allAfrica.com: Cameroon: And Development Followed (Page 1 of 1)

The peace and unity that reign in the country have created a propitious environment for development.

Cameroon is generally considered as Africa in miniature. The country is the hub of a variety of cultures, tribes, languages and people. Elsewhere, such diversity would have been a weakness; a foundation for perpetual friction and tension. This is not the case with Cameroon. Successive leaders of the country have been able to create a spirit; the Cameroonian spirit, which traverses linguistic, ethnic and cultural barriers. It is thanks to this vision that Cameroon continues to be an island of peace in a tumultuous sub region. An honourable option. And if we have to draw inspiration from the words of André Gide, a French writer and human rights advocate, then we will agree that "It is easier to lead men to combat, stirring up their passion, than to restrain them and direct them towards the patient labours of peace".

The theme of this year's May 20 event: "The army, the nation: together for the consolidation of peace and development" is clear testimony of the role defence forces play in the maintenance of peace and, as such, create a propitious atmosphere for development. Some soldiers, such as those of the military civil engineering corps, are even at the forefront of developmental projects as can be seen in the constructions they carry out. The occasion, once again, offers us an opportunity to exalt the merits of peace and unity in the developmental process of the nation. Since independence, through the "peaceful revolution" of May 20, 1972 which saw the advent of a unitary State, the United Republic of Cameroon, to the present Republic of Cameroon, preserving peace and unity have been an all time option of the government. "United we stand, divided we fall. Let us not split into factions which must destroy that union upon which our existence hangs," as Patrick Henry, a prominent figure in the American Revolution said.

There have been difficult moments, though. In this sad register, we can cite the coup d'état attempt of 6 April 1984, the political upheavals that followed the reintroduction of multi-party politics in the country in the early nineties, the border dispute with Nigeria and, most recently, the wave of social unrest that spread across the country in February this year. It is generally said that it is during such difficult and trying moments that one knows the worth of a person or his stance on certain issues. And it so happened that in the face of adversities, Cameroonians, propelled by their leader President Paul Biya, demonstrated great commitment to the values of peace with self and others. Else, the demons of division and anarchy could have found a comfortable home in our land.

We all remember how President Paul Biya came out strong last February to say "No" to the disorder that almost jeopardised social peace in the country. An indication that the quest for peace is permanent. A political option! As Dorothy Thompson a famous American journalist in the sixties rightly puts it: "Peace has to be created, in order to be maintained. It is the product of faith, strength, energy, will, sympathy, justice, imagination, and the triumph of principle. It will never be achieved by passivity and quietism".

On the other hand, peace with our neighbours is an everyday reality. Little wonder, Cameroon continues to be a haven for refugees. Expatriates also feel at home in the country. Cameroon's most remarkable international peace venture remains the peaceful settlement of the maritime and land dispute with neighbouring Nigeria. Where other people would have taken arms, President Paul Biya went in for dialogue and submitted the problem to the International Court of Justice for arbitration.

Also worth mentioning is the calm manner with which President Paul Biya handled the shabby treatment of Cameroonians in Equatorial Guinea recently. The peace that reigns in the country is therefore the fruit of lots of efforts and a strong political option. As one writer puts it: "Peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of creative alternatives for responding to conflict; alternatives to passive or aggressive responses, alternatives to violence". Robert Fulgham, a contemporary philosopher, even goes an extra mile when he says: "Peace is not something you wish for; it's something you make, something you do, something you are, and something you give away."

The importance of peace and unity cannot be overemphasised. They are prerequisites for any meaningful development. Peace does not only guarantee a secure environment for investments, it also offers a safe setting where people can sleep without fear of harassment or a stray bullet hitting them at any moment. The number of investors knocking at the doors of Cameroon is clear testimony that the prevailing situation reassures. The country is becoming the hub of great development projects thanks to the input of friendly countries who have found a safe abode in Cameroon. Just last week, the Chinese signed a contract with the Government to build stadiums through out the country during the next ten years. Still last week, several companies from Asia, America and Europe indicated their interest to take part in the construction of the Kribi deep sea port. There is more in the pipeline.

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