Shey Peter Mabu
14 April 2008
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The Peoples' Representatives in Cameroon's National Assembly last Thursday, 10 April 2008, formally endorsed the bill amending and supplementing certain sections of the 1996 Constitution. As the adopted bill awaits promulgation into law by the Head of State, the uncertainties that surrounded its sailing through parliament can now be laid to rest.
Secondly, the manner in which members of parliament scrutinized the bill at the level of the commission charged with such tasks and adoption at the plenary session portrayed the MPs determination to pursue in a serene manner the tasks assigned them.
But now that what was proposed by government has been adopted, what next? Shall we, while harping on the rationale and urgency to decentralize continue to caress the canker worm of inertia which keeps bright ideas wasting on shelves while we complain of the administrative sins of omission and commission? The answer is "No" from the patriotic who asses the credibility of change from a judicious implementation of decisions taken. For, this is the only way a constitution can be given the meaning it deserves and amendments demanded when ever needs arise. This should be done in respect of sovereignty, democratic norms, human rights and loyalty.
These ingredients that give meaning to the fundamental principles on which organizations survive and fulfill the objectives for which they exist have to be acquired and rendered effective by leaders and the led, administrators and the administered; in short all citizens with love of their country.
After the amendment of a Constitution and adoption by parliament what citizens have to bear in mind is that things which appear fundamental to one age could be considered unnecessary to another. It is in this respect that in the conception and elaboration of the fundamental principles guiding the existence and functioning of institutions, there are provisions to meet the changing realities of life. Such principles in the life of a country have to be respected with commitment to the demands of patriotism, national unity, political stability and tolerance. For, without these virtues, action taken in the interest of the masses can hardly be considered genuine.
The opposition party, for example, should not be tempted to operate as if it loses its credibility when it supports what it considers acceptable in the interest of the nation. The ruling party, on the other hand, should not be tempted to go to extremes. It should be guided by laid down fundamental principles, of democratic practice.
In the face of the on going democratization of our institutions and challenges faced, every Cameroonian ought to be reminded of the progress already made and the need to protect what has already been achieved.
From one Kamerun in the days of the German colonization to British Southern Cameroons and French Cameroons, the Federal Republic of Cameroon, after reunification on 1st October 1961, the United Republic of Cameroon after the 20 May 1972 Peaceful Revolution and today's Republic of Cameroon, there is much to learn. Our craving for geopolitical unity, peace, political stability and progress should be sustained. We must not allow the enviable endowments behind these achievements be destroyed by greed and narrow patriotism stemming from intolerance and misguided loyalty.
On the other hand, focus on national objectives demands tolerance and the maturity to understand that what was considered ostentatious yesterday could be rationale today, thus rendering credible the method adopted to attain a goal. Professor Harold Laski in his book, A Grammar of Politics (1970) makes this clear when he states: What is considered fundamental to one age can be unnecessary to another; Hence the challenge to live with the realities of life.
The civic challenge however, is for people who have accepted the democratic norms of governance to abide by what comes up as a result of democratic principles implemented in the interest of the masses.
Now that parliament has endorsed the proposed amendments of the 1996 Constitution and the Promulgation into law awaited, a judicious implementation, to accelerate the decentratlisation process and other democratic institutions should be given the priority deserved.
In effect, the state of inertia which the Cameroon Head of State, Paul Biya has deplored in his speeches on several occasions should give way to prompt action aimed at giving credibility to changes in the fundamental principles of governance and stewardship with a focus on the citizens of this country, Cameroon.
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