By Orock Eta
Inhabitants of five of Cameroon’s ten provinces are once more up and doing. These much cherished peace and tranquillity could be discerned in the faces and reactions of the people resident in the provinces of Centre, Littoral, West, Southwest and Northwest. Social disorder crept into the aforementioned provinces when on Monday, February 25, Cameroonians in these provinces got up in the morning to embark on their daily activities, only to find the streets void of taxis.
Though a strike action by the Syndicate of Transporters had been looming, complaining about the persistent increase of the prices of petroleum products in Cameroon, reports on the state media, CRTV, on Sunday, February 24 talked of the strike actions called off by the leaders of the Syndicate of Transporters after clinching a deal with the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Prof. Robert Nkili.
The government of Cameroon and the population, especially those in the provinces earlier mentioned, were taken aback with the absence of the yellow cabs (taxis) in the streets and the inter-urban and intra-urban buses not plying the roads leading from one city to the other or from one part of the metropolis to the other.
The ensuing four days in Cameroon, February 25-28 were bizarre. The action of the Syndicate of Transporters to down their tools, quickly degenerated to other serious malaises that have been hunting the Cameroonian people and the economy of the country.
Disgruntled and mostly unemployed youths seized the opportunity and took to the streets to express their disgust to the powers that be for not creating enough avenues for employment and economic opportunities. The out come were devastating. An initial sit down strike, quickly turned violent with the rampaging and sometime marauding youths running battles with the police, gendarmes and the military officers.
It wouldn’t end there, looting of public institutions and private property took centre stage, there were massive destruction of state-owned and private property, precious lives were also lost in the course of the confrontation between the men and women in uniform and the protesters. Reports talk of some twenty people shot dead.
The situation was not improving faster as expected. Cameroon was progressively plunging herself into the abyss of endless destruction. Calls for peace and calm began to surface from all nooks and crannies from the country. But the angry youths and Cameroonians in general felt that the most soothing words must come from Head of State, President Paul Biya.
Wednesday, February 27, Biya came on a 4-minute and 56 seconds televised and radio declaration, calling on the youths not to be manipulated by political and devilish forces. To the seemingly dismay of many Cameroonians and some observers, they found the tone of Biya rather too hard and “dodgy” from the issues rocking the nation.
However, Biya stated that disputes are not settled in the streets but on the dialogue table, calling on Cameroonians to respect the rule of law. He also quickly took control of his leadership role by putting it firmly that the government of Cameroon will employ all legal instruments to achieve peace at all cost.
Since he made the declaration, calm has returned to the country, especially in the affected provinces but some lessons have to be taken home for further reflections.However, rumor has it that people where giving some time to buy enough food for the strike action will continue on Monday, March 3, 2008.
The worst ist still to come. If this regime succeeds this recent exhibition of total dissatisfaction by its own citizens, then they will go ahead to realise most of their plans if not all. Remmeber that Biya did not know that he shall survive operation ghost town in the 1990's, but when Cameroonians persevered and contained his malpractces - election manipulation, state of emmergency, rampant arrests and killings by the men in uniform, the same regime went on to crumple the economy. Banks hand to wind up, there were salary cuts despite devaluation, the regime became more totalitarian, government delegates were imposed onto many municipalities, the youths became more and more disillusioned. Today, Cameroonians live in a country with no reliable medical system, abject poverty, extreme tribal and regional discrimination, hopelessness, etc.
I had predicted somewhere that these uncoordinated demonstrations/strikes will yield only very little fruits and this will certainly be the case if Cameroonians have no plan of actions after these nation-wide demonstrations. Many people run to the strees with plackards, expecting the adamant government of Mr. Biya to read them. Even if they read them, they wouldn't respond to those demands because they are against their desires and their is no reliable negotiation partner on the side of the demonstrators. It was a nice thing that the politicians stayed out of this because the CPDM government was going to instrumentalise their presence and accuse them of distorting state peace. Fru Ndi and other opposition leaders stayed back, but Biya, in his speech, still pointed accusing fingers at them. I expected this already from that good-for-nothing government.
The most disgraceful thing I find in our country is that our intelligensia have sold their birth right very cheap and they simply run behind the regime in power. They have become yes- men and women in order to fill their stomachs. Be reminded that many of them signed a motion of support to the incombent president before the 2004 presidential elections. It was however still surprising that none of our so-called educated people could emanate from such demonstrations to articulate the people's wishes to the understanding of Mr. Biya's government, let alone coordinating the demonstrations and planning them such that the government crumples if not surrender the power to the people. After 4 days, we have gone to rest.
When I read President Biya's speech, I had the impression that he either does not know his people's desire - absentee landlord, or he intentionally correlated the demonstrations with the opposition politicians in this country. In any case, I am very sure that Mr. Biya is very misinformed about the problems of his people. The few people who inform him about the state of the nation are those ministers campagning for the constitution to be changed, giving Biya feedback that Cameroonians really like the idea. It is obvious for such ministers to pass on such information to the president because a change of head of state means the end of such unprofessional politicians. The only way to send the correct information to Biya is through such demonstrations and the degree of panic and inconsistency in Biya's speech is pure exhibit that he was afraid. He did not know that the people have been piling dissatisfaction for long, even about his constitutional reform.
From history and from all indications, demonstration and strike is the language that this regime understands. All this call for dialogue is camouflage. The strikes need to intensify and be prolonged without destruction of property as this gives the citizens a better starting point for any dialogue or negotiations with the leadership. The men in uniform should keep in mind that their relatives (children etc) are amongst the demonstrators and they are fighting for their future. If you kill them, you are killing your own future. If we stop the demonstrations now, then those citizens who died have been sacrificed for nothing. You shall have to get worse conditions in Cameroon an your children shall be the ones to suffer.
Dr. Mofor
Posted by: Cheboy | Sunday, 02 March 2008 at 02:39 PM
The worst ist still to come. If this regime survives this recent exhibition of total dissatisfaction by its own citizens, then they will go ahead to realise most of their plans if not all. Remmeber that Biya did not know that he shall survive operation ghost town in the 1990's, but when Cameroonians persevered and contained his malpractces - election manipulation, state of emmergency, rampant arrests and killings by the men in uniform, the same regime went on to crumple the economy. Banks hand to wind up, there were salary cuts despite devaluation, the regime became more totalitarian, government delegates were imposed onto many municipalities, the youths became more and more disillusioned. Today, Cameroonians live in a country with no reliable medical system, abject poverty, extreme tribal and regional discrimination, hopelessness, etc.
I had predicted somewhere that these uncoordinated demonstrations/strikes will yield only very little fruits and this will certainly be the case if Cameroonians have no plan of actions after these nation-wide demonstrations. Many people run to the strees with plackards, expecting the adamant government of Mr. Biya to read them. Even if they read them, they wouldn't respond to those demands because they are against their desires and their is no reliable negotiation partner on the side of the demonstrators. It was a nice thing that the politicians stayed out of this because the CPDM government was going to instrumentalise their presence and accuse them of distorting state peace. Fru Ndi and other opposition leaders stayed back, but Biya, in his speech, still pointed accusing fingers at them. I expected this already from that good-for-nothing government.
The most disgraceful thing I find in our country is that our intelligensia have sold their birth right very cheap and they simply run behind the regime in power. They have become yes- men and women in order to fill their stomachs. Be reminded that many of them signed a motion of support to the incombent president before the 2004 presidential elections. It was however still surprising that none of our so-called educated people could emanate from such demonstrations to articulate the people's wishes to the understanding of Mr. Biya's government, let alone coordinating the demonstrations and planning them such that the government crumples if not surrender the power to the people. After 4 days, we have gone to rest.
When I read President Biya's speech, I had the impression that he either does not know his people's desire - absentee landlord, or he intentionally correlated the demonstrations with the opposition politicians in this country. In any case, I am very sure that Mr. Biya is very misinformed about the problems of his people. The few people who inform him about the state of the nation are those ministers campagning for the constitution to be changed, giving Biya feedback that Cameroonians really like the idea. It is obvious for such ministers to pass on such information to the president because a change of head of state means the end of such unprofessional politicians. The only way to send the correct information to Biya is through such demonstrations and the degree of panic and inconsistency in Biya's speech is pure exhibit that he was afraid. He did not know that the people have been piling dissatisfaction for long, even about his constitutional reform.
From history and from all indications, demonstration and strike is the language that this regime understands. All this call for dialogue is camouflage. The strikes need to intensify and be prolonged without destruction of property as this gives the citizens a better starting point for any dialogue or negotiations with the leadership. The men in uniform should keep in mind that their relatives (children etc) are amongst the demonstrators and they are fighting for their future. If you kill them, you are killing your own future. If we stop the demonstrations now, then those citizens who died have been sacrificed for nothing. You shall have to get worse conditions in Cameroon an your children shall be the ones to suffer.
Dr. Mofor
Posted by: Cheboy | Sunday, 02 March 2008 at 02:41 PM
This is no peace but a pause in unrest. The causes of the unrest remain intact.
The country would not have peace until Paul Biya (aka the new Mobutu) in power now for 25+ years is overthrown. This master of phoney elections, demagoguery and fine-living assumes he was sent by God. The end is near for the hypocrite. Like Mobutu, Biya will go down.
Cameroonians shall be free (from the caprices and whims of a demagogue and lack-lustre performer seeking a life presidency).
Posted by: Kumbaboy | Sunday, 02 March 2008 at 02:54 PM
w
Posted by: Delors | Sunday, 02 March 2008 at 04:31 PM
Good article Dr. Mofor but there is one thing I like to ask cameroonians. For how long will biy be able to cameroonians and their problems if everyday we say his advisers are not telling him the real story. Should he depend only on his advisers to know his country?. This man for 25 years he has known little or nothing about the ten provinces of Cameroon. Is this not a shame. Where are the Ngolle Ngolles who have sold all the anglophones and drank their blood for ministerial posts. Biya for 25 years makes sure he recruits anglophones who can kill each other who can help widen the divide if at all there is any and those who can betray their own people like those fools from the northwestern part of Cameroon (achidi, abety, ndeh, nji fedelis, nsalai the central African ambassador to cameroon ha ha ha.............. Coming back to the speech, Mr. Orock this provocative speech could not have calm cameroonians,on the contrary we recorded more deads after the speech. His stupid speech did not address the real issues but instead he talked of political leaders trying to depose him and insulting the youths as delinquents. He called cameroonians les apprentis sorciers but his acts tell us that is he who is that sorcier. If we all can remember how he faked his own death, faked coup d'etats etc. Elections had nothing to do with the up rising and how could it happen in Yaounde, Buea when he claims to have won by 1000%.
I want Cameroonians to start investigating this especially the anglophones. One francophone ministers had contacted some top anglophones to reinforce and sponsor the disorder especially in their own provinces but there were afraid. I have been told some santa elites were contacted so that they turn and put it on Fru as the almighty biya minister of communication had already done even biya himself. Biya and his minsiters who have more than ten cars each and have stolen cameroon money for years should know that this about cost of living, health care , poverty, corruption, tribalism planted by biya regime and hardship.
Posted by: Delors | Sunday, 02 March 2008 at 05:05 PM
Following the critical situation and the very recent developments in your country from Switzerland, I can only admire and ecourage those of you cameroonians, who stand for their rights, for democracy and for a fast (and peaceful) change of power. I suggest Paul Biya to call Fidel Castro, if he does not know the word resignation. All the best to your beautiful country and your wonderful people.
Posted by: Werner | Sunday, 02 March 2008 at 05:41 PM
There is something about this article which is not so obvious but is very real. The pro-government tone of the reported (Orock Eta). His initial articles on the crisis painted an exact picture of the reality on the ground. Just a few days later, he has adopted a new tone and has carefully blurred the reality to match the governments version of events.
Mr Orock Eta, were you bought, intimidated or are you honestly doing your job? Its not surprising that the minister of communication held a "meeting" with journalists during the crisis.
Posted by: Muki StoneHall | Sunday, 02 March 2008 at 05:54 PM
Mr. Muki, I was just about to say the same thing. The tone of this article makes me question which side the POST is on? The tone is pro-Biya, and it lacks objectivity. It seems as if the palms of Mr. Eta and his editors have to greased. I am surprised that Peterkins didn't author this crap in the name of journalism.
Posted by: UnitedstatesofAfrica | Sunday, 02 March 2008 at 11:59 PM
Hey Guys,
Etta is afraid to loss his life. His last statement however gives the real picture on the field. Etta, donot fear he that can only destroy the body and not the soul but fear he that can destroy both body and soul.
Thanks
Posted by: Ahadji | Monday, 03 March 2008 at 02:28 AM
Mr. Biya has to be eliminated. He has no place in Cameroon. Nobody can claim he is not informed. Who has to inform him of what is happening.
Posted by: Ottou | Monday, 03 March 2008 at 03:49 AM
Dear All,
To begin with, I want to express my gratitude to all those who have been making relentless efforts in ensuring that Cameroon becomes a better place than we met. I know it's been long since I posted here - it doesn't mean that I have not been reading all the postings. I see everybody is focused on one thing: the Biya regime is the worst calamity that has befallen on our people since the Portuguese came to the Cameroons. Is Biya an anathema to Cameroon or Cameroonians themselves? Or is it the ALMIGHTY punishing us for being unnecessarily too peaceful?
That said, I want to congratulate the good people of Cameroon for telling the Biya regime that we are no longer docile; Yaounde like all parts of Cameroon are the same - hardship has taken over everything because of more than 25 years of biyamocracy. Mr. Biya now knows that Cameroonians can no longer be fooled via football victories/defeats - we will be happy after a football match & the next days will be like the others - the days before the football match. In fact, I see Cameroonians displaying "patriotism" via our flag only during football matches. Now that victories are dificult to come by, so too, our "patriotic" spirit is disappearing?
Yaounde that's supposed to breathing is now bleeding! Biya no longer trust his "natural fief." For those who don't know, the neighbourhoods that enforced the strike action were Mvog Mbi, Ekounou, Mimboman, etc., not Biyem-Assi or Obili. You know why I'm siting these two?
Moreover, we are told that Mr. Biya's outburst during his televised broadcast on the "peace-loving" people of Cameroon was because his son's business outfit in D'la was destroyed. He too felt the pinch of the strike. Has he learnt any lesson?
Someone said on TV in D'la that he knows the youths who claimed that they were paid to destroy, loot, etc. If we are in a state of law, the guy should have been picked up to help track down these so-called youths for investigations. But as you know, it'll end up like that others in the past.
I remember seeing Achidi Achu (then, as PM, (on CRTV) wining & dining with some 'youths' who claimed that they were the authors of burning that took place in B'da immediately after the stolen victory of 1992. I hope these two personalities will one day assist Cameroonians in knowing the truth.
Some of these claims are acted to blame the failure of the regime on the SDF. The same SDF which they said is finished as per the last elections. Today, they're playing the blame game on the SDF. If we truly had a president that, at least, cares about her people, he should have addressed the issues raised. On the contrary, we witnessed a lion portraying himself as the undisputable king of the forest.
Conventional wisdom holds that a president being the 1st citizen of a country has the last word in calming down tempers in times of a major crisis. Unfortunately, ours showed his true self - a bully who's either wicked or insensitive to the yearning of his people. For sure we don't know him, or what he's doing as "Chef de l'Etat." Whatever we asked, he gives us the opposite for the simple reason that he wants to remain in power at all cost. Examples are bound: ONEL, Tripatite, Elecam, etc. The only solutions is to end his reign as "Chief of State."
Our people are suffering today because of the selfish attitude of former dictator Ahidjo who single-handedly handed power to someone he "trusted." Unfortunately, he (Ahidjo) got stewed in his own juice.
Dear brothers & sisters,
Our destiny is in our hands. Exterminating the Biya's reign should be our utmost preoccupation. All postings so far have shown that our problem is Biya & his CPDM followers. As a majority party, CPDM leaders from the nooks & cranies of this country couln't use their "comfortable majority" to end the strike. This is a clear sign that they're an illegitimate lot that imposed themselves on us thru electoral banditry. Futhermore, this has taught Mr. Biya a good lesson not to attempt to bring about any form of modification on Article 6.2. In addition, Cameroonians from all the 4 corners of this country should tell the CPDM MPs that any attempt to side with Biya in making him president-for-life will be considered as treason on the people of this country. Of course, we (they too) know the consequence of a treasonable offence.
Last but not the list, I'll like any of us hear to translate "apprentice sorcier" in English. I don't agree with the word "demon" as officially translated.
In sum, I'm happy that Cameroonians for once have demystefied fear. Has fear been banished to Siberia? Let no one takes us for a ride. If Biya wants true peace & his personal security, he should NOT dare touch the consitution. On the other hand, he should seek genuine dialogue with the people of Cameroon before quitting power. I hear they say a word to a wise is for the enough?
As for this article being pro-government, I want to inform forumites that the regime is out to eliminate journalists and further shotdown news organs and media houses that are just doing their job as it's supposed to be done. Prove of this is suspension of Magic FM, Equinoxe radio & TV (for now?). I was invited for a talk show on radio. Before the programme began, I was told to tuned down my tone, if not, they too will face the music. So, bear with The Post & her reporter. If we have a geuine Union of Journalist, they would have protested against these injustices by suspending broadcasting until the ban is uplifted. I guess we all know the fate of genuine associations in our country - they're polarised so as to be weakened.
Cheers & let's strategising to oust Mr. Biya on or before Oct. 2011
Atangha
Posted by: Atangha | Monday, 03 March 2008 at 11:03 AM
Dear All,
To begin with, I want to express my gratitude to all those who have been making relentless efforts in ensuring that Cameroon becomes a better place than we met. I know it's been long since I posted here - it doesn't mean that I have not been reading all the postings. I see everybody is focused on one thing: the Biya regime is the worst calamity that has befallen on our people since the Portuguese came to the Cameroons. Is Biya an anathema to Cameroon or Cameroonians themselves? Or is it the ALMIGHTY punishing us for being unnecessarily too peaceful?
That said, I want to congratulate the good people of Cameroon for telling the Biya regime that we are no longer docile; Yaounde like all parts of Cameroon are the same - hardship has taken over everything because of more than 25 years of biyamocracy. Mr. Biya now knows that Cameroonians can no longer be fooled via football victories/defeats - we will be happy after a football match & the next days will be like the others - the days before the football match. In fact, I see Cameroonians displaying "patriotism" via our flag only during football matches. Now that victories are dificult to come by, so too, our "patriotic" spirit is disappearing?
Yaounde that's supposed to breathing is now bleeding! Biya no longer trust his "natural fief." For those who don't know, the neighbourhoods that enforced the strike action were Mvog Mbi, Ekounou, Mimboman, etc., not Biyem-Assi or Obili. You know why I'm siting these two?
Moreover, we are told that Mr. Biya's outburst during his televised broadcast on the "peace-loving" people of Cameroon was because his son's business outfit in D'la was destroyed. He too felt the pinch of the strike. Has he learnt any lesson?
Someone said on TV in D'la that he knows the youths who claimed that they were paid to destroy, loot, etc. If we are in a state of law, the guy should have been picked up to help track down these so-called youths for investigations. But as you know, it'll end up like that others in the past.
I remember seeing Achidi Achu (then, as PM, (on CRTV) wining & dining with some 'youths' who claimed that they were the authors of burning that took place in B'da immediately after the stolen victory of 1992. I hope these two personalities will one day assist Cameroonians in knowing the truth.
Some of these claims are acted to blame the failure of the regime on the SDF. The same SDF which they said is finished as per the last elections. Today, they're playing the blame game on the SDF. If we truly had a president that, at least, cares about her people, he should have addressed the issues raised. On the contrary, we witnessed a lion portraying himself as the undisputable king of the forest.
Conventional wisdom holds that a president being the 1st citizen of a country has the last word in calming down tempers in times of a major crisis. Unfortunately, ours showed his true self - a bully who's either wicked or insensitive to the yearning of his people. For sure we don't know him, or what he's doing as "Chef de l'Etat." Whatever we asked, he gives us the opposite for the simple reason that he wants to remain in power at all cost. Examples are bound: ONEL, Tripatite, Elecam, etc. The only solutions is to end his reign as "Chief of State."
Our people are suffering today because of the selfish attitude of former dictator Ahidjo who single-handedly handed power to someone he "trusted." Unfortunately, he (Ahidjo) got stewed in his own juice.
Dear brothers & sisters,
Our destiny is in our hands. Exterminating the Biya's reign should be our utmost preoccupation. All postings so far have shown that our problem is Biya & his CPDM followers. As a majority party, CPDM leaders from the nooks & cranies of this country couln't use their "comfortable majority" to end the strike. This is a clear sign that they're an illegitimate lot that imposed themselves on us thru electoral banditry. Futhermore, this has taught Mr. Biya a good lesson not to attempt to bring about any form of modification on Article 6.2. In addition, Cameroonians from all the 4 corners of this country should tell the CPDM MPs that any attempt to side with Biya in making him president-for-life will be considered as treason on the people of this country. Of course, we (and they too) know the consequence of a treasonable offence.
Last but not the list, I'll like any of us hear to translate "apprentice sorcier" in English. I don't agree with the word "demon" as officially translated.
In sum, I'm happy that Cameroonians for once have demystefied fear. Has fear been banished to Siberia? Let no one takes us for a ride. If Biya wants true peace & his personal security, he should NOT dare touch the consitution. On the other hand, he should seek genuine dialogue with the people of Cameroon before quitting power. I hear they say a word to a wise is for the enough?
As for the Reporter or The Post being pro-government, private press has been warned to tuned down if not they will face the consequence already being faced by Equinoxe TV & Radio & Magic FM. They are just acting on the (government)spur of the moment. I was invited on a radio programme last week; before the commencement of the programme, I was told to tune down if not they too will be shudown.
Cheers & let's strategising to oust Mr. Biya on or before Oct. 2011
Atangha
Posted by: Atangha | Monday, 03 March 2008 at 11:11 AM
Dear All,
To begin with, I want to express my gratitude to all those who have been making relentless efforts in ensuring that Cameroon becomes a better place than we met. I know it's been long since I posted here - it doesn't mean that I have not been reading all the postings. I see everybody is focused on one thing: the Biya regime is the worst calamity that has befallen on our people since the Portuguese came to the Cameroons. Is Biya an anathema to Cameroon or Cameroonians themselves? Or is it the ALMIGHTY punishing us for being unnecessarily too peaceful?
That said, I want to congratulate the good people of Cameroon for telling the Biya regime that we are no longer docile; Yaounde like all parts of Cameroon are the same - hardship has taken over everything because of more than 25 years of biyamocracy. Mr. Biya now knows that Cameroonians can no longer be fooled via football victories/defeats - we will be happy after a football match & the next days will be like the others - the days before the football match. In fact, I see Cameroonians displaying "patriotism" via our flag only during football matches. Now that victories are dificult to come by, so too, our "patriotic" spirit is disappearing?
Yaounde that's supposed to breathing is now bleeding! Biya no longer trust his "natural fief." For those who don't know, the neighbourhoods that enforced the strike action were Mvog Mbi, Ekounou, Mimboman, etc., not Biyem-Assi or Obili. You know why I'm siting these two?
Moreover, we are told that Mr. Biya's outburst during his televised broadcast on the "peace-loving" people of Cameroon was because his son's business outfit in D'la was destroyed. He too felt the pinch of the strike. Has he learnt any lesson?
Someone said on TV in D'la that he knows the youths who claimed that they were paid to destroy, loot, etc. If we are in a state of law, the guy should have been picked up to help track down these so-called youths for investigations. But as you know, it'll end up like that others in the past.
I remember seeing Achidi Achu (then, as PM, (on CRTV) wining & dining with some 'youths' who claimed that they were the authors of burning that took place in B'da immediately after the stolen victory of 1992. I hope these two personalities will one day assist Cameroonians in knowing the truth.
Some of these claims are acted to blame the failure of the regime on the SDF. The same SDF which they said is finished as per the last elections. Today, they're playing the blame game on the SDF. If we truly had a president that, at least, cares about her people, he should have addressed the issues raised. On the contrary, we witnessed a lion portraying himself as the undisputable king of the forest.
Conventional wisdom holds that a president being the 1st citizen of a country has the last word in calming down tempers in times of a major crisis. Unfortunately, ours showed his true self - a bully who's either wicked or insensitive to the yearning of his people. For sure we don't know him, or what he's doing as "Chef de l'Etat." Whatever we asked, he gives us the opposite for the simple reason that he wants to remain in power at all cost. Examples are bound: ONEL, Tripatite, Elecam, etc. The only solutions is to end his reign as "Chief of State."
Our people are suffering today because of the selfish attitude of former dictator Ahidjo who single-handedly handed power to someone he "trusted." Unfortunately, he (Ahidjo) got stewed in his own juice.
Dear brothers & sisters,
Our destiny is in our hands. Exterminating the Biya's reign should be our utmost preoccupation. All postings so far have shown that our problem is Biya & his CPDM followers. As a majority party, CPDM leaders from the nooks & cranies of this country couln't use their "comfortable majority" to end the strike. This is a clear sign that they're an illegitimate lot that imposed themselves on us thru electoral banditry. Futhermore, this has taught Mr. Biya a good lesson not to attempt to bring about any form of modification on Article 6.2. In addition, Cameroonians from all the 4 corners of this country should tell the CPDM MPs that any attempt to side with Biya in making him president-for-life will be considered as treason on the people of this country. Of course, we (and they too) know the consequence of a treasonable offence.
Last but not the list, I'll like any of us hear to translate "apprentice sorcier" in English. I don't agree with the word "demon" as officially translated.
In sum, I'm happy that Cameroonians for once have demystefied fear. Has fear been banished to Siberia? Let no one takes us for a ride. If Biya wants true peace & his personal security, he should NOT dare touch the consitution. On the other hand, he should seek genuine dialogue with the people of Cameroon before quitting power. I hear they say a word to a wise is for the enough?
As for the Reporter or The Post being pro-government, the private press has been warned to tune down if not they will face the consequence already being faced by Equinoxe TV & Radio & Magic FM. They are just acting on the (government)spur of the moment. I was invited on a radio programme last week; before the commencement of the programme, I was told to tune down if not they too will be shudown.
Cheers & let's strategising to oust Mr. Biya on or before Oct. 2011
Atangha
Posted by: Atangha | Monday, 03 March 2008 at 11:14 AM
Dear All,
To begin with, I want to express my gratitude to all those who have been making relentless efforts in ensuring that Cameroon becomes a better place than we met. I know it's been long since I posted here - it doesn't mean that I have not been reading all the postings. I see everybody is focused on one thing: the Biya regime is the worst calamity that has befallen on our people since the Portuguese came to the Cameroons. Is Biya an anathema to Cameroon or Cameroonians themselves? Or is it the ALMIGHTY punishing us for being unnecessarily too peaceful?
That said, I want to congratulate the good people of Cameroon for telling the Biya regime that we are no longer docile; Yaounde like all parts of Cameroon are the same - hardship has taken over everything because of more than 25 years of biyamocracy. Mr. Biya now knows that Cameroonians can no longer be fooled via football victories/defeats - we will be happy after a football match & the next days will be like the others - the days before the football match. In fact, I see Cameroonians displaying "patriotism" via our flag only during football matches. Now that victories are dificult to come by, so too, our "patriotic" spirit is disappearing?
Yaounde that's supposed to breathing is now bleeding! Biya no longer trust his "natural fief." For those who don't know, the neighbourhoods that enforced the strike action were Mvog Mbi, Ekounou, Mimboman, etc., not Biyem-Assi or Obili. You know why I'm siting these two?
Moreover, we are told that Mr. Biya's outburst during his televised broadcast on the "peace-loving" people of Cameroon was because his son's business outfit in D'la was destroyed. He too felt the pinch of the strike. Has he learnt any lesson?
Someone said on TV in D'la that he knows the youths who claimed that they were paid to destroy, loot, etc. If we are in a state of law, the guy should have been picked up to help track down these so-called youths for investigations. But as you know, it'll end up like that others in the past.
I remember seeing Achidi Achu (then, as PM, (on CRTV) wining & dining with some 'youths' who claimed that they were the authors of burning that took place in B'da immediately after the stolen victory of 1992. I hope these two personalities will one day assist Cameroonians in knowing the truth.
Some of these claims are acted to blame the failure of the regime on the SDF. The same SDF which they said is finished as per the last elections. Today, they're playing the blame game on the SDF. If we truly had a president that, at least, cares about her people, he should have addressed the issues raised. On the contrary, we witnessed a lion portraying himself as the undisputable king of the forest.
Conventional wisdom holds that a president being the 1st citizen of a country has the last word in calming down tempers in times of a major crisis. Unfortunately, ours showed his true self - a bully who's either wicked or insensitive to the yearning of his people. For sure we don't know him, or what he's doing as "Chef de l'Etat." Whatever we asked, he gives us the opposite for the simple reason that he wants to remain in power at all cost. Examples are bound: ONEL, Tripatite, Elecam, etc. The only solutions is to end his reign as "Chief of State."
Our people are suffering today because of the selfish attitude of former dictator Ahidjo who single-handedly handed power to someone he "trusted." Unfortunately, he (Ahidjo) got stewed in his own juice.
Dear brothers & sisters,
Our destiny is in our hands. Exterminating the Biya's reign should be our utmost preoccupation. All postings so far have shown that our problem is Biya & his CPDM followers. As a majority party, CPDM leaders from the nooks & cranies of this country couln't use their "comfortable majority" to end the strike. This is a clear sign that they're an illegitimate lot that imposed themselves on us thru electoral banditry. Futhermore, this has taught Mr. Biya a good lesson not to attempt to bring about any form of modification on Article 6.2. In addition, Cameroonians from all the 4 corners of this country should tell the CPDM MPs that any attempt to side with Biya in making him president-for-life will be considered as treason on the people of this country. Of course, we (they too) know the consequence of a treasonable offence.
Last but not the list, I'll like any of us hear to translate "apprentice sorcier" in English. I don't agree with the word "demon" as officially translated.
In sum, I'm happy that Cameroonians for once have demystefied fear. Has fear been banished to Siberia? Let no one takes us for a ride. If Biya wants true peace & his personal security, he should NOT dare touch the consitution. On the other hand, he should seek genuine dialogue with the people of Cameroon before quitting power. I hear they say a word to a wise is for the enough?
As for this article being pro-government, I want to inform forumites that the regime is out to eliminate journalists and further shutdown news organs and media houses that are just doing their job as it's supposed to be done. Prove of this is the suspension of Magic FM, Equinoxe radio & TV (for now?). I was invited for a talk show on an FM radio. Before the programme began, I was told to be less critical, if not, they too will face the music. So, bear with The Post & her reporter. If we have a genuine Union of Journalist in Cameroon, just like elsewhere, they would have protested against these injustices by suspending broadcasting until the ban is uplifted. I guess we all know the fate of genuine associations in our country - they're polarised so as to be weakened.
Cheers & let's strategising to oust Mr. Biya on or before Oct. 2011
Atangha
N.B.: Sorry for the many postings, connection problems, grammatical errors, presentation, etc.
Posted by: Atangha | Monday, 03 March 2008 at 11:34 AM