Biya Will Be Too Old In 2011 - Fru Ndi

By Joe Dinga Pefok

The National Chairman of the SDF, John Fru Ndi, has stated that one of the reasons why President Paul Biya must not be allowed to run for the 2011 presidential elections is that he will be too old at 79 to seek another mandate.

Fru Ndi was speaking at a press conference, which he granted at Lewat Hotel in Bessengue Quarter, Douala, coincidentally on February 13, Biya's 75th birthday.The major focus at the press conference was the ongoing manoeuvre by the CPDM to amend Article 6 (2) of the 1996 Constitution so as to enable Biya to again contest at the 2011 presidential elections.

Fru Ndi noted that CPDM elite who are encouraging Biya to stay on are doing so because they are afraid of their several misdeeds, especially embezzlement of public funds.Fru Ndi said these people desperately want Biya to stay on so that he will continue to protect them from facing justice. He insisted that the SDF is vehemently opposed to any Constitutional amendment that tends to entrench an individual in power.

Looking at the recent CPDM meeting in Yaounde to drum support for the Constitutional amendment, Fru Ndi said the CPDM Secretary General, Rene Sadi, is also desperately trying to throw the bait around, claiming that it is the whole Constitution, which would be considered for amendment.

Why Mandate Limitation Is Imperative

On why the constitutional limitation on presidential mandate is imperative, Fru Ndi said: "It sets limitations on power, checks its arbitrary, oppressive and despotic tendencies, especially in emerging democracies where issues of good governance are not well entrenched."

"When leaders step down at the end of their mandates, they neither do so because of pressure nor because they have completed the work they started, nor because they have found suitable successors," said Fru Ndi.

But he regretted that for over 25 years in power, Biya has toyed with and twisted the Constitution at leisure like a worthless piece of paper. He asserted that when the 1996 Constitution was adopted, Article 6 (2) was considered a very important provision. 

"It was thought to constitute a solemn pact between the people of Cameroon and the Biya regime. Pursuant to that provision, Mr. Biya would serve a possible 14 years, and leave. But, alas!"

Limit To Patience

Fru Ndi asserted that the upheavals in countries like Kenya and Chad for example, bring into sharp focus the dangers inherent in irremovable governments or self-seeking and sit-tight presidents.

"Every time they trample upon the will of the people, every time they steal elections, the outcome is invariably the same; chaos, loss of human capital, and the destruction of the social and economic fabric of the country," said Fru Ndi.

In the case of Cameroon, Fru Ndi cautioned Biya not to take the patience of the peace-loving Cameroonian people for granted, even if his regime has over the years gone away with stolen victories at elections.

"There is a limit to everyone's patience and Cameroonians are no exception to this natural law," he said. Fru Ndi said it is a truism that the SDF naturally joins the United Nations and the international community to express moral outrage and condemnation of regime change through force.

He, however, quickly added that the party equally calls on these bodies to also discourage its members from undertaking actions outside the rule of law and respect of the Constitution to ensure mandate prolongation.

Fru Ndi said the SDF is calling on the entire active and progressive forces in the country to join forces with the party to puncture the devilish plot.

Constitution Conference

Meanwhile, the SDF leader declared that the party is not fundamentally opposed to amendments of the Constitution if they are really meant to meet the aspirations of the entire nation. Going by him a Constitutional amendment could only be done through a Constitutional Conference.

Fru Ndi noted that participants at the Constitutional Conference would include the civil society, professional groups like the Bar Council, the Union of Cameroonian Journalists, religious authorities, trade unions, political parties, the government, and so on. He said this would be a fair representation of the Cameroonian people of all walks of life.

Police Tear-gas SDF Militants

It is worth recalling that violence unfortunately erupted shortly after the end of the press conference. Dozens of anti-riot policemen and gendarmes used tear gas and water canons and disperse groups of SDF militants who had embarked on a public demonstration against the planned constitutional revision by the CPDM regime.

But it should, however, be noted that before the police confronted the SDF militants, the party's National Chairman, Ni John Fru Ndi, had already left the venue of the press conference with other party big wigs.

Comments

[Abdou]

We don't care if Biya was only 26 Years old. We have seen his worth for the last 25 yrs and we see nothing in him but one who helps those who support him to drain our state treasury leading to poverty, unemployment, corruption etc. Only those who mention Biya or Chantal Biya's name in the embezzlement deal like Ondong Ndong end up in prison.

[UnitedstatesofAfrica]

Mr. Fru Ndi, don't you think you would be too old in 2011 too? have you seen those chunks of white beard dissipated all over your face? have you seen your wrinkled skin and the ripples of your face?

Fru Nid, you are equally old, ancient, outdated and irrelevant. Step down and let a more energetic revolutionary leader change the course of the rhetoric SDF. Thank you!

[Paa Ngembus]

Will you Froggies take this La Republique politics out of our Southern Cameroons Forum.

You crappy little jerks should stop distracting Southern Cameroonians from what matters most to them now: THE LIBERATION OF THEIR COUNTRY THE SOUTHERN CAMEROONS.

Get out of our house. Bastards.

Paa Ngembus
THE SOUTHERN CAMEROONS SHALL BE DECOLONIZED BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY

[kenedy Epie]

There is time in the life of a human being when he or she is active to serve society and time to quit service and retire. Leadership is not excluded as a service. It is proven that from 65 years of age the systems of the human body starts to degenerate. This affects activity and output of the individual. The leadership class of Cameroon is no doubt old and their performance has gone record low. The Cameroon of today is a reflection of the kind of leadership we have. Mr. Biya ought to have retired some 10 years ago to give way to a vibrant political class but shamefully he as many African rulers want to hang on till death do part them away. No problem it will. Considering the present average life span, after 65 years the natural call is just around the corner. I am not a prophet but just a concerned Cameroonian.
Kenedy Epie
Helsinki, Finland

[vextoj]

Paa Ngembus
u are a stupid boy.
if u read almost all the headlines, u will discover that the main issues are about cameroon especially about biya and constitutional ammendment.
As for ur scnc all cameroonians from north, south , east and west, will continue to crush their ideologies.
As bad as biya is, the most important thing he has ever done since his 27years in power, is to destroy this movement of mad men(scnc).
AM SORRY FOR U BECAUSE U MAY HAVE LOST UR WAY. THIS WEBSITE IS www.postnewsline.com and it is for us cameroonians and those who have the interest of this country.
if u want an scnc forum , visit www.scncforsoutherncameroons.net/ U may have the chance to discuss ur foolishness with ur scnc friend and alway remember that after ur meetings cameroonians will search for u all to either punish or help u people to regain ur senses.

[Mburlih]

Its about time Cameroonians should understand that the constitutional amendment is not for 2011.It is for today! Why would any one think that Biya is so frantic about it today only to wait till 2011 for the change to take effect.
This has been the game plan for some time now and we are at the last lap of the race.
1) Get a "comfortable' majority in parliament at all cost....Done.
2)Delay the application of ELECAM till the new presidential mandate that will be the outcome of the amendment is effected......In process given that ELECAM will only be applicable after 18 months from date of promulgation.That is the written law but the silent one is that it will only be after Biya is installed as the new president with an unlimited mandate. After that its application is inconsequential.

3)Influence CAN 2008 programming so that the lions come home with the trophy on youth day.That way the rejoicing that follows will drown all moves to achieve the ultimate end of prolongation of stay at Unity Palace. This should be easy with a son of he soil at the helm of things in CAF.....Done but unfortunately Song's mistake ruined it all as the lions' claws were trimmed at the last huddle.
4)Assemble the CPDM in Yaounde at the same time so as to add some flavor.While they are here oil their machines for an educative campaign for the cause of constitutional change.Remind them that with him at Unity Palace, they are assured of coming back to parliament in 2012 but if they let him out come 2011 they are finished.Fool them that he will ask only for a 5 years mandate, meanwhile hiding the unlimited terms part of it in small print. This would be interpreted to mean that he is adding only 2 years to 2011. Yes becausee the revised constitution will take immediate effect so the first term starting this year will end in 2015.....In process.The campaigns are going on now all over the country and parliament may soon be called in extraordinary session.
5)Spice the bill with some palatable coating like changing the procedure for transition in case of vacancy at the presidency, etc etc.After all it will not concern him because he will not be there since only his death will create a vacancy. ....In process.
6) When bill gets to parliament,he will invoke party discipline but instruct some CPDM MPs to vote NO so as to make it look democratic. After all they are largely more than enough to effect this without endangering the outcome.That really was the justification for the do or die July elections.....In process.
7)The King can then relax and receive motions of support. The sheepish silent majority will throw up their hands and cry "Ce type la est fort. On va fair comment. La vie continue"!

[Mburlih]

It is about time that Cameroonians understand that the constitutional amendment is not for 2011.It is for today! Why would any one think that Biya is so frantic about it today only to wait till 2011 for the change to take effect.
This has been the game plan for some time now and we are at the last lap of the race.
1) Get a "comfortable' majority in parliament at all costs....Done.
2)Delay the application of ELECAM till the new presidential mandate that will be the outcome of the amendment is done.......In process as ELECAM will only be applicable after 18 months from date of promulgation.That is the written law but the silent one is that it will only be after Biya is installed as the new president with an unlimited mandate. After that its application is inconsequential.
3)Influence CAN 2008 programming so that the lions come home with the trophy on youth day.That way the rejoicing that follows will drown all moves to achieve the ultimate end of prolongation of stay at Unity Palace. This was easy with a son of the soil at the helm of CAF......Done but unfortunately Song's mistake ruined it all and the lions' claws were trimmed at the last huddle.
4)Assemble the CPDM in Yaounde at the same time so as to add some flavor.While they are here oil their machines for an educative campaign for the cause of constitutional change.Remind them that with me at Unity Palace, they are assured of coming back to parliament in 2012 but if they let me out come 2011 they are finished.

I will ask only for a 5 years mandate with unlimited terms to be effective immediately. This means that I am adding only 2 years to 2011 since the first term starting this year will end in 2015...In process.The campaigns are going on now all over the country.
4)Spice the bill with some palatable coating like changing the procedure for transition in case of vacancy at the presidency, etc etc.After all it will not concern me because I will not be there since only my death will create a vacancy.....In process.
5)Send bill to parliament in March 2008. Instruct some CPDM MPs to vote NO so as to make it look democratic. After all they are largely more than enough to effect this without endangering the outcome.That really was the justification for the do or die July elections....In process.
6) Sit down,relax and receive motions of support. The sheepish silent majority will throw up their hands and cry "Ce type la est fort. On va fair comment. La vie continue"!

[Abdou]

Very nice suggestion
Cher(e) Camerounais,
Que pensez vous a cette proposition?
Dear Cameroonians, What about this proposition?

SOLIDARITE CONTRE LA MODIFICATION DE ARTICLE 6(2) DE LA CONSTITUTION DE 1996 DU CAMEROUN
Vu que plus de 98% de Camerounais sont contre la modification de article 6(2) de la constitution de 1996 du Cameroun,
Lundi 03 Mars 2008 est déclarer une journée « Deuil National » contre tous les manœuvres pour modifier article 6(2) de la constitution.
A ce jour, nous habillions en NOIR en faisant nos activités respectives
CHANTONS LA MEME CHANSON
Résistons à tous les actes provocateurs. Notre procédure pour le moment reste pacifique

SOLIDARITY AGAINST THE AMENDMENT OF ATICLE 6 (2) OF THE 1996 CONSTITUTION OF CAMEROON
Mindful of the fact that more than 98 % of Cameroonians are against the amendment of this article 6(2) of the 1996 constitution of Cameroon,
Monday March 3rd 2008 has been declared a “National day of Mourning” against any move to amend article 6(2) of this constitution.
On this date, we will dress in BLACK and about our normal activities
LET’S JOIN THE CHORUS
Let’s resist all acts of provocation. Our procedure for now remain solemn

[FRITZANE KIKI]

The venerated SDF political adage was 'Biya must go','Power to the People' now it is 'No to constitutional amendments'.If NJFN talks of Biya's age then he should also think of himself.They are birds of thesame feathers vying for power and almost of thesame age groups.The SDF and other opposition party leaders has become so increasingly unpopular because of their failure to give proper checks and balances to the Biya's regime's manoeuvres,fraud and deceit.They have much more work to do since the political pendulum is swinging towards them for any major changes to take place in Cameroon.

Those who pinned their hopes to a 'No' to constitutional amendments are just throwing water on a ducks back since Biya's machinery has been put in place brazing for the masacre.Security might be endangered but it doesn't sound to the CPDM and its die-hard supporters who remain spell-bound to support him till death.

This far,there is a full scope of a dangerous threat from these band-wagon of selfish individuals who are covertly working to destroy any form of opposition to this goal.Tension is mounting on Biya as critics and inner voices forsee a prevailing blood shed,as there is insecurity,uncertainty and dislocations looming the political climate in Cameroon.

Fritzane Kiki
S.K