PREVENTIVE MEASURES: MAKING THE CASE FOR THE PEACE PLAN FOR CAMEROON

    Unveiling the road map for a peace process in Cameroon                                                                                  6/7/06

                                  “Prevention is better than cure”

                     Making the case for a peace process

I like to lift up Cameroon’s concerns to friends of Cameroon. I will also appeal to your conscience and compassion because the oppressed are at the mercy of the greatness of nations and people that can influence genuine change and reforms in Cameroon. In the meantime,  the United States Ambassador to Cameroon  did  speak -up against anti-cosmetic corruption campaign in Cameroon in 2006. It is obvious we need to do more because political motivated  corruption is the number one root cause of conflicts and war in Africa . The Pope has called for his followers to return to the virtue of love. While he visited the Holocaust memorial he cried that “God, why were you silent”. 

These are some good examples of moral leadership because from their voices, we hear a strong appeal for us to be proactive and work hard toward being vehicles of God to communicate the reality on the ground. Why was God silent over the genocide in Rwanda, civil wars, ethnic cleansing in Darfur? As a matter of fact the Pope has challenged us not to ignore the truth or remain quiet. God speaks through us and when we have to speak, let us remember that our silence sometimes has cost humanity so much. We should listen to God’s voice and act now. This is my take on the current situation in Cameroon and my call for dialogue and peaceful restoration.

·         Location of Cameroon and the voice of Cardinal Tumi in Cameroon.

Cameroon is located in West Africa as you can see on the map. Since the inception of independence in 1961, Cameroon like many African countries is plagued by political, economic and social problems. Many experts have already predicted that war is very imminent in Cameroon. One very outstanding moral leader in Cameroon is Cardinal Tumi.He is the Roman Catholic leader and Arch Bishop of the Diocese of Douala.Doaula is the Economic Capital of Cameroon. He declared on Tuesday, May 30^th, 2006 in Briefs and Religion that:

“ The Bishops are there with their prophetic voices. We are not politically interested. We want to see things done in the human person. If it is not respected the church has to step in and call it to the attention of those who are governing. That is our duty and we will continue to do it whether we are listened to or not. Our interest is that we can see war coming. If there will be civil war in this country (Cameroon) one day it will be as a result of electoral fraud and people will arrive at a point and say enough is enough. We have proposed to the government good electoral laws and it is left to those in power. We have no cohesive power to bring pressure on those who govern us- when we think something is good we propose it and those who think it is good should adopt it”

I was intrigued by what the Cardinal said because clearly people in power seem to not bother to listen because the ordinary people have no cohesive power to act appropriately except through violence. This is not the right cause of action. In essence, we have to encourage the world to understand the concern of the Cardinal and the Bishops in Cameroon because we must not paper over the cracks and expose the people to civil war, diseases and other circumstances. This is the time for us to reduce the burden on the international community in dealing with too many civil wars, genocide and ethnic cleansing.

• A former colony of Germany, France and Britain

Cameroon has a bi –culture that was created by the colonial friends before we gained independence in 1961 namely the Germans, French and the British. The British and French were the two former colonial friends that partitioned Cameroon at the end of the scramble for territories. 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). These differences caused by the colonial masters have created problems, which have not been solved since independence. These divisions in the country will escalate in the event of a civil war.

·         Evaluating the State of peace and freedom in Cameroon

One may be tempted to state that Cameroon is the most peaceful country in Africa because it is politically stable! When people are quiet and calm it does not mean that there is peace and happiness. This cannot constitute the basis for stating that peace is reigning. What is happening in Cameroon is majority of the people are confused and lost. They are pushed against the wall and forced to accept the state of affairs under a culture of survival of the able marked by corruption and exploitation. There is absolutely no inner peace in the lives of people groaning. The peace in Cameroon is called hot peace. The majority of the people still live in subjugated and enslaved communities, gnashing their teeth everyday in abject poverty while a selected few live in luxurious in some cities and high-class neighborhoods.

We have to be honest about the state of gross injustice and classism in our society, which unfortunately is used as a standard of dignity for everyone. In other words, the top 10% in our country who are either free in the country or out of the country don’t quite think that Cameroon has any problem. They argue that Cameroon has normal human problems just as any other country in a bid to downplay and cover up the severe conditions of the oppressed. But for how long can we paper over the cracks? We have an obligation to paint a true picture of the imperfect and deplorable human condition in our society with the hope that we could begin to find some solutions to them. Some Cameroonians in the diaspora contend that,  “At a time when one in five African countries continue to suffer from the effects of violent conflict, the majority of Cameroonians can rightly say they live in relative peace and stability. The government rightly deserves credit for this. As do Cameroonian people, of course”.

I had to politely differ with them and my critique is that peace and stability in Cameroon are imposed through dictatorship. The military is ever ready to suppress the people. In this case the use of force to enforce peace and stability without justice when the human rights records are disgusting and many people are suffering leaves much to be desired. The ordinary people of Cameroon who are forced to accept the situation deserve that credit for their endurance and patience but for how long should people endure and be patient? It is abundantly clear that the government has not done anything extra-ordinarily to make Cameroon a peaceful and prosperous country except that the regime works for its own selfish aims and will hurt anyone who dares opposes it. Cameroon has serious internal problems, which if triggered will tear the country into pieces.

This is confirmed by the same report, which after their claim that Cameroon is peaceful and stable sates that: “ Cameroon is a ticking time- bomb and that report outlined the following reasons. The politics of exclusion is persistent. (If you have any doubts about this, ask Cameroonians everywhere: English Speaking minority, people of various ethnicities-the Bamilekes,the Bassas,the Doualas,the Ewondos, the Fulbes,the Toupouris , etc).Persistent and high-Level corruption ensures that only a limited number of Cameroonians have access to the country’s wealth, leaving an ever-growing number of people jobless, angry and frustrated-a perfect recipe for violence. There are no working institutions that guarantee the transparent management of public resources, leaving those in positions of responsibilities to use as they wish the nation’s wealth and borrowings. Public services are in the state of despair, offering no way out for the vulnerable poor in our society”.

How does it sound? Certainly very frustrating and dangerous because if a country is governed in this manner, one cannot gainsay the ultimate outcome. Of course, yes, Cameroon is relatively better than others but it is not pursuing the concrete road map to a peaceful political freedom as expected by conventional wisdom. Cameroon is at the brink of collapse and it will be worst. We can reverse the situation through preemptive peace building as a metaphor for empowering people and offering opportunities to everyone, advocating for people suffering oppression in subjugated neighborhoods, urging the dictators to change their ways. We need to seek forgiveness and reconciliation with the people through dialogue rather than cause wars and flee from the country. The international community, true to itself as they blame the US for unilateral behaviors, should not undermine the problems of the minority English Speaking Cameroonians who can easily be victims of ethnic cleansing- a very possible calamity that can shock the world again just as it occurred in Rwanda and other parts of Africa.

The arrow of God points to the peace treaties that are signed only after civil wars and genocides have ravaged human souls. I think we should start a peace process now, which will lead to the protection of property and souls. When people are quiet and calm it does not mean that there is peace and happiness. This cannot constitute the basis for stating that peace is reigning. What is happening in Cameroon is people are confused and lost. They are pushed against the wall and forced to accept the state of affairs under a culture of survival of the able marked by corruption and exploitation. There is absolutely no inner peace in the lives of people groaning.

• Leadership: US foreign policy with other countries involved in Cameroon is a call.

Ronald Hilton at the United States Institute of Peace said “ The world constantly faces the choice: live in peace or destroy itself”. I was thrilled to learn that the United Congress established the independent peace institute in order to strengthen the nation’s capacity to promote peace in the world. The United States foreign policy in Cameroon is very critical at this time of cold war and transition into a new Cameroon. As a citizen of Cameroon, I am humble to declare that our country is at the verge of collapse. There is tension, anger, fear, anxiety and desperation marked by high rates of tribal conflicts and wars, unemployment, corruption and political frustration by the opposition and the people. Since independence in 1961, we have had only two Presidents. We are already tired of the system for more than 150 years and want to overcome this challenge through a peaceful means.

We are pleading for help to prevent more ethnic cleansing, civil wars and genocides 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 political system is a laughing stock because it has failed to prevent one man from having absolute powers since 1982. As far as the diplomatic relationship of the United States and Cameroon is cordial, I feel very strongly that America should change their diplomatic approach and help to foster freedom. I have argued very vehemently that America provide moral leadership to Cameroon and other nations by helping freedom fighters to export freedom. This means their presence in Cameroon has inspired me and the people to know and believe that “ all people are born equal and endowed by the creator with inherent and inalienable rights among, which include freedom, liberty and pursuit of happiness” These are some of the universal human values, which are meant for everybody living anywhere in the world.

In addition, I have further argued favorably from the standpoint of imperfection, which means we should not discourage ourselves  from doing what is right under the right circumstances. I don’t think that God calls perfect people to act a in a particular manner. I have utmost respect for every nation’s sovereignty but when the lives of the innocent ones, powerless citizens, especially women and children are in danger of any sort, I think that it is humane to intervene and help. At this juncture in Cameroon, we need God’s intervention in our country in order to protect women and the girl child from ever falling victims of ethnic cleansing and abuse like in other countries. My heart goes out to victims in other countries especially the recent case in Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Liberia and others.

Fact is, from what I have been taught, it is justifiable for me to believe that when two nations, which are diametrically different from each other, happen to get together by design or chance, with time God comes in and inspires them to build a covenant. One nation believes, “In God we trust” and the other “In dictatorship we reign”. Who is supposed to lead the other? My faith tells me that there is an invisible conflict between good and evil, light and darkness in this world, which translates in poverty, prejudice, racism, greed, civil war, genocide, ethnic cleansing and more.

There are other conflicts like conflict of ideas between two political parties, families etc but it is not as dangerous as the conflict between good and evil. When evil seems to prevail in the interim, it breeds negative thinkers and consequences. The devil deceives, seduces and lures humanity into circumstances that are self-destructive at the long run. I also feel very strongly that God has called me to become a missionary to North America just as missionaries were called and sent to Cameroon to help us. The difference is that I have come to report and engage the people here to bring God back to the center of our political, diplomatic and missionary activities in the world. I am afraid that some people are trying to downplay on the claims of divine inspiration by the founding fathers who were God’s messengers. After all America was founded on religious principles and set apart from other countries.

It is an inherent and tested truth, which should prevail without being distorted by our political and diplomatic differences. Every person is called to serve God in His vineyard “ I am the vine and you’re the branches to bear fruits”. If one is not called as a pastor or Priest, one may be called as a physician, nurse, governor or President. We cannot deny the place of call within the Christian faith but what we can do is question the validity and credibility of our call. In others words, we should ask theological, faith –based and religious questions about the values we espouse and the actions we carry out in the world. By and large, there is an active and ongoing tension between two opposing forces in our lives. It may be visible or invisible but it does exist in complex ways anywhere and everywhere. We have to deal with these forces because they affect our lives positively or negatively when we don’t know what to do or hoodwinked to believe that there exist only in the church. When humanity succumbs to the forces of evil or darkness, we suffer but when we discern the voice of God and bow to the forces of light, we conquer.

• Reality Check

My rationale is that more than 80% of Cameroonians are oppressed under a system of Government that has been there “forever”. Warfare has not quickened change in the other African countries where there has been civil war, genocide and ethnic cleansing. Cameroonians have similar problems and challenges like countries whose history is already written in a blood bath. However, if we are actively engaged now rather than wait for civil war to take place before rushing there to help we will save many lives. We are at the verge of another difficult transition after 150 years of dictatorship and this time it might be bloodier than it was in 1982, when Mr. Paul Biya became President till date.

Today, there is fear among the current President and his fellow ethnic people that the supporters of his predecessor are playing for time and longing for revenge against the Betis and Ewondos. They are afraid that if political power goes back to North Cameroon largely occupied by the muslems they will set the Betis and Ewondos up and slaughter them in revenge. This fear is creating tension about what will happen if Mr. Paul Biya is no longer President.

Another complex situation is that within this ethnic groups, there are intra-ethnic differences, which are more critical than the over all political picture. Within the English people we have deep internal ethnic conflicts, promoted by the political system. There have been sporadic ethnic conflicts and killings. It is clear that some people are just waiting for the right moment to settle old scores and this usually happens in the midst of any political upheaval.  My heart goes out to the poor and needy who are often caught in between political upheavals and wars. It is in the light of these circumstances that I am appealing to you to help us in Cameroon by creating a Peace and Reconciliation Commission (PRCC), which could agree as follows;

• The US has positioned herself very well during this time as a capable moral force in their diplomatic leadership. I believe that it should benefit  Cameroon and humanity  if we jump-start a conversation about ensuring that civil war or genocide is prevented. 

• The key players in Cameroon’s politics and conflicts are the different leaders. These personalities can be categorized as follows: President Paul Biya, opposition leaders, Parliamentarians, ethnic and tribal leaders, religious leaders, human rights leaders, student leaders, women leaders and other pressure groups that are active in Cameroon now. This should be the first step by categorizing them and listening to them separately to hear what they have to offer; their concerns and needs toward the peace process. 

• We should work toward a free and fair election so that the people in power can give way for peace under the terms of the peace accord. The peace and reconciliation commission should consider the fact that the present administration is afraid to relinquish power because they will be held accountable. Some of the threats from opposition parties instill fear into them making it hard for elections to be free and fair. This type of fear pushes them to stick with the statusquo making it tough for any transparent election. As the years have gone by it has become a vicious cycle gradually moving toward self –destruction as aptly described by Cardinal Christian Tumi. We need some peaceful negotiations and offers, which will convince them to leave power peacefully without killing us. We should care for the women and children who will be most vulnerable afterwards by doing all in our frail humanity to work for peace and understanding.

• Our trading partner is France and we are restricted to do business with other countries.  I think that we should foster a more friendly and realistic international free trade policy in Cameroon just as we trade with France so as to create more opportunities for everyone to do business without being restricted and forced to hang out only with a particular nation. It is such policies, which tantamount to neo-colonialism. An international free trade policy will also benefit the poor and needy as well as the English-speaking minority populations, who have been marginalized. 

•  There is a saying in Africa that “when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers”. The problems in Africa are caused by two or more elephants. In Cameroon, I have the audacity to state that President Paul Biya and Mr. Ni john Fru Ndi are so far the two famous elephants. Okay, let me convince you about this fact. Mr. Paul Biya has been Prime minister of Cameroon under President Amadou Adhijo prior to becoming President in 1982.However, in 1990 Mr. Ni John Fru Ndi took him unawares by launching a new political party to oppose the one party system since 1959.His party was called Social Democratic Front (SDF), while that of President Paul Biya was called Cameroon People Democratic Movement (CPDM).

• Since then, things have been pretty rough and tough. The longing for free and fair elections have been but a nightmare because the ruling party has won all elections regardless of a pattern of election irregularities since 1992. In fact, in 1992 when the first multi-party Presidential election was held, it was widely alleged that Mr. John Fru Ndi won although Mr. Paul Biya was declared the winner and installed. Since then, Mr. Fru Ndi and his supporters across the political and cultural landscape of Cameroon are not happy. They have tried in vain in subsequent elections to win through free and fair elections but this has never happened. It seems very clear that President Paul Biya is hanging in there, tired and overwhelmed but can’t let go.

• As you know some Cameroonians have been made to understand that democracy varies from culture to the other, which means it is Cameroonian officials do organize elections but have the right not to fail because they have made the rules to suit them. These two political players are very important personalities in the peace process. One is more peaceful than the other and in spite of some internal problems within the SDF party, one fact remains, in terms of the political reality, the scenario of civil war will be horrible as it is clear none of these people will have any control over it. We need to help the seating President to leave power without sacrificing our country on the altar of anarchy, meanwhile the wishes of the opposition for an independent electoral commission be granted in order to ensure that the elections are free and fair. These two political figures are pitied at each other’s throat with their supporters through out Europe and North America. However, many Cameroonians who are out of the country seem to be very comfortable to the point where, it is rare to see them have any business with the question to work for peaceful change.

• Many prefer to live things as it is while others feel that the world is corrupt enough to the point where nothing will ever change so long as there is colonialism and neo-colonialism but I don’t quite agree with such schools of thought because in my manuscript I have also argued that neo-colonialism is a hoax. I think that we have been around for long now and should know by now the difference between good and evil.  It is not easy to quit the country and I do know that many of us are out of the country because of different reasons. I guess that the supporters of CPDM and SDF parties across the United States also have an important role to play toward the peace process.  These two political figures are pitied at each other’s throat with their supporters through out Europe and North America. 

• The truth is that some of these leaders I have mentioned are unpredictable. You could never tell that religious leaders could be involved in the genocide in Rwanda or in ethnic cleansing. It happened like that and all the recipes are also in Cameroon. Consequently, we should also involve the different religious missionaries involved in Cameroon through the diplomatic ties that their countries have with that country. Presbyterian, Baptist, Roman Catholics, Lutherans and other non-denominational missionary churches have impacted our lives in many ways. However, we will like to seek their help toward figuring out ways through, which we should work for justice and peace. The main objective is to protect and save the lives of the ordinary people.  The tribal conflicts, which are very rampant ,today are mind boggling. These are recipe for potential outbreak of civil war or genocide.

Commentaries

My heart goes out to families and people whose blood paid the ultimate prize in life. History is filled with ideas and events but none is more sorrowful than the millions of innocent souls who have perished on this earth because they happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time when these conflicts and wars took place. A big portion of the picture of history is colored by blood that was shed by innocent souls. Their bones may be forgotten in mass graves, abandoned on hills and valleys in the bushes somewhere. I cannot find answers to what is going on in this world.

As I look around the world, every country’s history seems to have been marked by a pool of blood. This is time for us to build a pool of peace where we can all drink from it. There are various peace movements in the world that have the will power to mediate and resolve conflicts both at the local and international level. Yet, we are instruments for Justice and peace where there is fear, prejudice, hatred, hopelessness and oppression. They are assuming the “moral responsibilities of the human condition” which is to acknowledge that there is enormous evil in the world called dictatorship, a disguise form of terrorism and silent killer. However, it could be confronted differently.

The most one can do is to reverse the tragedy of civil wars, genocides and ethnic cleansing through acts of compassion and loving-kindness. I was lucky to listen to the Rwandan President over Minnesota Public Radio during his visit to the US in 2004. One thing that stood out clear to me was that the international community was blamed for not acting responsibly enough in order to prevent the genocide there. Nobody wants to be a prophet of doom but it is possible that we could do something to avert any civil warfare in Cameroon now. Indeed, we could win the peace right now if we conscientiously explore the issues at stake wrapped around the totalitarian system in place since 1959.

Conclusion

Finally, I have learned more from this society. I feel inspired and propelled by her ideals. One way of giving back to the country we originally came from is to share our stories and testimonies. The presence of the international community in Cameroon should have meaning on the lives of the people oppressed for more than 150 years today. I could hardly believe that I would live in a democratic and free country like America! When I heard about freedom in Cameroon, I did not experience it until I entered US and experienced it for the first time. God calls people and nations to set His people free.   

What about the rest of the people back in Cameroon trapped? We can rise from grass to grace without unnecessarily spilling human blood. Never again will humanity be ignorant about what is going on out there in Africa or Cameroon because we are asking for your help. Many people who have been to Cameroon have witnessed the imperfect human condition there. We have diplomats, peace corp. volunteers, non-profit organizations and Christian missionaries from this part of the world in Cameroon who have witnessed the situation there. It is my hope that we can all throw our weight behind the peace plan and work together with all the forces for peaceful change in order to prevent civil war or genocide. That is why we have proposed a call for action so that we can begin to mobilize our leaders and friends to work for justice and peace.  Peace and goodwill toward all people

Jonathan Awasom

Pe