Martin A. Nkemngu
28 February 2008
column
During the infamous "operation ghost towns" of the 1990s, a concerned elderly man, Raymond Ngwa Ambe saw the senseless burning and destruction of property in Bamenda and lamented, "This is terrible! The development of this country has been set back by more than 20 years. It is very stupid for us to destroy ourselves like this in the name of politics." Raymond Ngwa's remarks came to pass in a rather prophetic manner.
In fact, it has taken nearly 20 years, for us to recover from the instability and economic crisis sequel to political agitations which marked the reintroduction of multiparty democracy in the 1990s.
It was certainly those events that President Paul Biya, in his address to the Nation last night referred to as "unpleasant memories of a period we thought was long gone". And just at a time that the country is witnessing gradual economic recovery and stability, demonstrations and vandalism are back on the streets to set back the hands of the clock.
What started three days ago as a normal strike by transporters against fuel price hikes has quickly degenerated into acts of vandalism, burning and destruction of property occasioning the loss of human lives. There is the reported case of a foreign business man in Douala who lost property valued at hundreds of millions of francs CFA when hooligans attacked and burnt down several newly-purchased heavy duty trucks.
It is certain that the perpetrators of such heinous acts were not demonstrators in support of the strike action. As the Head of State pointed out, most of them were manipulated "youths who were joined by delinquents lured by the possibility of looting". And it is clear that those manipulating the youths in this way do not have the good of our people at heart because no country can be built through destruction.
Faced with the disturbing situation, many voices of reason have appealed for calm and the return of peace. On the instructions of the Head of State, fuel prices have been reduced to meet the demands of the transporters. Yet the violence and destruction has continued in total disregard of government's gesture.
While some political, traditional, civil society and traditional leaders are calling for calm and reason, there are others who are exploiting the situation for their own selfish ends. They have been encouraging the youths to continue with the demonstrations and destruction knowing very well that the acts will only endanger their lives. This is unpatriotic and unfortunate.
President Biya's message put things in the right perspective, "Cameroon is a constitutional State and intends to remain so". With democratic institutions functioning normally all political stakeholders should find a suitable framework within which to debate and discuss problems affecting the life of the nation.
The general appeal in the prevailing circumstances is for Cameroonians not to give in to violence but to seek peaceful redress through democratic means so that peace and development can be established.
Moreover, the dimension of the current crisis warrants that government examines meticulously other possible remote causes of the general discontent which could motivate the youths to resort to demonstrations and violence across the nation. The sudden and widespread reaction of the youths nationwide makes it obvious that there is more to the crisis than meets the eye. The sudden rise in commodity prices, unemployment and generalised poverty are certainly some of the problems which are likely to motivate the youths to go to the streets. In such a situation, it is perhaps wise to find suitable avenues for reflection and dialogue. For, it is only a culture of tolerance, dialogue and genuine democracy that can engender sustainable peace which is a pre-requisite for development.
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When true and genuine dialogue and democracy cant prevail, then the only answer to it is violence.We have been pushed to the wall for so long and the best methot is retaliation.Biya should be the one to give peace a chance by giving up> times up.peace is not only about the absence of war, there hasnt been any peace in cameroon since Biya manipulated Ahidjo and took over power.We are protesting for real peace Biya....
Biya about dialogue because he is facing the real posibility of insugency and chaos. He pretends to listen when all along he has been indifferent to any suggestion of a meaningful discuss between the parties to attempt to solve the problems of Cameroon. There is only one thing DICTAORS understand, violence! And that is what has got Biya's attention. No more unfulfilled promises. He has taken Cameroonians for chumps. He and his masters should start packing their bags!
It has been left to Martin Nkemngu to make clear to the Cameroonian people what Paul Biya himself could not make clear when he made his arrogant speech to Cameroonians. This piece makes no mention of the loss of precious Cameroonian lives that has already taken place, but it did not fail to mention money and property lost by one "foreign businessman." It just shows what the priority of the goverenment and its communication wing, Cameroon Tribune, is - to cater for foreign interest. That is why Paul Biya's last New Year Eve's speech mentioned that foreign institutions see the progress Cameroon is making but fails to point out whether Cameroonians see the same reality. It is only in Cameroon that people who show total contempt for their own people are called elites, intellectuals, and leaders.
Martin Nkemngu or who ever you call yourself, you are just another selfish Cameroonian working with the current regime. We all know that working for Cameroon tribune,you cant be the real reporter you would love to be. What peace are you talking about and what democracy? Do you really think Cameroon is a democratic state? I wont be surprised if you are promoted by the Biya regime any time soon. It is the likes of you who are not patriotic. Cameroonians are dying today because they have been pushed to the wall by the French backed Biya regime and it is clear all you want is peace but remember there will never be peace without justice. The time has come for us to take our destiny into our own hands and dont you dare try to stop us for we are going all the way until we have leaders whose priority is good governance which will automatically lead to a better Cameroon. Give justice a chance and the peace you so long for will reign!
My dear brothers!!! Martin Nkemgu is a jounalist and he works with Cameroon tribune as we all know. What is it that he has done wrong? He was and is still doing his job for the newspaper. He echoed the president's speech simply.
Factually , our head of state at times makes me feel ashame of even accepting the name of Cameroon but for the fact that one is patroitic then I accept.In the diaspora immediately the name Cameroon is mentioned ,you get two questions from your audience, either it's the good side of it(football and Eto etc ) or the shameful side of it(Biya and corruption).
If Martin Nkengu writes to sensitize people about peace then we welcome his skill if there are no strings attached. Not everyone attached to the CPDM is bad.
But mark you, Biya is planting trees of discords and sowwing seeds of sorrow for his own family.He should be reflecting on such events like what happened to Mobutu.I think he Mobutu at the time was one of the most authoritative rulers in Africabut after all that, his own children with the wealth he dtole have still not found peace.
People shoildn't even bother about what he wants to do with the constitution.(Ahidjo started the palace there at Etoudi and never saw it finish) Biya will change the constitution,but will not see it go into effect in 2011( mark this words) I rest my case
Give Peace a Chance? By giving in, again? This is what the Cameroonian people have been doing ever since the 1990s' ghost towns. They did not want bloodshed, so they let it go. In the meantime, innumerable educated Cameroonians have left the country, and the situation just becomes worse and worse within Cameroon, unless you are part of the "reigning" folks. There are no jobs, it is useless to get an education (if you can afford to get one in the first place). Prices, however, keep on rising. What is a 6 CFA franc reduction in a 600 CFA franc gas price going to do? How will that help? It's ridiculous. Mr. Biya has been hanging on to power for so long now. It's time for a true democracy, not a fake one like we've had for so many years.