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Cameroon: Despite Massive Outcry - Achidi Achu Says Question of Amending Constitution is Sealed
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The Post (Buea)
3 April 2008
Posted to the web 3 April 2008
Chris Mbunwe
Former Prime Minister, Simon Achidi Achu, Monday, March 24, told CPDM militants in Bamenda that parties opposing constitutional change are wasting their time because: "We have already taken our firm stand on this issue that the constitution be changed and Biya is O.K with our proposals and we will proceed to Yaounde to amend it for the good of all Cameroonians.
Achidi Achu, Min.Paul Nji Atanga (middle) soaked by rain during CPDM solidarity march along Bamenda Commercial Avenue
Let these cowards called oppositions be quiet" He asked whether Biya has said after amending the constitution he would run for elections.Achidi Achu and the Minister of Special Duties at the Presidency, Paul Nji Atanga, were addressing CPDM militants during the 23rd anniversary of the party at the Bamenda Congress Hall.
The duo linked Fru Ndi to the recent unrest and warned the SDF Chairman, against "causing havoc." They warned that Fru Ndi would not be allowed to cause any havoc again, especially in Bamenda.
Said Atanga: "Let those SDF spies who are in this hall pass on this message to Fru Ndi that the CPDM has all the means and we will not, I repeat, not, give him any opportunity to take Cameroon, especially Bamenda and the Northwest, hostage again.
We in the Northwest have identified the SDF party to be our major setback in all development initiatives. All acts of arson and vandalism carried out in 1992 and of recent put together; the Northwest is leading."He urged parents to educate their children not to yield to calls from opposition parties during strikes.
Fru Ndi Is Riff-raff
In the same breath, Atanga turned and blamed his militants for being weak and helpless during the strike."This party is not for weak people. You have to be as strong as the military, because it beats my imagination how a nonentity or a riff-raff would order you to close your shop and you quickly obey. Why did you shy away and could not defend state institutions?"
Atanga, however, praised CPDM party police of Mezam I, who guarded the party house from being razed. He pleaded with CPMD militants to identify strike instigators to the forces of law and order for immediate arrest and prosecution.
"You must do that now because nobody is above the law. Don't be afraid to fish them out because you are protected. Our President and National Chairman of the party is the Alpha and Omega. He has said not once or twice that the law must take its course in what happened," Atanga said.
Atanga pulled out FCFA 2 million and brandished it before handing it to Northwest Governor, Abakar Ahamat, for the reconstruction of the Bamenda Commercial Avenue grandstand (destroyed during the recent unrest).
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On his part, Achidi Achu urged CPDM militants not to take Atanga's declarations for granted. "You people should take what Atanga has declared seriously because we cannot allow irresponsible people in the name of an opposition to continue terrorising us every time. In 1992, they carried out same destruction and killings.
They were arrested and taken to Yaounde. When the Head of State pardoned and released them, since I was Prime Minister at the time, I sympathised and paid their transport from Yaounde to Bamenda. Tell me, how can you pardon people just yesterday and they have started and are still threatening us that nobody should amend the constitution of this country?" Achidi Achu asked.
According to Achidi Achu, the destruction carried out on Fri Ndi's building housing PMUC on Commercial Avenue was " a small cinema" as compared to what they destroyed that belonged to the state and some private persons.
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