It is important that Mr Paul Biya and his government pave the way for my generation to handle this process with reason and commonsense. I know Cameroonians are bent on seeing Paul Biya leave and he should not try to manipulate us again or rely on the use of force because we are not ready for civil war or any form of violence that will undermine the rights of innocent children; boys, girls and most importantly women and nursing mothers. Since every member of the CPDM government is married with children including Mr Paul Biya himself, they must consider this period in history a turning point where neither feminism nor masculinism will overshadow our global call for the human and civil rights of all people to be respected and protected regardless of gender, creed,origin , race and class. Take a moment and explore this debate. Thank you always.
--- On Tue, 12/8/09, Jonathan Awasom <jonathanawasom@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: Jonathan Awasom <jonathanawasom@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [camnetwork] JTA/ On the Politics of Forgiveness and Reconciliation
To: camnetwork@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tuesday, December 8, 2009, 4:24 P
Prof. JTA
Forgiveness is a foregone conclusion in this case. Who are we forgiving? How? Why? When? What? etc. I think all options are opened. I think I have been driven a lot of times about this concept of forgiveness beginning from the time I introduced Cameroon Integration, Reconciliation and Unification Coalition( CIRUC). As you may know, the truth and reconciliation commission in South Africa enable people to confess their misdeeds but were not sentenced to jail.
This same commission was reintroduced in Liberia and the commissioners were sponsored from here in Minnesota. I worry that all these was happening only after war and destruction. It does not look like we have any control over the attitude and behavior of people with power and in power because if we did we would solve these problems right away.I want you to know that I am not the first Cameroonians seeking a peaceful political transitional to enable accountability and reconciliation. I have never known of a people who are so docile and peaceful but I have never also known of any government, which would prey on such peace loving people like Cameroonians.
Even if the people are sometimes too nice to be true, what we are saying is sympathy be directed to the powerless and downtrodden, and not to those who abuse power without impunity. While I agree under a very difficult moral circumstance that the oppressor, too need to be free, this argument is only a non-violent means to tickle the minds of the oppressor to cooperate with their own liberation from evil. It was the driving force behind the Civil Rights Movement led by Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr.
A Transitional Government, which I am seeking has the hallmarks of National Reconciliation rooted in recognition of the rights of all people to be free. However, that will be examined in the light of cultural differences, the fact is CPDM has violated the Constitution and it is time for arrogance to take a back sit as far as our common humanity is concerned. We are not made to be slaves to other human beings. It is always wrong and unacceptable. Death people do not bite but they live behind memories and generations of people. I wonder how we can downplay on this?
Do we want to live this world and be a blessing or a curse to posterity and the families we live behind? If people are condemning colonization and slavery, I think all of us must not embrace systems, which continue to perpetuate the enslavement and dehumanization of others. Most European countries have worked very hard to improve, rebuild and restructure their systems in ways that they are protecting the basic human rights of all persons. The French system fell, Berlin Wall fell, the British empire also fell, Nazism fell apart, racial segregation in America was outlaw, apartheid never could stop the South African people from being free etc. For how long will CPDM continue to manipulate us?
Nobody has ever gained from evil in this life. I know this for sure . My concern is that some people are sympathizing with injustice and oppression. They chose to behave in that fashion and we must consider the situation of their victims at all times. Look at a statement like this one by FOY HUBERT. I don't know what he was talking about.
"The government have to commit to provide their security, guarantee and promote their political and economic rights. This suggest that it is doable. In the context of Cameroon, one political tool would be granting Amnesty for some years and putting in place some concrete economic measures to ensure the wellbeing and security of President Biya's family while out of office and others whole have earnestly serve Cameroon for decades but might have questionable records due to the cap they were forced to put on under the regime. Then put these experts to work to educate young Cameroonians and other Africans by sharing their wonderful experiences as leaders. It might be hard, but it cannot be completely ruled out that ex-policians like to share their wealth of knowledge while in retirement, especially with NGO. It is surprise to hear what some will say about the regime and brilliant ideas that often come out to improve policy decisions" Foy Hubert
In his statement, I have not found any single reference to the victims..He is advocating for policies of vindication for them and nothing is proposed for all the victims and their families under these men and women. I think that it is pure selfishness and it continues to make one very concerned about where they are coming from.
I don't think that it is fair for Paul Biya and CPDM to hang unto power simply because they are afraid of what might happen if they were not there. They have not expressed such fears because if that is their problem then I think Cameroonians have an easy answer.
They should be open to all possibilities and think about the long term consequences of their actions on the nation and posterity.
Jonathan Awasom
--- On Sat, 12/5/09, James Ashu <jamesashu@yahoo. com> wrote:
From: James Ashu <jamesashu@yahoo. com>
Subject: Re: [camnetwork] JTA/Repaid in his own Coins: Ahmadou Ahidjo and the Politics of Ostracism
To: camnetwork@yahoogro ups.com
Date: Saturday, December 5, 2009, 9:37
Hello Rev. Awasom,
I do not disagree with you in the facts of our history. The problems we all face are the same. You and I only seem to disagree about possible solutions. Reverend, I am trying to think about what people did to forgive each other in similar or even worse situations. Well as a layman, I think of forgiveness of one another. I therefore expect a man of God like you to support my approach. What about that? All of us are victims. Happy Saturday.
JTA
If You do not know Your Capabilities and Limitations, You are a Danger to Yourself and Society.
--- On Sat, 12/5/09, Jonathan Awasom <jonathanawasom@ yahoo.com> wrote:
From: Jonathan Awasom <jonathanawasom@ yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [camnetwork] JTA/Repaid in his own Coins: Ahmadou Ahidjo and the Politics of Ostracism
To: camnetwork@yahoogro ups.com
Date: Saturday, December 5, 2009, 3:38 PM
"He even stood the risk of losing his own life if he did not do what was required" JTA
Professor
Your rationale is very very very troubling.
To be honest with you I am shocked but that is you.
That comment of yours is very immoral from every standpoint in this life. Could he not stage an escape?Please, please, please, please, Professor, what are you talking about?
Western Leaders are heroes or become richer when they fall from grace or leave power because they are hailed for defending their Nations and people. Patriotism is utmost for any Statesmen and women to be valued by their citizens.Can you explain to me why you expect us to glorify people who are a enemies of their own people? Instead of the President and his government protecting the citizens like a mother hen would protect her chickens, they torture, kill and murder at random.
JTA, you are far from the truth . The statistics and facts are not the same. Please, I pray that you reframe your argument again and look at the truth especially during this season of advent when the prince of truth, justice and peace comes like an innocent baby.It is good enough you know that some of them prefer to stay in power than leave and be haunted for their evil deeds against innocent people. Even if they stay there ,history will not forget their wickedness, malice, inhumanity and evil like Stalin , Hitler and Saddam Hussein.
Break the evil cycle? You are asking the people who are oppressed and hurt by evil people to break the evil cycle? What did they do to contribute to the evil and vicious cycle?
Oh Jesus Christ of Nazareth, please come down and pour your spirit on Prof JTA.The only way to break the evil cycle is for them to repent and do the things we have asked of them. Paul Biya and his government are corrupt and have never declared their assets according to the Constitution.Let them comply , resign and hand over most of what has been stolen to the State . Then we will go from there.
It is indeed worrisome that you would call for pardon for the sake of pardon for crimes inflicted upon humanity. Do you ever think of the families and people who are hurt? Why is it that too often some people sympathize with wicked and evil people than with their victims? Oh God, why has thou fosaken us?
Prof James , your said Ahidjo was working toward reconciliation? Then what happened that he wanted to come back when he was ousted from power? Let us not pay too much attention as to whether it was right or wrong! But if he was sorry for his misdeeds, he would peacefully retire and make his apologies and move on. His abortive coup d'etat was exploited by Paul Biya to cajole Cameroonians. Afterwards, he has turned against us!
Never mind. They come and go and generations of people continue to live. Now the Northerners were murdered mercilessly by Paul Biya in retaliation. Whose knows what is awaiting the Betis in revenge? That is why Semengue and Owona are Ministers for life .
Take Care JTA . I just don't agree with your views.They are very strange.
Jonathan Awasom
--- On Sat, 12/5/09, James Ashu <jamesashu@yahoo. com> wrote:
From: James Ashu <jamesashu@yahoo. com>
Subject: Re: [camnetwork] Fwd: Repaid in his own Coins: Ahmadou Ahidjo and the Politics of Ostracism
To: camnetwork@yahoogro ups.com
Date: Saturday, December 5, 2009, 7:50 PM
HelloVic,
We are now beginning to reason together. First, as you implicitly admit, Ahidjo was just doing the job the French recruited him to do. You would also admit that there were a lot of other Cameroonians eager to take his place if he did not measure up. He even stood the risk of losing his own life if he did not do what was required.
No, Vic, it is not a question of lionizing our past leaders. We cannot lionize them. They were already either lions or goats during stay in power. Only history will proclaim that. Our generation cannot do it. It is rather a question of debasing and abusing the legacies of our former leaders, as mean of settling old scores. We even chase those who are alive around the world and put them on trial for mistakes they made while leading. It is not good. I remember an interview given late President Siaka Stevens of Sierra Leone by a BBC reporter in the mid 1980s.
The reporter asked Siaka Stevens when he expected to retire. Siaka Stevens laughed and asked this question: "Do you want me to hand over power and become a vagabond like Ahidjo?" Therein lies the problem with Africa in general, and Cameroon in particular. We talk of when Paul Biya would retire. To tell you my truth, if I were Paul Biya, I would remain there for live, so long as I am sure that some of you will come after me to settle old scores.
If you want me out you would have to come after me and push me out. Why would I want to leave office only to become a vagabond like Ahidjo? Think of it carefully. After all, Ahidjo had already started a process of reconciliation with the Bamilekis and Bassas. I would dare say he was largely succeeding. Many Bamilekis and Bassas were brought into government. Who knows what would have happened if he continued in office a little longer?
The way I see it, we should stop pursuing our past leaders for "crimes" they committed while in office. Paul Biya should make political hay by bringing home Ahidjo's remains for an honorable burial... That would make his future retirement interesting. If today, we encourage him to pay Ahidjo in Ahidjo's own coins, we shall tomorrow, also encourage the next person to pay Paul Biya in Biya's own currency.
That is not be what we should encourage. We should rather make retirement an attractive option for our past leaders. Do leaders of the developed world not become richer after leaving office? Why should we put ours on trial? We should know that who ever holds public office will never satisfy all the people. He may not even satisfy anybody at all times. Let us break the evil cycle of vindictiveness.
JTA
If You do not know Your Capabilities and Limitations, You are a Danger to Yourself and Society.
--- On Sat, 12/5/09, Vic Katte <vickatte@yahoo. co.uk> wrote:
From: Vic Katte <vickatte@yahoo. co.uk>
Subject: Re: [camnetwork] Fwd: Repaid in his own Coins: Ahmadou Ahidjo and the Politics of Ostracism
To: camnetwork@yahoogro ups.com
Date: Saturday, December 5, 2009, 1:15 PM
Hello James,
I like the phrase you used - "victim of circumstances" . I agree that it is difficulty to see how these leaders could have had other options, given the geopolitical divisions in the global climate at the time (cold war, etc). Ahidjo was just a tool in the hands of the French colonial administration, who for his own position was not allow much room to maneouvre.
I think the way forward is not to lionise these victims of circumstances, but to feel some form of sympathy for them. We need some form of "national reconciliation" to deal with the issues from the past. If we carry on without addressing these issues, we are likely to hit the same sort of leaderships as we have been unfortunate to have in the past.
Vic Katte
============ ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= =====
"The way to deal with superstition is not to be polite to it, but to tackle it with all arms, and so rout it, cripple it, and make it forever infamous and ridiculous. Is it, perchance, cherished by persons who should know better? Then their folly should be brought out into the light of day, and exhibited there in all its hideousness until they flee from it, hiding their heads in shame.
From: James Ashu <jamesashu@yahoo. com>
To: camnetwork@yahoogro ups.com
Sent: Sat, 5 December, 2009 18:01:06
Subject: Re: [camnetwork] Fwd: Repaid in his own Coins: Ahmadou Ahidjo and the Politics of Ostracism
Hello Vic,
Read "The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born" by Ayi Kwei Armah. Ahidjo just had to fight if he wanted to remain president. I see him as a victim of circumstances beyond his control. Someone has to put and end to this circle vindictiveness that victimizes all Cameroonians. When I look into the future I see a long line Ahidjos, Biyas, Ashus, Kattes.... I do not see any good one among them. Let someone break the evil cycle.
JTA
If You do not know Your Capabilities and Limitations, You are a Danger to Yourself and Society.
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