Shey Peter Mabu
28 February 2008
Democracy, political scientists believe, can be likened to an attractive woman many men admire and would want to marry, but are not prepared to do so for fear of meeting her various demands.
C.B. Macpherson, a European writer made it even clearer when he remarked that democracy is regrettably a victim of muddled thoughts. It is indeed a victim of misconceptions, considering the manner in which some people manipulate the rights that accompany, this government of the people by the people.
The Head of State Paul Biya made an allusion to this muddling when he strongly deplored the violence that has marred our transporters' strike action.
In a democracy, strikes are a common way of expressing the need for steps to be taken in the interest of those concerned, but this is expected to be done in peace and with such order that the reasons behind the strike action are communicated to authorities and effective measures taken to yield positive results.
On the other hand, if those on strike ignore the laws of the State and become lawless and destructive, then there must be something wrong.
The strike action that was taken by transporters since Monday 25 February has been plagued by a number unfortunate developments indeed regrettable. The high prices of fuel among other complaints that the transporters raised were given a considerable attention by government and more measures promised to satisfy them. But what a surprise that the events of the day after the announcements have portrayed more of a degeneration of the trends, than proof that there are no remote causes to the transporters' strike action!
If there are other causes of discontent among citizens, why not respect the rules for seeking rights and give dialogue a chance?
No patriotic citizen claims omniscience or omnipotence when it comes to the challenges of live and let live in this world of inadequacies. But the tasks that await all citizens is patriotic diligence which goes with commitment to affluence and sympathy for our children, their future as well as that of the nation and its leaders. We need this spirit if we are proud of our nation and eager to progress.
The love of one's country, if it is genuine begins with concern for the welfare of all citizens no matter their status. The teacher who is paid to teach, thus nurturing the leaders of tomorrow, administrators who ensure an efficient and effective functioning of our services, communicators who inform correctly and objectively, and law enforcement officers charged with protection of life and property must not, perpetrate the societal ills they are paid to avert.
Despite the complexities that plaque effective democratic practice, coupled with challenges of globalisation all citizens are expected to respect the demands of genuine patriotism that include obedience of the law, honesty and diligence in all that is done in the interest of the nation and humanity at large.
The peace and stability that President Paul Biya in his declaration to the nation last evening said is the greatest craving of Cameroonians can only be guaranteed if we give law, discipline, dialogue and loyalty the place it deserves in a truly democratic system.
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If those who work for Cameroon Tribune think they cannot say what they think, that is, if they think they cannot be intellectually honest, they should quit their jobs. I do not condon the excuse that people's "hands are tied" or that they are "just doing their jobs." If you contribute in perpetrating crime like the journalists of Cameroon Tribune are doing, you are also a criminal.
Their continuous description of those who demonstrate as vandals, hooligans, and their constant attempt to portray them as criminals is reprehensible. For them the Biya government is correct and everyone else is wrong. They quote what Biya says as if it were the Bible. This is not only stupidity; it is criminal. Since elderly people have sold their consciences to the Biya regime, and have now made lie-telling their stock-in-trade, it were time young people call them on it.
I beg your pardon Mr SOCALLED SHEY PETER MABU,how much have you been paid for putting up this mess or hopping for a promotion by handclapping and singing to your mentor.May thunder strike you as i write this.Do you know the ethics of journalism and being partroitic,you better look it up,to know where you belong.You may be educated but a fool because you can't judge your senses well.Call a spade a spade,can you mention one thing that your mentor Paul Biya for his 25yrs in power has done in that country Cameroon positive, that you both claim to be more responsible than other suffering masses?Cameroonians know him only for the misery and untold suffering brought by him and your kind.God judges people following their dids to fellow human here on earth and you have decided to be a sadist evil supporter, carry on with your master,not long from now the verdict will get to you.Somebody who doesn't even have a road to his village.People like you are highly egocentric and to you the rest can die provided that you stay alive.You are better dead than live.FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLL.
My dear Mr Peter .you are well aware that a dictator is not in a better position to lecture Cameroonian Citizens on Demoractic values. In Cameroon we do not have a DEMOCRACY WE HAVE WHAT YOU CALL A DICTATORIAL DEMOCRACY . when most journalist and legal writers use this analogy vis a vis Cameroon there are making a mockery of Western societies who have democratic institutions both in theory and in practise . be well aware that even the Devil knows the Bible better than you and me and he uses words in the bible to foster his own aims and satanic ambitions . Paul biya knows what democratic values are all about but he cannot put them into practice b/c his going to lose out . May i remind you that we have no free and fair elections in cameroon given that votes are rigg and after more than 25 years in power he will not be thinking about changing the constitution . In Western societies heads of states are limited to 2 terms in power .so i beg u dear Sir we are leaving in an era of Biya`s dictatorial democracy. No offence to your humble self Mr peter i know like most people in the system your hands are tied and you are simply doing your job.