SDF Convention Hots Up:Fru Ndi's Lone Challenger Disqualified

  By Peterkins Manyong & Chris Mbunwe

As we went to press, May 25, news filtered that Celestin Jamo Djamen, SDF Secretary of the Paris West Ward, who put in his candidature to challenge John Fru Ndi in the elective convention in Bamenda, has been disqualified.

This paves the way for Fru Ndi to go it alone and probably succeed himself  as National Chairman of the SDF. A day before his official disqualification, Djamen told the press he would push his case during the Convention. this did not come to past as the investiture committee declared him unfit to stand.

Earlier, during a press conference to explain why he intended to challenge Fru Ndi, Djamen defended the Chairman’s long stay in power. He named advanced countries like Britain, France and Germany where he said there is no limit to the number of times somebody can vie for the highest post in the state.

Apparently defending the Chairman's long stay at the helm of the party, Djamen told listeners that their slogan is "Power to the people and equal opportunity."

This, he said, meant that legitimacy lies with the militants who alone could decide to keep a leader for as long as they deemed necessary. But this support for Fru Ndi did not turn the tides in Djamen’s favour.

Djamen, however, took exception to what he described as mischievous and indiscriminate application of the dreaded article 8.2 of the SDF Constitution.

He reiterated that he submitted his documents to contest for the SDF top job on October 4, 2005, and blamed Peter Mbafor, President of his Ward for not transmitting his documents to the Party's headquarters.

On how committed he was to the SDF given that he lives in France, Djamen said the thinking of the French did not influence him. He also denied having any inclination to hand over the SDF to the CPDM.

Djamen described himself as an uncompromising radical and once more blamed the SDF for abandoning the radical approach with which it began in 1990.He said Fru Ndi did well at the beginning, but within the last 10 years he has been declining.

He also lamented the rate of resignation in the SDF, which sparked off in 2002 after the twin elections.Despite its shortcomings, the politician said the SDF is the only party capable of bringing change to Cameroon.

It was this conviction, he said, which pushed him to write his book "Mon projet pour le Cameroun; une nation, une reve".As we went to press, news filtered from Bamenda that Djamen's candidature had been finally rejected.

Comments

[Celestine Fosung Nke]

We are in deep trouble in Cameroon. Political confusion at its zenith. We are in need of a Luther king.

This man, knowingly or unknowingly is aiding Biya in their quest to destroy Cameroon.

Will a nation buckle under economic and political confusion?

Let a nation not fold up like a private company.

[Motto]

We are in for a real bullshit.

When shall we learn?

WHO IS FOOLING WHO???????????

[BenB]

Hi friends,

We're not surprised at Djamen's disqualification, are we? We know, of course, who is the chairman of the investiture committee, don't we? And his name is... Ni John. Player and referee. That should have been Ngwasiri's job, but... Ni don take put am for pocket. That's our SDF.

- SDF!
- Pawa!
- SDF!!
- Pawa!!
- S-D-FFFFFF!!!!
- Pawa to de pipo an ikwo opitinitis.
- Who are de pipo?
- We are de pipo.
- Who has de pawa?
- We...em...em... ok Ni and Mbah Ndam have de pawa.
- SDF!
- Pawa!
- S-D-FFFFF!!
- Pawa to Ni and Mbah Ndam and politics of exclusion.

God save us.

Son of Ako, intensify the fasting. Please don't swallow even your saliva. Dry fasting.

BenF

[Teribobs]

It has always been a one man show. JFN's dictionary hasn't got the word democracy. Use any means to keep a rival or threat far off is JFN's motto. By the way, this DJAMEN is probably looking for a means of selling his book or just in search of CHEAP POPULARITY. Well all he ought to have done was just to let the EUROS pass through skilled hands and the deal is done. If there is loophole in the deal and you dare raise an eyebrow, you are hit with 8.2. JFN's epitaph will probably be Article 8.2.
Can't wait for tomorrow.

[BenB]

I told you people that this people you can't pamper them. They are just like a drunk uncle who comes home fuming and angry at everything including the sound of his own breathing.

You say, "Uncle welcome" he hits you. You say, "Uncle I like your shirt" he hits you. You say, "Uncle, those people hate you but I like you" (Djamen tried that) he hits you. You hide under your pillow and cry in order not to WASH THE DIRTY LINEN IN PUBLIC, he hits you.

Ah ah! Tell me you no go run comot go for corner road go shout fine fine sotey pipo dem wake up for sleep? You no shout say na mop you no get am for cry? Cry fine fine!

You have to shout out loud. Loud enough not to die in silence. That way neighbours, your parents and your other uncles will come and settle the matter.

When trouble don too much e de comot for house.

BenF

[JTS]

Poor Djamen. You probably thought there was democracy in the SDF. You were very wrong.How did you expect Fru Ndi's brother in France to submit your name? Just wait, your dismissal letter is probably being prepared. Take it before you return to France. After the convention you will realise that SDF has not been hijacked by anglophones as you claim. It is the personal property of Fru and his graffi brothers. Suffer don finish for pa Fru for ever.

[BenB]

Doomsday-… less than 24 hours

Ni John Number 9 (I) like Eto

Na party dat di go he so! Dem don spoil am. Na he dis wey coach di wan draw line-up players dem no di corret. The key players in the team have dispersed their talents and skills. Some this way, others the other way. How man go do?

Going back to our traditional football jersey numbering, you remember in the early 1990s, Ni John used to be lined up as the number 5 full defence or back-keeper as the defence was called in the old school.

I think it was erroneous. Ni John was the key player and could only be the playmaker – 10 or the goal poacher – 9. I think he could still be even today, everything being equal. Unfortunately everything isn’t equal. But for now, he still is our Number 9, because as many of us here love to say, there is no replacement for him yet.

We forget that there won’t EVER be one, until the political space is opened and the game made fair for talents to emerge. Well, Ni John is still our Number 9 and that’s why we paid tribute to him on doomsday-9.

Now this is where there is a problem:

Look at our famous Number 9 Samuel Eto. We know he has come a long way to be moving mountains today. For years in the past he was a key player but won’t score us vital goals. You know why? He was selfish with the ball. He kept the ball to himself, wanting to score all the goals alone. He scored only a few or nothing sometimes.

But see today, Eto has matured. Eto don ripe. Though the Number 9, he even pulls back to be the playmaker like Number 10, giving the balls for others to score. You see the way it turns out? He ends up scoring most of the goals.

BenF

[Uncle D]

It is said that "charity begins at home" so if at the helm of the party you don't want to give a chance, then when will that be? After becoming the President?
This is really;
-Political shit
-SDF shit
-Opposition shit
-Anglophone shit
-Cameroon shit

Foolish.

[BenB]

Doomsday-… less than 24 hours

Ni John Number 9 (II) like Milla

Remember another famous Number 9, Roger Milla. We know he is now a living football legend for the marvelous things he did in the game. But we seem to have forgotten that in the past - let’s take the 1982 World Cup in Spain - Milla was the key player but he looked like an obstacle in the progress of the game.

There was often talk that Milla had “jazz”. If he didn’t score, no one else would score. So the feeling among the players was a difficult choice. Do they play without Milla and have others score? But could they play without Milla, the key player? What would you do faced with such a dilemma? The result then, that looked good but never brought trophies to the indomitable Lions can prick our minds.

We remember there was a budding Number 9 at the time, Eyobo Alain, playing for Dynamo. In one of the World Cup matches Milla was injured. The coach Jean Vincent naturally wanted to replace Milla with Eyobo who was like the back up Number 9. Though seriously hurt, Milla refused to quit. Many believed Milla feared if he gave Eyobo a chance, the new guy could have performed and the coach might have begun having second thoughts about fielding Milla again.

Milla refused to quit. He blocked the way for another talent to blossom. But someone here would have said, We can’t replace Milla because for now there is no replacement. By the way, Manga Onguene, the other top Number 9 – Milla’s archrival - had been abandoned in Germany where the Lions were training, after he suffered a mysterious injury. Many suspected Milla and Milla’s attitude didn’t help matters for him.

That was our great Number 9 Milla. Key player but bad intentions and selfish at that time. He stood in the progress of the game. Now see when Milla really earned glory was when he played only for a few minutes.

Sometimes the loose ball just came to him like in the Cameroon-Colombia game in World Cup 1990. Or in the 1988 African Nations Cup when the Ivorian goalkeeper panicked with the ball and let it bounce against Milla’s thighs into the goal.

And we could see that in a match in World Cup 1990 when Milla gave a pass – a “cutback” – but he was faster to the ball than anyone else, so he collected his own pass and scored the goal. Milla!!

They say if you love something, set it free, if it’s really yours, it will come back to you.

BenF

[MOMO]

writing from yaounde
hi friends all is well here,our convention is going to hold.we have very able candidates froom the so call grassroots and the taredroots.professors doctors teachers farmers fishermen and you name the rest.
shame to the doom men.
let them speak.we have held press conferences and have given people the right to speak their minds.
longlive the true sdf

[MOMO]

writing from yaounde
hi friends all is well here,our convention is going to hold.we have very able candidates froom the so call grassroots and the taredroots.professors doctors teachers farmers fishermen and you name the rest.
shame to the doom men.
let them speak.we have held press conferences and have given people the right to speak their minds.
longlive the true sdf

[Vally]

No more comments about the other convention.The yaounde convention is far into gear,we are ready for all i saw the famous Nyah lady today,doomsday criers are bound to fail,the best alternatives for the sdf will be discussed in yaounde.

We hear the dictator is unchallenged, goodluck.In yaounde the candidates are many,free campaign for all,express yourself and what you have for the sdf,this is democracy not gansterism.

Vally
England.

[BenB]

Doomsday-… less than 24 hours

Ni John Number 9 (III) like Babangida “Maradona”?

Yes, if you love something, set it free, if it’s really yours, it will come back to you. That happens even in politics. Let’s take a notorious case: Nigerian military dictator Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.

He was nick-named Maradona for his savvy in politics. Never mind that the real Maradona was Number 10. Diego Maradona was a goal poacher, though he was basically a playmaker.

Even when a politician is as bad as Babangida could have been perceived to be, and since qualities are best weighed only in comparison, the errors of their successors could make them look like a lesser evil.

When that happens you hear signs of people changing their minds, reconsidering their critical position. Naturally. You'll hear them say: “Well, he was even a good man only that…” and later: “Even sef, who be angel? Any man get he won weaknesses.”

My friends, that only comes genuinely after the successor would have failed. We saw that when Biya’s failures started emerging. People began crying for Ahidjo; even Ahidjo who wasn't admired by many.

We saw people demonstrate on the streets of Yaounde in the early 1990s, carrying Ahidjo’s photo and crying they wished he could resurrect and return to power. See how that has left Biya in perpetual fear of even Ahidjo’s corpse. He can’t let the poor man’s body come and rest at a cool corner in Garoua.

Yes, a failed politician could become a missed hero if he quit honourable, but if they sit tight as if it’s a matter of life and death – like Abacha – it could quit them in disgrace.

A certain opinion in Nigeria (increasingly popular by the day) is now beckoning on Babangida to return to power.

Babangida gave Nigerians eight terrible years at the helm of state with wicked and dirty acts people hate to remember like the letter bomb that killed journalist Dele Giwa, execution of his childhood friend Gen. Maman Vatsa, drug dealings with Gloria Okon, annulment of Abiola’s clean and clear victory, et al.

Today, because he quit in time and his more ruthless friend Abacha stuck to his guns blindly and lost face with the people, Babangaida looks redeemed and is now being rehabilitated.

During Abacha’s ruthless reign, many Nigerian’s could be heard saying, “Babangida be better oh. Sah! Dis Abacha man sef na human being, abi? Better dem bring back Babangida.”

Ni John should learn from this.

BenF

[Klemenceau]

Momo, Vally, BenB, Jts, Teribobs et al

You guys should not be deceived. Let's wait and see the out come of the Convention in Yaounde. You guys are shouting that Fru Ndi has been allowed to run alone. Is he the one who said Djamen's file should not be sent to Cameroon.

I'm writing today the 26th. We will get the results by noon, Cameroon time.
Shalom
Klemenceau.

[BenB]

Doomsday-… less than 24 hours

Ni John Number 9 (IV)

Fon Lawrence, the arguments you’ve made justifying Ni John’s longevity, I’ve made them too in oral debates. And I agree with a lot of the points you made. Longevity in executive office or at the helm of state is not the same as leading a political party – a movement like the SDF for that matter.

But here’s what you overlooked:

As far as I’m concerned, the SDF crisis is not about Ni John’s staying chairmanship. It’s about the methods of the chairmanship, and this I strongly believe has to do with his entourage. I know to some people this resembles what we said of Biya in the late 80s and early 90s. We often said the problem with Biya is his entourage, not he himself.

Even so, I still insist that the problem is the entourage and some blind militants like some of us on this forum, who like fanatical fans are cheering Ni John even when he keeps the ball to himself, refusing to pass the ball to others who could score. Or maybe we don't know if they can score but they should be given a chance; they should not be denied their right to run for office. They should be defeated in the race, not disqualified.

Like you Fon, I have mentioned Abdoulaye Wade, not really for his joining Senghorist governments, but for being the eternal head of his Partie Démocratique du Sénégal (PDS). I’ve said, and been scorned for it, referring to Mandela in SA and Sam Nujoma, in Namibia that revolutionary leaders stay the course and carry it to its logical end, through thick and thin.

However, - and this is where you’re not so right - followers don’t just let a leader sit tight for the simple sake of letting them stay the course. Leaders have to earn it and in the case of Mandela, Nujoma and Wade, they earned it. Yes, they faced challenges too but we know so well – can we argue over this? – that they didn’t use politics of exclusion to elbow others out.

Now let me remind you that Sam Nujoma who finally led Namibia to independence was not the pioneer leader of SWAPO. He only replaced Toiva ja Toiva who remained faithful to the cause and at independence took a cabinet post under Nujoma.

In South Africa – and we often forget this – Oliver Tambo who had led the ANC for decades during Mandela’s jail time had had his feet on the ground so solidly he could have wanted to keep it. But when the time came he shifted and gave way for Mandela.

And I bet you, if at any time it looked like there was something about Mandela that could stand in the way of the ANC, that could make the party lose useful human resources as we see with the SDF today, Mandela would have been shelved and I know he would have had the good sense to give way. He has shown that nothing was more important than the welfare of the people.

His own wife, Winnie who is revered in SA about the same way we worshipped Ni John here in the 1990s, was shelved because her acts stood to cost the ANC. My friends, the movement and the nation – the people’s welfare - should stand above an individuals glory.

And remember, even the best Number 9 man needs to pass the ball.

BenF

[BenB]

Doomsday-… less than 24 hours

Ni John Number 9 (V) Offside

The way some of us behave on this forum it’s as if the day Ni John is no longer chairman, they won’t be SDF militants. They are Fru Ndiists not SDF militants. After all, Ni John is himself an institution. He is sufficiently popular to sanction the SDF and say, Well, I don go me. We go see who wey de pipo go follow. (That could be a good idea o, Ni John.)

In that case maybe they may create their Fru Ndiist party and we welcome them to go because their presence in this party even scares away useful potential voters. Those who would join if they left would outnumber those who left. They are only good for noisemaking. If they left, our party would become more attractive to militants and voters like Atangana whom someone here asked to leave this forum because of his name.

And who knows? If that happened, my friends I’d stay with my SDF but maybe one day I’d vote for Ni John if he continued to prove to be promising. Remember the Clinton Republicans and Reagan Democrats?

But for as long as Ni John has surrounded himself with the wrong people and he now is clearly a problem, we can’t grant him eternal leadership simply borrowing from Abdoulaye Wade. If he fails to pass the ball or doesn’t want to be replaced to advance the game, we can’t stand by him unconditionally, not even I a Fru Ndiist.

And the Number 9 who keeps the ball too long may easily be offside.

SDF going…

BenF

[knganjo]

AN OPEN MEMO TO THE SDF BAMENDA CONVENTION,
26 – 28 May 2006

The under mentioned persons have viewed with concern the recent happenings in the SDF party as it approaches its anniversary Convention in Bamenda on 26 May 2006. Fearful that as the battle lines are drawn and the critical day approaches, some people of bad faith may opt for “dividing the baby” and, consequently, sign the death warrant of this party of hope, we urge the Convention participants to take a critical look at the proposals made below and to take whatever measures are necessary to rescue the SDF from the edge of the cliff where, in our humble view, it is being led like a lamb to the slaughter by some unscrupulous people bent on seeing the last of this great party.

To begin with, we hereby address a message of condolence to the entire SDF family for their departed friends and comrades. We address a special message of condolence to party Chairman, Ni John Fru Ndi, following the death of his wife and fellow combatant in the struggle for improving the lot of Cameroonians.

For ease of reference, our proposals are in numbered paragraphs.

A. Amendment of the SDF Constitution

1. The present Constitution of the SDF has served the party faithfully for the past 16 years. It would be pragmatic to say that the Constitution needs to be reviewed. Circumstances have changed since the inception of the SDF party. Article 8.2 has been invoked on several occasions to bring erring members and officials to their senses, and often to their knees. Of recent, Article 11.4 has been cited in the courts to try to draw the cover to one side, to the detriment of the other side.

2. A piecemeal amendment of the Constitution to give the party Chairperson more powers to appoint members of NEC would not serve the party’s interests since it would be viewed as a kind of gerrymandering. It would offer detractors and enemies of the SDF an opportunity to view the Chairperson as a dictator or as one who preaches virtue and practises vice. To be logical, an amendment in this direction would have to be extended to all the levels of the party, thus killing the spirit of democracy that should reign in the SDF.

3. We propose that, for the SDF to respond to the times, its Constitution should be amended; but it should be amended in a responsible manner. Consequently, the ongoing drive to amend the Constitution at the Bamenda Convention should be re-considered. Instead of amending the Constitution just for the sake of giving the Chairperson wider powers and exposing him or her to future accusations of favouritism, a Constitutional Amendment or Review Panel should be set up at the Convention to look into all the avenues of modernising the SDF Constitution.

4. The terms of reference of the Constitutional Amendment or Review Panel would be to sanitise the SDF Constitution. At the end of its mandate, the appellation “SDF Founding Fathers” should become an honorary position. The “Founding Fathers” are like midwives who helped deliver a baby. As soon as the baby can stand on its feet, the midwife should leave centre stage. Also, at the end of the Panel’s mandate, the roles of the NEC and NAC should be clearly defined so that they do not overlap. In general, the powers of an appointed body should not exceed those of an elected body. Clear provision should be made for transitional periods in the life of the structures put in place by the Constitution. This presupposes that the terms of office of the various officials and structures should be limited to avoid the effects of burn-out.

5. The place of women in the SDF should be re-examined and strengthened in the Constitution. Women should climb the rungs of power on the basis of their ability and not on an ideological basis.

6. An offshoot of the Constitution, the Standing Orders, should be used to expand on the major themes set forth in the Constitution. These could include provisions on:
(a) Transparency and representation: The affairs of the party should be run in a transparent and representative manner. All the provinces or regions of Cameroon should be fairly represented in the different organs of the party to avoid accusations of tribalism in the party.
(b) Finances: Checks and balances should be put in place to ensure that financial dealings in the party are not carried out by individuals for unspecified purposes. An audit bench should be set up to ensure that no person or group of persons should use the party funds for their own benefit.
(c) Parliamentary grant: All SDF MPs should present an annual report to the NEC on their management of the parliamentary grant, and the overall results of these reports should be presented to the National Convention. Cross-constituency checks should be conducted on the use of these grants as follows: Delegates from one constituency should be sent to another constituency to assess how MPs of that constituency have used the grant.
(d) Party property: Legally binding measures should be drawn up on the use of the party’s property. Any attempt by an official to cling to party property after being voted out of office should be resolved quickly under these measures to ensure continuity.
(e) Communication/Public Relations: The day to day communication work of the party should be left in the hands of the Propaganda Officer (Communication Secretary). This official should be the one to speak on behalf of the party at press conferences and issue party propaganda, unless otherwise decided by the NEC. In order to avoid cacophony, other party officials should not convene press conferences to advance their personal aspirations. The SDF could envisage a national radio transmission channel to which listeners, especially SDF grassroots militants can tune in at appointed times for party propaganda. This could be supplemented by a strong bi-weekly paper that will sell the party ideology as well as counter interferences that may endanger the reputation of the party.
(f) Bilingualism: To avoid conflicts arising from language use (see the argument surrounding the interpretation of the SDF Constitution where one side decided to use one version of the Constitution to advance its cause), bilingualism should be encouraged in the party, and there should be annual stints for party leaders to school themselves on one or the other official language and on other languages in general. The translation of the basic texts of the party should clearly indicate which version is authoritative in case of conflict.

B. Discipline

7. SDF militants from the grassroots through party vanguards to the top brass of the party should be schooled on tolerance and respect for public property, duly constituted authority, human dignity and members of other political parties. Criticism of the party hierarchy and of others must be constructive and devoid of insults, blackmail and misinformation. In return, those who indulge in constructive criticism, of the party, for example, should not be branded as enemies.

C. Post-Convention activities

8. Immediately after the Convention, and in addition to any follow-up action decided on by the Convention, the SDF should address the following issues, if these have not yet been included in the follow-up action as above:
(a) Upcoming elections: the Convention should empower the newly elected NEC to immediately begin preparations for the upcoming municipal and legislative elections. Emphasis should be (but not exclusively) on the SDF strongholds of the Littoral, West, South West and North West provinces. To avoid being branded as a regional party, the SDF should do all in its power to have representation, albeit limited, in the other provinces.
(b) Independent Electoral Commission: The SDF should be proactive. It should immediately produce, publish and submit its version of the Independent Electoral Commission to the National Assembly. This would offer the party an opportunity to begin mounting pressure on the government to create this organ before the organisation of the council and parliamentary elections in 2007.
(c) Voter registration: The Convention should empower the new NEC to ensure that militants are mobilised at all levels to register massively in the electoral registers. The new NEC should be despatched all over Cameroon to sensitise Cameroonians in general and SDF militants in particular to this issue.
(d) Voting in the Diaspora: The SDF should lobby the government and the international community to secure the participation of Cameroonians living abroad (the Diaspora) in elections conducted in Cameroon.
(e) Reconciliation: Dissenting voices in the SDF need not call for Article 8.2 sanctions all the time. The SDF should seek for reconciliation with its expelled members who show remorse and are willing to re-commit themselves to the aspirations and doctrine of the party.
(f) Shadow politics: As a leading opposition party, the SDF should be prepared with its answers to the various components of government business. The leader of the leading opposition party should always be in a position to show the weaknesses inherent in government policy and offer himself/herself and his/her team (shadow cabinet) as an alternative to the existing dispensation. In the event of any coalition with another party, the SDF should ensure that its political weight is adequately reflected in the coalition.
(g) Party house or Secretariat: A party house worth its name should be built in Bamenda or elsewhere to forestall criticisms of dictatorship, witchcraft and the like arising from holding meetings in private homes.
End of Open Memo

Contributors to the Open Memo to the SDF Bamenda Convention:
Samleyin (Aloysius Galabe);
KNganjo (Kennedy Nganjo);
Fon Lawrence;
Klemenceau (Tadia Clement);
Watesih (San Ke);
Coordinated/edited

[knganjo]

This Memo has been forwarded to the interim SG of the sdf in Bamenda.We are told it will be discussed by convention delegates.

[BenB]

YAOUNDE IS READY

Les militants arrivent, depuis hier, par convois entiers. Au palais des Congrès, la salle est préparée avec un soin particulier. Les dissidents affichent leur sérénité.

“Le congrès va se tenir dans tous les cas. Si on ne nous permet pas de l’organiser dans cette salle du palais des Congrès que nous avons louée, nous la tiendrons dans les installations de notre siège à Olezoa ”. L’aveu de M. Zamboue résume les nouvelles dispositions sécuritaires prises à Yaoundé.

La police ne peut pas entrer dans les installations d’un parti politique, qui a le droit d’organiser tout événement à sa convenance sans autorisation, selon lui. L’ex président provincial du Centre, aujourd’hui rallié au clan dissident, conduit par Ngwassiri, est formel. Le 7ème congrès du Social Democratic Front (Sdf) va se tenir ce jour, 26 mai, à Yaoundé comme initialement annoncé. Même si, pour l’instant, des informations sur la santé du président du Nac, le député Ngwassiri sont inquiétantes. Il a un problème de dyalise, et un blocage de reins. Il sera représenté par Madame Mengue Mballa qui ouvrira les travaux, en cas d’empêchement.

Ce sont ainsi 2400 délégués issus des 338 structures de base du parti qui sont attendus à cette rencontre, qui devrait aboutir au bout du compte à l’élection des membres du Bureau national et des autres charpentes dirigeantes du mouvement.

En attendant l’heure H, les délégations des provinces du grand Nord et du Centre arrivent depuis le mercredi 24 mai, et par vagues successives. 600 membres arrivent du grand Nord exclusivement, à deux jours d’intervalle, simplement parce que la Camrail n’a pas consenti à mettre à leur disposition les 200 places nécessaires, selon Pascal Zamboué qui passe le clair de son temps à la salle de 1 500 places du palais des congrès à superviser, dit-il, le plan de salle.

Et qui se réjouit de ce que ces activités se tiennent conformément aux dispositions statutaires qui ont été soigneusement évitées par le clan Fru Ndi. “ Lequel ne peut s’en prendre qu’à lui-même face à la scission maintenant consommée de leur mouvement ”, selon les déclarations de M. Zamboue.

Au siège du parti à Olézoa, la salle située à l’entrée du bâtiment qui abrite habituellement les conférences, a été vidée de son contenu pour accueillir les militants qui sont attendus tout au long des journées du 25 et 26 du mois en cours. Un budget prévisionnel de près de 35 millions en recettes a été arrêté. Il proviendra des cotisations des députés Sdf qui ont rallié cette faction à raison d’un million de F Cfa chacun. Le même montant est attendu des maires Sdf et cadres du parti, et 7 millions des militants de la diaspora par exemple.

Les dépenses quant à elles, sont presque équivalentes aux recettes. Pour l’heure, la totalité de ces fonds n’a pas encore été collectée. Les candidatures sont déjà connues, qui devaient être validées hier 25 mai dans l’après-midi au cours d’une conférence organisée sur le sujet. Pour autant, celles du Président, de son 2è adjoint, du secrétaire général, et du chargé de la communication sont déjà connues.

Il s’agit respectivement de Bernard Muna, de dame Mengue Mballa, de Pascal Zamboué, et de madame Sadio.

Irène Sidonie Ndjabun
Publié le 25-05-2006
La Nouvelle Expression

[Fon Lawrence]

Memo coordinated/edited by Langai Thedon
Sorry the name did not appear

[BenB]

Wonna hear: CPDM Secretary general invited to Bamenda Convention. Which parties often attend SDF convention? Who knows the answer? Ally parties. So CPDM is ally of SDF FRU-NDAM.

Read in La Nouvelle Expression. Weh! We own don finish. Da pipo dem don spoil we party finish.

SDF
GRANDE MOBILISATION A BAMENDA

- Plus de 1500 délégués enrégistrés - Le dossier du challenger de Fru Ndi introuvable - A Yaoundé le camp Ngwassiri s’active

L’information qui circulait le plus dans les milieux du Social Democratic Front (Sdf), hier 25 mai 2006, a Bamenda: Ni John Fru Ndi sera candidat à sa propre succession. Les journalistes et certains responsables de ce parti se la partageaient, hier, à la résidence du Chairman, à Ntarikon.

En d’autres termes, Célestin Djamen ne va pas challenger Fru Ndi, comme il l’a annoncé à travers les médias, depuis plusieurs semaines déjà. Le candidat à la présidence du principal parti de l’opposition camerounaise, venu de France, s’est longuement expliqué dans la presse, battant campagne, sans vérifier si son dossier de candidature était arrivé au comité de validation des candidatures via le Nec (Comite exécutif national) du Sdf.

C’est du moins l’explication qu’il donnait, jusqu’à 17 heures, hier, a certains hommes de médias accourus aux nouvelles à la résidence de Elisabeth Tamajong, celle qui joue le rôle de secrétaire général du parti depuis un bon bout.

A la résidence du Chairman, en effet, l’information allait de bouche à oreille, le plus souvent sous cape. Car, en ce moment-là, une session extraordinaire du Nec se tenait, et a laquelle prenait part le militant du Sdf venu de France, Célestin Djamen.

Ce dernier devrait dévisager le circuit par lequel il a envoyé son dossier de candidature, qui ne serait jamais arrivé. ”Celui qui l’aurait distrait devrait être sanctionne”, bavardait un responsable du Sdf. Et, au moment où nous quittions Ntarikon, vers 18 heures, sous une pluie battante, rien n’avait filtré de cette réunion du Nec.

En réalité, les choses ne devraient pas changer, au vu de la liste ”officielle” des candidatures que la responsable de la communication, Béatrice Anenmbong Munjo, distribuait aux médias.

Mobilisation
En effet, à quelques heures de l’ouverture du 7eme congrès du Sdf, la résidence du Chairman est le seul point d’attraction. Le point le plus chaud, ou tout le monde se dirige. Arrivée dans la ville, La Nouvelle Expression a déjà aperçu a l’embranchement qui y conduit, un certain Oumbe Defo Sangong, celui qu’on nomme le ”madame Foning de l’Ouest”, au vu de sa capacité de mobilisation.

Il était 16h10 minutes. Assez proche de la tendance Fru Ndi aux affaires maintenant à l’Ouest, il était certainement prendre le pouls avant de conduire ses troupes le lendemain. ”La mobilisation est totale”, dit-il, annonçant 300 délégués et plus de 450 vanguards qui prendront le départ à Bafoussam, ce matin, pour Bamenda.

Quelques pas plus loin, c’est Jean Michel Nintcheu qui prend place dans son véhicule. ” J’arrive là. Je vais prendre mes comprimés”, explique le président provincial du Sdf du Littoral. Il reviendra d’ailleurs quelque 45 minutes après. D’un coin à l’autre de la résidence du Chairman, des hommes et des femmes vont et viennent, des responsables et militants du Sdf pour la plupart. Contrairement à certaines habitudes, l’entrée y est moins filtrée. Dans la cour, Ni John Fru Ndi se détend un peu. Il est approché par quelques militants qui ne manquent pas de faire allégeance. Une affaire de pouvoir.

Le candidat déclaré à la convention qui s’ouvre ce jour, est bien relax. Il cause bien un bout, avant d’aller rejoindre les siens dans la salle attenante de son ”palais” où se tient la réunion du Nec, pour les derniers réglages.

Hormis l’ambiance de Ntarikon, le congrès du Sdf n’est pas très perceptible dans la ville de Bamenda. Si l’on fait une comparaison avec les années antérieures, ce n’est pratiquement pas le branle-bas des années 90. ”La scission qui sévit dans le parti aujourd’hui y est pour quelque chose”, analyse un journaliste du coin.

Venant de Bafoussam, il faut atteindre Financial Square pour voir quelques vert-blanc du Sdf. Sur le ciel de Bamenda se dressent quelques banderoles, sans couleur. Même celui de Liberty Square, à l’entrée de l’Avenue commerciale, ou des citoyens étaient tombés sur des balles le 26 mai 1990, n’est pas trop parlant.

” Bienvenue à la 7ème convention du Social Democratic Front. Conférence de la Renaissance du 26 au 28 mai 2006”, y lit-on.

Cardinal Tumi
Au palais de congrès de Bamenda, à “ Back men market”, où se dérouleront les travaux, juste une banderole négligée barre l’entrée. Aucune disposition n’etait encore prise. Rien aux couleurs du Sdf dans les parages.

Mais, Emmanuel Pobdinga, le mototaximan qui y conduit le reporter rassure que ”les choses vont bouger d’ici demain (ce jour)” . Sur son deux-roues est dressé un drapeau aux couleurs du parti de Fru Ndi. Il dit appartenir à un groupe de mototaximen militants ”convaincus de la convention du Sdf”.

Selon le programme remis aux médias, le congrès s’ouvre ce vendredi 26 mai par un défilé au stade municipal de Bamenda. Ce sera à 11 heures et les personnes qui l’animeront sont les “vanguards”, les membres du Nec, les maires et députés, et les responsables provinciaux.

L’ouverture officielle est prévue dans la salle du palais des Congrès à 14 heures. Le clou de ce 7ème congrès est annoncé pour le samedi 27 mai, à 18 heures : les élections au Nec. Il s’achèvera le dimanche à 9 heures par un culte œcuménique, auquel prendront part plus de 1500 délégués.

Sont également attendus 173 personnalités invitées, dont le secrétaire général du Rdpc, Charles Doumba, le cardinal Christian Tumi, Benjamin Menguede représentant l’ambassadeur des Etats-unis, etc.

M. Kisito NGALAMOU, à Bamenda
Publié le 25-05-2006
La Nouvelle Expression

[Fon Lawrence]

It would have been a terrible shame if the Ngwasiri´s gang complete failed to make Cameroonians know that they are still alive on as the day for the convention approaches.Any news coming from Y´de is Propaganda.

We know the SdF family is in Bamenda evident in that all provinces organised their primaries and unanimously declared for Bamenda.Any noise from Y´de will be short lived

[Ndi O N]

Fon Lawrence and other members of the "Open MEMO to the SDF convension in Bamenda"
That was a job well done. I can see the concern you have for your people. By the will of God,all will be well. I thank him for you all that contributed. Victory is near for God allows certain things to happen at a particular time to draw us closer to him. Victory is for all.
Best wishes to the Bamenda Convention.

[Dr. A. A. Agbormbai]

Samleyin (Aloysius Galabe);
KNganjo (Kennedy Nganjo);
Fon Lawrence;
Klemenceau (Tadia Clement);
Watesih (San Ke);

With all the garbage that you lot have been posting on this forum regarding Fru Ndi, I must for once praise your efforts in coming up with a useful intellectual piece on sorting out the Bamenda version of the SDF party.

However, with the insecurity and dictatorship that underpin the behaviour of the protagonists of this SDF, I doubt very much that your important suggestions will go down well with them.

Nevertheless, I believe that the Yaounde SDF can, and will, benefit a great deal from your proposals. Ultimately you too may be forced to abandon the false SDF and join the true version.

[Klemenceau]

Dr. A. A. Agbormbai

My Dearest DR. you forgot one name: Langai Thedon. The MEMO was cordinated by him.
Many others who contributed to this have not been mentioned but you sure know them.

We don't need your praises please. You better keep on writing the two lines of praises you have always been writing. You call our contributions in this forum garbage because we have always criticized your ideas.
You better stop attaching the title DR. to your name because I can't see your importance in this forum. You always hide behind only to come in and chip two lines and disappear.

Shalom

Klemenceau.

[Atem]

BenF,
To say you are an idiot is an understatememt.Infact you are a yam.Please just stop writing about things you know nothing of and stop pretending to be who you are not. Hear him "And the number 9 who keeps the ball for too long may easily be offside" Even football you no know massa? A person is offside when he waits for(or collects) for the ball from the wrong position and NEVER when he keeps the ball.You can never be outside by keeping the ball.
You are just a disgrace on this forum.

[Enow]

BenF,Vally of England,Mukete,Momo et al...
Please eat your last meal today and be ready to commit suicide tomorrow.Fru has won and no SDF convention in Yaounde!
Or maybe you guys wait for ngwasirri to commit suicide first before you follow.
Wena mammy them all!
Long live the true SDF.

[Njeck Howard]

Why all this anger, Fru Ndi is the only tiger that resisted one of the highest Dictator in the world with out spending a day in the cell.

Anger will not take use any where. You people should sit together "with the crying for ministeral post from Biya"and create another party.

We all have a problem withern the anglophone community that we dont want to address.
Is Fru Ndi the chairman of SCNC. Where have we gone with SCNC that we want to take SDF to.
The single Giant who gave all to craete a voice for the opressed is now a target.

Gain your Independence with SCNC and stop disturbing. We dont have the strength to came out an mass to proclaim our Independence but only have power to institute democracy in SDF.
Shame, Shame to Southern Cameroonians.
Mandela of Cameroon Fru Ndi Long Life Pa of Tarikon. No mind them.
Former SG, Ben Muna, sale out Ngwasiri Go create your own party like Fru Ndi.
Diaspora voice. Njeck Howard. USA

[kitstoff]

I am very proud for the contributions and suggestions that were edited and posted by Langai Thedon. Infact, come to think of it. How could we expect to stay blind to realities. It is infact glaringly visible that we have resource personalities in the background. Our fervent prayers are for this suggestions to be taken into consideration by the conventionists. It hurts the heart to read what some of us write in this forum. Infact we have been given an oppurtunity through this forum to look at the life of our beloved fatherland. some have taken this oppurtunity to sow seeds of discord amongst themselves. What a shame. We should be honest with ourselves and know when to chip in a comment. You are not oblidged to comment on an article if you are not inspired. is it not true that even a good student is never inspired on all questions during an examenation? I put in a good word for the SDF as a one and indivisible party. I stand for change and thats what the convention is all about. I buy the suggestions of the Langai Thedon contributions. I also buy some of the suggestions of the Yoyo and Co. ammendment proposals. There are two key items that I strongly Reject; The one is the making of the chairman a supper being and the other is the turning of his private residence in to a party structure. I dont believe SDF lacks funds to raise a stucture to house its delibrations especially in Bamenda its headquarters. I also strongly hold that Yaounde too is supposed to have real structures for party delibrations. The will of the people will always prevail. I believe battles are fought inside rather than from outside the house. To end all, Art. 8.2 should be rethought for in my oppinion this article is no longer a rallying force in the party or otherwise its use should be redefined. The 'Osih' commision should not end its work after the convention, but continue to try and reconcile the party. We are one and I believe oness will prevail. Lets hold our breath and await the outcome of the convention. I personally pray for good health to all the convention participants.
The Fight continues....
Fonye

[M.Muki]

Dear Vally of England,
To me you seem an educated person with a critical mind and a well-balanced sense of judgement.However,there is a point that you seem to have missed completely.Your greatest problem with Fru Ndi seem to stem from the fact that he accepts money from the Government.If actually you live in England then you should know what obtains in a true democracy.
The main opposition party as an alternative to the government is suppose to get money from the government.Infact its leader is suppose to be ON AN ALLOWANCE EQUIVALENT TO THE PRIME MINISTER'S SALARY!.This is a fact and you can find out if you care.The Cameroon government knows this very well.That is why it pretends to give small subventions to opposition parties during elections.This is not suppose to be so.The subventions are suppose to be regular.The government is suppose to finance opposition parties.The CPDM is the party running the government,but the CPDM is not the government.The money given to the SDF is government money and not CPDM money.One unfortunate thing is that in Cameroon people don't know the difference between the CPDM and the Government.
Fru Ndi is not taking money from the CPDM but from the Government.It is not bribe.It is not a hidden matter.It is his Constitutional right and I feel that's something Cameroonians need to learn and accept.

[Vally]

Enow,Klemenceau,

I have nothing to say about the bamenda convention,but the news reaching me in yaounde shall be discussed later.On my way to 'palaise de congres'.

Klemenceau i will be writing a response to some of your concerns after today,when you tell lies and cheat people there is always pay back time,the yaounde convention will bring the best of alternatives for the sdf if not dictator fru ndi and his gangs will destroy the party.

Vally
England.

[Vally]

M Muki,

Please we are not refusing our beloved child the sdf from receiving monies from the gov't,oh no.The party with the donations from members and the subvention from the gov't survives.

If you belong to my group that lost valuable friends in the early 90's to biya's Military because of the sdf you will accept that Fru ndi has changed seroiusly.

We followed him to rallies round the country and risk our life for the changed we all want,but brother the chairman has changed,the bad of it is, he is not seeing what we are saying and has gang himself with feymen and are abitrary using 8.2.to continue with illegality.

If we do not stand up now then beleive me, it will be too late,you need to hear what is coming from bamenda,they are behaving like the cpdm,so how can they get the changed we are all clamouring for when they are being led by cpdm in the background?

These are my short term problems with fru ndi,he has to be halted before we run out of esteem.

Talk to you after the convention.

Vally
England.

[Echidime]

Pascal Zamboe, Muna and co.,
If proff. Ngwsiri dies, you guys will be held responsible for pushing a patient to dare 'Tyson'.
I am already trying to get in touch with the family of the proff who is 'lying in state' in the Yaounde reference hospital.
These fellows will not go unpunished.
I have just heard that at least one person has been shot dead this morning in Yaounde caused by Muna and Zamboe in an attempt to seize the secretariat sealed by gendarmes to abort their evil agenda against the Cameroonian people.
See what France through Muna's agency is doing to our country.
Agents! Agents! of the devil France.

Posted by: Echidime | May 26, 2006 at 05:23 AM

[Tayong(Copenhagen)]

Horrible news if this is true. Killings already? Wonderful. what is this rubbish ??

[Akoson]

Dear readers,

My regards to all those who contributed to the memo sent to the Bamenda convention. It should teach the forum that we don't have a "god" we adore as others claim. We stand for the truth. We stand for the better SDF.

One person shot dead? Look at the confusion Ngwasiri and his people are causing our party. What's the meaning of all this?

The fight is on and those who had and have bad intensions will NOT know rest. God's in control.

Son Of Ako.

.

[JTS]

Fon Lawrence,

That was a great contribution from you and your friends. At least for once you have acknowledged the following:

1. That the SDF in its present form is at best seen to be very tribalistic
2. That Fru Ndi is both the prosecutor and the judge when one considers the overlapping roles of NAC and NEC
3. That article 8.2 has been misused in the past to get rid of progressives within the SDF
4. That Fru Ndi should stop his ambition to have sweeping powers as proposed in the new SDF constitutional amendments since he is likely to misuse such powers. I am sure you had as reference the appointments of memebers of the SDF bureau in the National Assembly. For the sake of peace you did not want to cite that as an example. However we understand your concern
5. That since SDF cannot pretend to be a national party, it should limit its influence only in four provinces. I guess you thought that the Ngwasiri faction is in control of the other six provinces. You are probably right
My only concern is that you did not give concrete proposals on how you think these progressive voices within the SDF should be silenced forever. You preferred to copy the example of your cousins in CPDM: creation of committees whose results are never released.

Thank you wise men. I hope the chairman will listen to your excellent proposals

[Fon Lawrence]

Akoson,
Concerning the one shot death,this is the news I received.

"Serious fighting in Yaounde last night between the two factions of the SDF. One dead and several wounded. Others never to see again. The situation as of now is still unclear. More later. No one knows whether the congress in Bamenda will hold today. Terrible thing.
Dr. Njilah Isaac Konfor
(In Yaounde)"

I am waiting on Atangha and others in Y´de to throw more light.

[Akoson]

Fon Lawrence,

Thank you so much for the info. What am I hearing? No one knows whether the convention in Bamenda will hold today? The war is in Yaounde and not in Bamenda for Christ's sake. Terrible thing indeed!

Oh my God...I'm just getting mad. I'm dumpfounded!

Let's pray hard. BenF, do you see what your Yaounde man is causing innocent Cameroonians? Join me let's pray please.

Son Of Ako.

.

[Atangha]

Dear Brothers & Sisters,
One is dead & 4 are seriously wounded! The wounded are undergoing treatment at the Yaounde Central Hospital. I'll get a clearer picture before the day runs out.

Meanwhile everything is going on in B'da as plan. I know this sad news will dampen their enthusiasm. I am so disturb & can't write well!

I'll be back.

[Dr. A. A. Agbormbai]

Advocates of the Bamenda SDF should be in Bamenda. What are they doing fighting the Yaounde SDF in Yaounde? Who is the trouble maker here?

Are they concerned that all will abandon them and go instead to Yaounde?