me. The order worked only for a month and quickly died as I predicted. I documented evidence of pastors bribing government officials to stay in the business. Nearly 500 Pentecostal churches operate in Cameroon, but fewer than 50 are legal, state authorities claim.

Unlike the Catholics, Presbyterian, Muslims, and Baptists, Pentecostal churches have never built schools for the children, hospitals for the sick, or even rolled out sustainable development projects. Instead, they build ultra-modern churches, the size of a basketball stadium. Most pastors make a huge amount of money from exploiting their poor followers, and even sell blessed objects like “holy water.” I was once a seminarian and this is wrong.

The politicians, ministers, sanctioned state thieves, take the first few pews in most churches. Others lead Christian followership movements like the Catholic Men’s Fellowship, Catholic Women’s Fellowship, etc. It is no coincidence. The church has been monetized and politicized. Religious leaders fear to speak against bad governance and calling a spade a spade. Most poor people who feel intimidated in public offices when applying for a job or seeking a service, also feel intimidated by the rich in churches when praying to their God.

Failing the nation

When Biya closed down some churches in 2013, he did so because the churches were already preaching against the regime and telling their followers to stand firm against political, civil, social and economic vices. A Christian would listen to a pastor or priest more than a policeman working for the “eternal regime.” Biya had predicted doom for his 33-year rule if he did not quickly cripple the truth in churches, and choke the voices of religious leaders. Activities in churches in Cameroon are heavily monitored by spies of the regime, and only a pocket of religious leaders are fearless in telling their follower the truth.

Registering a church under the law in Cameroon is complex and cumbersome. It is a deliberate ploy by the regime to jail religion or keep it at its beck and call. That way, religion will be malleable under Biya’s rule. If churches followed the example of Botswana, religious leaders will contribute enormously in holding the government accountable on many fronts.

Last year, Clinton Health Initiative (CHI), a charity organization run by Hilary Clinton, received up to $10 million USD from Cameroon Baptist Convention's health board to fund the campaign of the U.S. Democrat, according to investigations revealed by the Daily Mail in the UK. Wikileaks has proven that the Clinton NGO is dubious. We are talking about the same Cameroon Baptist Convention that cannot admit sick persons into its hospitals if they do not have the money to foot their bills. What they can do best is receiving alms from the poor and giving back to their master – donors like the CHI.

So who is fooling whom? Tell the pastors and priests to stop feeding the souls and failing the nation.

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Tapang Ivo

24.Oct.2016

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