--- On Mon, 8/15/05, Jonathan Awasom <wisesayings10@yahoo.com> wrote:
The Challenge of Cameroon’s Peaceful Political Transformation and Reconstruction
Introduction
I am delighted to share with you my story and perspective on a wide range of issues regarding the African Continent from several angles notably; politics, US foreign policy in Africa. I am a citizen of Cameroon trapped in a horrific destiny that defines me but I feel blessed that some values of the west have been an addition to mine acquired in Cameroon. After all, variety is a spice of life. Africa is plagued by both social and political oppression, and injustice.
Consequently, I urge Americans to take advantage of its moral power as the greatest nation on earth to lead an international coalition that will usher peaceful and democratic changes, social justice and political stability in Africa. If it is clear that “Democracy provides a system of checks and balances against any human beings getting too much power” then it is abundantly clear that Cameroon’s democracy is still to provide that check and balance.
I guess your next quick question will be where is Cameroon located in Africa ?( See the map of Africa and Cameroon on it.) Since the inception of independence on January 1st 1960, Cameroon like many African countries is gradually undergoing a transition to political democracy. This process is very slow but surely we will get there some day. When anyone hears about Cameroon, some issues might immediately come to mind namely; Aids, poverty, dictatorship, election fraud, mismanagement, corruption and in short a developing country because it is poor in many aspects when compared with the developed nations of the earth. I bring a unique critique to bear on some of these issues because I was born and raised in Cameroon, which gives me the unique opportunity to appreciate these issues from my point of view. Why do I want to embark on this journey of showing or projecting my country? JFK Kennedy once said that “ Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country”
This is one of the reasons why I have taken this step because I feel that I can join many others voices searching for real change in Cameroon. Firstly, I want to tell you the story of Cameroon as I have experienced and lived it. To tell the story about how Cameroonians create and response to politics and how United States foreign policy and various humanitarian activities have greatly shaped the lives of the people and their relationship with the rest of the world. I cannot wait any longer to share vital information to educate, inform and enlighten friends of Cameroonians about the passion for a peaceful political transition. Though the concept of change is inherent in every political system including advanced democracies like the United States and Great Britain my idea about change is very particular in relation with the current socio-political climate in Cameroon.
Secondly, Cameroon has a foreign culture that was defined by the colonial masters in their days when we were born namely; German, French and the British. The British and French were the two colonial masters that partitioned Cameroon when the scramble for territories there came to a close. The French took the largest part of Cameroon known as East Cameroon now made up of 8 provinces (what is called states) and the British took the smallest part called Southern Kameroons with two Provinces (North and South West Provinces).
The colonial masters left Cameroon for a while not without imposing their culture and way of life on the indigenous Cameroonians thorn apart by a mere multi-ethinic cultural diversity. It let to the forfeiting of the Cameroon culture in the national scene with two official languages made to be French and English till this date. This major paradigm shift wiped out all other tribal or ethnic languages, which because of their differences could not be a catalyst for an anticipated national unity at the time. Therefore, it paved the way for a foreign culture to permeate its cultural landscape. That is not a big deal because it was done in good faith and besides, we have come a long way with all that although I am neither French, English nor Africa
I am a sandwiched African often confused about what culture means to me in the light of the diversity that surrounds and defines me everywhere. When I am asked, what is your first language? I do not know if it is English or the African language of my tribe called Mankon language. I get really confused and lost because I barely speak Mankon whereas I write and speak English. Therefore, English ought to be my first language because that is the language I speak and write simultaneously. Even so, the only sense of identity I have as an African is the fact that I speak and celebrate the Mankon culture alongside the French, British and American cultures but I cannot write it. It must be tough to live in a world that is informed by a rich diversity and be able to appreciate it positively.
Well, my consolation is that cultural variety is a spice to the kind of person I am today because I have drawn more strength and inspiration from my sandwiched nature than weaknesses. It is after all-important to have these basic facts about Cameroon as a multi--lingual country where the two official languages are French and English. The French are in the majority and the English are in the minority. I am in the minority and as you know, minorities always have a story to tell with the best of intentions and for the greatest good. Although sometimes the complains of minorities are quickly dismissed as lazy complains, my case is far from mere discontent. There is a real desire to hope that things could change for the better.
Thirdly, I want to focus on the past October 30th , 2004 Presidential Election in Cameroon in order to keep people informed with what happens in my country. The political climate in Cameroon is stable since the last 7 years. It has hardly been turbulent for the last 10 years since I became politically conscious. Many bystanders think that Cameroonians are not hungry or disgruntled enough as a cause for concern. The picture that is painted of her is glamorous and portrays a country that is relatively better up than others. Far from being a fair assessment of the actual situation, yet it is no excuse for the sluggish enforcement of democracy by the regime in power. As of today, the current enlightened despot since 1982 when he was appointed President is Mr. Paul Biya. He is President of Cameroon and at the same time the Chairman of his personal party called Cameroon People Democratic Movement ( CPDM) being confronted by many parties commonly known as opposition.
Fourthly, Cameroon is surrounded by some neighbors that have been plunged into civil warfare leading to despicable bloodbath and untold misery in their countries but can you imagine that Cameroon is apparently stable politically! Is it because it is politically correct? No, Cameroon is enjoying from the comparative advantage theory, which presupposes that her situation is relatively better than that of her neighbors. This oasis of “hot peace”(peace without justice) could degenerate within a twinkle of an eye into the abyss of anarchy and civil warfare if we are not watching them. How I wish wishes were horses and then beggars for peaceful transition will be happy because some of us hate to see the horrible things that have happened in other African countries affect Cameroonians.
I want to be optimistic about peaceful political change in Cameroon within the present state of affairs. I believe we need some extra energy and contribution from many angles by word or action that will empower Cameroonians in extra –ordinary ways to rise to the occasion by rejecting civil anarchy. We have issues and even more burning and some Cameroonians think that there is a time bomb that will explode some day if these issues are not addressed in advance in an effective manner and to reduce the burden of reconstruction after destruction. I listened to the Rwandan President over Minnesota Public Radio during his visit to the US.
One thing that stood out clear to me seem that the international community was blamed for not acting responsibly enough in order to prevent the genocide there and that the apologies made after the damages did not go too far. I followed that conversation very keenly and blames were apportioned from left and right. At the end of it all, the bottom-line pointed to the fact that bygones were bygones and the situation at the moment concerned reconstruction and giving a new facelift to that country. I also gathered that citizens of the world, those people who leave their comfort levels and jump into the unknown would probably not fold their arms again and see such things happen again in countries were tribal and ethnic grievances are piling up like a poisonous gas in the bowel of the earth. Cameroon is a good case study, which is barely enjoying a state of interim political stability that could collapse at anytime from now. Nobody wants to be a prophet of doom but it is possible that we could do something to avert any civil warfare. Indeed, we could safeguard the peace if we conscientiously explore the issues at stake.
Fifthly, I have enjoyed and learned a lot from this society and feel inspired and propelled by her ideals and one of the ways of giving back to the country I originally come from is to share my story. When I heard about freedom when I was born, I did not experience it until I entered US and experienced it for the first time. I agree that “freedom is not America’s gift to the world as it is God’s gift to humanity” but the truth is God has made human beings to be instruments of God’s freedom as they relate with one another. What about the rest of the people back in the continent trapped? Not everybody will vacate that continent to come to this promise land, you know but we are capable of changing their conditions by seeking ways to enable them have their own share of God’s freedom, indeed.
Whenever in the world, its fails to come to fruition, it is because humans, as “broken and “fallen” as they may be have sometimes flagrantly abused God’s given privilege for them to be the guardians of His freedom to the people. If there is substantial evidence that God’s freedom to the world is in jeopardy or tampered with, it is appropriate for the international community to intervene regardless of the nature of the sovereignty of nations. I have no doubt in my mind that sometimes US has championed the cause for freedom in ways that cannot be told but only experienced by those of us who have come from backgrounds where we lived in the constant fear of the unknown, fear of being arrested arbitrarily, tortured and locked up without trial for dare speaking up.
I cannot miss the distinguish opportunity to embrace the right values and shun the wrong ones. We need to stand up for the things that are consistent with fundamental human values, freedom, free and fair election and election transparency. By telling my story I hope that Americans and other people who have tested freedom or born and raised in it will afford to understand people who have come from backgrounds where they have never tested of it. Also, you may be moved and empowered to stretch out a hand in word or action as I said to help people who are caught in the mess of dictatorship or no freedom. I feel very strongly that many onlookers and sympathizers will get to know our problems and understand our challenges and in this way, could be moved to support us in our struggle to make our country better. I will proceed to talk about Presidential Election in Cameroon in October, 2004, Preventive Peace Building in Cameroon and Ambassadors for Peace. I am sure you will find pleasure in this effort.
Thanks sincerely for your interest
Jonathan Awasom.
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