3 March 2008
document
Dear Representatives:
It is not only dangerous but also criminal for the Head of State to play games with the Constitution. Attempting to amend Article 6 of the Constitution of the Republic of Cameroon, which limits presidential tenure to two terms, is, undoubtedly, one of those crimes for which our country shall pay an onerous price in the future.
Our appeal for restraint derives not only from the articles written by our compatriots in the wake of a bloodbath that gave legal status to our country's legal institutions in 1990; but more importantly from the protection that the Constitution and its clauses guarantee every Cameroonian against acts of barbarity.
It is for the sake of social stability founded on the sacred principle of respect for legislative texts that we appeal to your conscience! The President has availed himself of the de facto majority accorded him in the National Assembly by you, CPDM Parliamentarians, to trample on the Constitution of this land.
Worse still, he has had recourse to armed elements of the police force to silence those dissenting voices that have dared to openly object to his scheme. Quite apart from his claim that "all the provinces are in support of a constitutional amendment", we are aware of the fact that he has simply taken advantage of fear of the unknown that his administration has instilled in you in order to give the impression that he is the sole dependable alternative for our country in 2001.
For once, show some courage; steer clear of infamy! Our future is priceless; do not gamble with it! Most importantly, do not play with fire! Amending Article 6 of the Constitution of the Republic of Cameroon would weaken the institutions that protect Cameroonian citizens against acts of barbaric abuse.
For too long, we have lived as if we do not see the mishaps that have befallen our neighbours. Suffice it to say that recent incidents in Ivory Coast, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Somalia, not forgetting Chad testify to the fact that a single foul play with the Constitution could plunge the entire nation into insurmountable chaos.
The civil strife that these countries have experienced lends ample credibility to our conviction that Cameroon's social stability is fragile, very fragile indeed. Cameroonians are peace-lovers; do not compromise it! Otherwise, you shall be judged in front of the tribunal of History.
Signed
Patrice Nganang, Writer
Jean-Marie Watonsi, Journalist
Eugène Ebodé, Writer
Jean-Marie Teno, Film maker
Célestin Aggée Lomo Myazhiom, Writer/Publisher
Muepu Muamba, Writer
André Djiffack, Critic
Dina Kolyang Taiwé, Writer
Joseph Fumtim, Writer/Publisher
Ntone Edjabe, Writer
Léonora Miano, Writer
Cilas Kemedjio, Critic
Peter W. Vakunta, Writer;
Boris Boubacar Diop, Writer;
Makhily Gassama, Writer;
Jean-Luc Raharimanana, Writer;
Alain Dichant, Publisher
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