SDF’s 18-Year Crusade For Change

By Francis Wache

The SDF clocked 18 on May 26. During its 18-year lifetime, the party has gone through rough times. In the last 18 years, the SDF has gone through several travails. But it seems to have weathered the storms.There have been internal wrangles and squabbles, but somehow, the party survives. Many observers condemn the "obnoxious Article 8.2 of the party, which has led to numerous expulsions. There has been too much bloodletting. Not unnaturally, the Front seems to have gobbled lots of its children.

In its attempt to return Cameroon to a one party State, the New Deal has steadily masterminded the dwindling of the party.Other parties have been lured by the CPDM and have either joined the ruling party or been neutralised into silence. Some have fallen under ambit of the so-called Presidential Majority.

As soon as these parties sign political pacts with the CPDM, they lose their bite as opposition parties. Some have simply vanished from the political arena. Some of the parties who have joined government find it difficult to criticise what they are part of.

The SDF, on the other hand, has been steadfast. The party has resisted all attempts by the CPDM to lure, cajole or coerce it into submission.The government has attempted to infiltrate and sabotage the party. It has failed. All manoeuvres to woo the party have flopped. The SDF can be said to have been constant. Steadfast.

And, so, the party continues to wax strong. True, it is not waxing as ebullient as it used to. But, then, time, too, has taken its toll.In 1992, barely two years after the party was authorised, Fru Ndi contested the Presidential race that year and it was widely held that he won although Biya "stole" the victory.

To cow Fru Ndi and his supporters, Biya placed the Northwest province, the bastion of the party, under a state of emergency. The intention was to intimidate the party from insisting on recovering its stolen victory.

In 1992, however, the SDF boycotted the parliamentary elections, a move, which, till today, has remained highly controversial.Nonetheless, when the SDF went in for elections in 1997, it scored a seeming victory when they captured 48 seats. They won only 22 seats in 2002. Today, the CPDM whittled the number to 16. Will these figures continue to progressively plummet? Difficult to say.

Despite the fact that the party could hardly influence the trend of affairs in the National Assembly, the MPs were credited with getting Ministers to defend their acts and their budgets. It is due to the probing prowess of the SDF MPs that what came to be called the Mounchougate was uncovered.

After the July 2007 twin elections, the SDF seemed to have fared poorly. They lost parliamentary seats in the Northwest and failed to control councils they had been running since the 1996 municipal elections. They barely managed to scrape through forming a parliamentary group.

With such seeming dimming political fortunes, the question on most lips is: how will this frontline opposition party fare in the coming years, especially now that, by modifying the Constitution, Biya appears to have entrenched himself in power. With the rigging machinery oiled and working with such perfection, can the SDF rise again and perform the feat the party performed in 1992?

First, although the fate of the party may look bleak, there is one capital they can always exploit to bounce back: All Cameroonians know that it is the party that brought democracy to Cameroon. Even if there is still a lot to be desired about the democratic experience in Cameroon today, the little that has been achieved so far can only be attributed to the SDF.

When one considers the paltry means available, it is difficult not to admit that the party has, on the whole, scored positively.For, if, today, Cameroonians can speak freely, if human rights are respected, if corruption is no longer encouraged to flourish with downright impunity, all these, must, to a large extent, be credited to the SDF.

If, for instance, human rights are no longer grossly and recklessly raped in Cameroon today, this is due, mainly, to the SDF.Before anything else, the party has to reconcile with itself. More important, it must put in place other mechanisms than expulsion of erring members. That has led to haemorrhage of the quality membership that the party cannot afford to lose.

The party also needs to constantly galvanise the grassroots rather than waiting for elections when, often, it is too late to stimulate an apathetic followership. Party rallies and education drives must be continual.

The masses that were enthusiastic in the 1990s seem to be battle weary. Some supporters of the party who expected speedy change have become dejected and disillusioned. They need to be reminded that change, especially of an entrenched oligarchy, takes time. The party must ceaselessly drum the message that change does not come easy.

If the party must face and conquer the looming challenges, it must reinvigorate itself by injecting new blood. The party must scout for younger members vibrating with gusto to steer its affairs. Women and the youth should be entrusted with more responsibility at decision-making levels of the party. In this way, the SDF will be nurturing a new breed of leaders for future battles.

For any moves at reconciliation to be meaningful, it is advisable for the Chairman of the party to start with the Founding Fathers so that, together, they can examine where the dream was, possibly, derailed and how they can chart a way forward.

Above all, the party needs to rekindle hope in its militants that change is not only possible but feasible.As the frontline opposition party, the SDF must play the leadership role it once played in rallying other opposition parties, no matter how obscure. The task of changing Cameroon is so demanding that the SDF alone cannot fulfil it. The SDF must, therefore, rally the support of those genuine opposition parties in its crusade for change in Cameroon.

Today, as was the case 18 years ago, the SDF stands as the only beacon of change in Cameroon. Will the party rise to its historic mission and fulfil the dream or will it betray the aspirations of Cameroonians? The leadership of the party must tackle that question frontally if they still intend to remain of any relevance on the Cameroonian landscape.

Comments

[UnitedstatesofAfrica]

Mr. Wache, I must say that this is an outstanding article. A great tribute to the SDF and its accomplishments in Cameroon.

The article almost ( and I stress on the almost) made me to believe again the the logo of SDF "Suffer Don Finish"!

[foh nefoh]

What I want
In the history, the peoples haven't triumphed of the fear,of the hate and all kinds of threats for their cohesion, their unity,their responsability,their dignity and souvereignty without an exact moment,the citizens don't wake up individually to take the position at last,to express themselves on the situation of the moment and on the perspectives which go delineated for their destiny.

As most strong as Dictatorships and the wrong gouvernments,as the most strong as the cheating reign,of the insult,of humiliation and of the hopelessness,it has always had and it must have,the citizen sufficiently motivated and sensibilized,to tell the anger,to show the way of the collective reason,to announce the revolt of all malcontents and of all outcasts.

Comrades of struggle for freedom,let us engage the march towards the individual and collective responsability without in that,it would never have in the humanity only the baseness. We hear to send to the rest of the world like some peoples did it already in the same circumstances,the message of our existence and our predisposition once,to fight till the victory on all injustices.
Comrades,I want that the Republic don't become the field of vengeances to make the triumph of some clans pressed to change the sense of the history.

Comrades of struggle for the peace,I don't want the trial which it doesn't be the product from the real will to turn the page and to change the colours of our savage and predatory ideologies. I want anywhere the reflection instead of the infantile and sterile accusations.I want to believe that we are all inhabitants of a Republic which was managed by his first masters like a private purse and which it foundered in a illegitimate succession that it didn't care about the popular will. That was in cause at Germany of Hitler,Italy of Mussolini,Chile of Pinochet,Russie of Staline,Zimbabwe of Mugabe,Cameroon of Biya,either wasn't the simple person or the powerful stature of the autocrats reigning.
Comrades of struggle for the justice,I want to make the hearing in all confines where the the unhappiness of the reigning autocracy,that the heaviest in the perdition of the city and the death of hope began with the false elections,false promise of democracy,false techniques of management,false critarions of selection of the responsibles,and at last the false trials.I declare that the greatest unhappiness which we have known,wasn't some stealings,some embezzlements,but rather the refusal of the citizen fundamental right to be pronounce freely on his destiny,on the choice of his higher leader.
Comrades of struggle for democracy,I want to understand what animates the Dictator BIYA,what thinks the bleeding BIYA,what he foresees,and where he leads us.Machiavel wasn't only a disturbing ghost in the art to stun his subjects,he was also a built mind who knew how to take out for a walk his subjects in the garden of cynicism however lighted by the lights showing the limits of his powers and the substances of his cruelty.

I want a ordered Republic which it treats us as the subjects of right and not as the slaves suspended at the will of the Prince BIYA and his CPDM who make the trials of the people rather than the trial of the system that he has consecrated,crystallized,fitted in our entrails.I want to see Mr BIYA sues within elk of humility,before announce the new Republic,the new dawn and the glory of the true,because without his preliminary autocracy,any judicial enterprise is only vanity of vanity and diversions of diversions.
I have thought as a humble citizen,my responsability of lighter in this phase of my brief existence,imposed that I interpellate Mr Biya openly and wildly to notify him the inadequation of his gait.

Citizen,I declare that I want to see settling what the totalitarian government called Moralisation and renewal ,but at one and strict condition that the people would be kept in good order,informed and reassured on the schedule of the operations and on it ends.I wouldn't be the Attorney of circumstance,in a country where I haven' taken the time to kill myself.
Wake up,you all those citizens who stay clear and who inspire the well-being. So wake up,you ,all those who wouldn't do like Mugabe in Zimbabwe.
Citizen of freedom,there is 18 years ago that we have retaken the struggle begun by the OUandie,UM NYOBE and other martyrs of the freedom in our country.Let's go ahead because it is the endurance in the fihgt that we will end by triumphing.Our victory is almost there.

[foh nefoh]

What I want
In the history, the peoples haven't triumphed of the fear,of the hate and all kinds of threats for their cohesion, their unity,their responsability,their dignity and souvereignty without an exact moment,the citizens don't wake up individually to take the position at last,to express themselves on the situation of the moment and on the perspectives which go delineated for their destiny.

As most strong as Dictatorships and the wrong gouvernments,as the most strong as the cheating reign,of the insult,of humiliation and of the hopelessness,it has always had and it must have,the citizen sufficiently motivated and sensibilized,to tell the anger,to show the way of the collective reason,to announce the revolt of all malcontents and of all outcasts.

Comrades of struggle for freedom,let us engage the march towards the individual and collective responsability without in that,it would never have in the humanity only the baseness. We hear to send to the rest of the world like some peoples did it already in the same circumstances,the message of our existence and our predisposition once,to fight till the victory on all injustices.
Comrades,I want that the Republic don't become the field of vengeances to make the triumph of some clans pressed to change the sense of the history.

Comrades of struggle for the peace,I don't want the trial which it doesn't be the product from the real will to turn the page and to change the colours of our savage and predatory ideologies. I want anywhere the reflection instead of the infantile and sterile accusations.I want to believe that we are all inhabitants of a Republic which was managed by his first masters like a private purse and which it foundered in a illegitimate succession that it didn't care about the popular will. That was in cause at Germany of Hitler,Italy of Mussolini,Chile of Pinochet,Russie of Staline,Zimbabwe of Mugabe,Cameroon of Biya,either wasn't the simple person or the powerful stature of the autocrats reigning.
Comrades of struggle for the justice,I want to make the hearing in all confines where the the unhappiness of the reigning autocracy,that the heaviest in the perdition of the city and the death of hope began with the false elections,false promise of democracy,false techniques of management,false critarions of selection of the responsibles,and at last the false trials.I declare that the greatest unhappiness which we have known,wasn't some stealings,some embezzlements,but rather the refusal of the citizen fundamental right to be pronounce freely on his destiny,on the choice of his higher leader.
Comrades of struggle for democracy,I want to understand what animates the Dictator BIYA,what thinks the bleeding BIYA,what he foresees,and where he leads us.Machiavel wasn't only a disturbing ghost in the art to stun his subjects,he was also a built mind who knew how to take out for a walk his subjects in the garden of cynicism however lighted by the lights showing the limits of his powers and the substances of his cruelty.

I want a ordered Republic which it treats us as the subjects of right and not as the slaves suspended at the will of the Prince BIYA and his CPDM who make the trials of the people rather than the trial of the system that he has consecrated,crystallized,fitted in our entrails.I want to see Mr BIYA sues within elk of humility,before announce the new Republic,the new dawn and the glory of the true,because without his preliminary autocracy,any judicial enterprise is only vanity of vanity and diversions of diversions.
I have thought as a humble citizen,my responsability of lighter in this phase of my brief existence,imposed that I interpellate Mr Biya openly and wildly to notify him the inadequation of his gait.

Citizen,I declare that I want to see settling what the totalitarian government called Moralisation and renewal ,but at one and strict condition that the people would be kept in good order,informed and reassured on the schedule of the operations and on it ends.I wouldn't be the Attorney of circumstance,in a country where I haven' taken the time to kill myself.
Wake up,you all those citizens who stay clear and who inspire the well-being. So wake up,you ,all those who wouldn't do like Mugabe in Zimbabwe.
Citizen of freedom,there is 18 years ago that we have retaken the struggle begun by the OUandie,UM NYOBE and other martyrs of the freedom in our country.Let's go ahead because it is the endurance in the fihgt that we will end by triumphing.Our victory is almost there.

[Essono]

The Social Democratic Front(SDF) of comrade Ni John Fru Ndi, is the most viable and alternative political bloc that stands a serious chance of bringing political change in Cameroon and propel this c'ntry on the path of democracy,freedom and justice.Until at such a time when another movement shall whisk itself into the political limelight and stand as an alternative to the SDF.With groundbreaking reforms within the party and with the youths at the centre stage of politicking,Cameroonians shall once more dream of the possiblity of change.Ofcourse,that's the wish of an optimist.

Its not going to be a roller coaster ride and change in Cameroon isn't for today nor in the foreseeable future.Bc the forces that stand against us are deeply entrenched and their power is overwhelming.But one irrevocable fact remains,that the youths must usurp the struggle for democracy.This generation must confiscate their political birth right and sprint themselves into the political arena with all the invogorating fervency.

If not,the youth will continue to live in the peripheries of political life and would hardly find any solutions to the problems faced by this nation.If not,they shall continue to be dazzled by the mirage of western civilisation without having any possibility to change their own c'ntry.The youth must realise that we are partly responsible (however remote) for turning the country into an economic,social and political graveyard bc of our complacency and passivity.

Haven recognised our complacency we must shun "belly politics" which is motivated by the urge to survive and the predatory quest for material satisfaction making us appendages to the status quo.We should dissuade political methuselahs who see us not as 'shareholders' in the political struggle but as instruments for the actualisation of their egocentric political agendas.

The worst thing will be for Cameroon's youth to continue to revel in pessimism.We must believe even in the impossible.When asked why he remained in prison for 27 yrs despite the Apartheid regime's numerous offers for a negotiated release,Nelson Mandela replied,"...bc I knew that Apartheid South Africa shall end one day".That's how we should hold steadfast and believe even in the face of grounded tyranny.

The youth must continue to raise their voices and refuse to be dragooned into submission.We should continue to question the rationality of political absolutism in our c'ntry.And despite victimisation and persecution,we must continue to seek out avenues to take our country.

[rexon]

The SDF was created by Southern Cameroonian activists who thought they could liberate our country from within the politics of La Republique Francaise du Cameroun. Since they realised their error, they have since backed out and form a new political force that embodies the hope and aspirations of the Southern Cameroonian people. Where is Anyangwe, Feko, Late Mukong, Late Pa Luma, etc. These people all left Camerounese politics and were/have been focusing their energy on the liberation of the Southern Cameroons. However, we all know that there is enough money to make in Camerounese politics. That is why some are still hanging our with the enemy, temporising with their hollow theory of one Cameroon that they know never was. To hell with these traitors

[Essono]

Bla,bla,bla,bla,bla !!!

A racket in the name of a liberation movement.By day u will hear them "ejaculating" their habitual hymns,"Southern cams shall be free,Southern Cams shall be free".

By night they turn to seasoned clientelist,pocketing envelops from Cameroon's diplomatic missions and embassies.

The affair in a Swiss motel.Do u remember?HYPOCRISY.

[rexon]

what happenned in a Swiss motel? we all know of your chairmans red carpet reception by Biya?

[Essono]

There are only two ways for u secessionists;either u take the path of a progressive and an evolutionary approach to autonomy.That is Federation and/or Confederation OR:

You prepare yourselves for Civil war.

Stay tuned.

[Ma Mary]

Correction: "WAR OF LIBERATION" not "CIVIL WAR" if it comes to that.

The FrancoCamerounese government has no interest in Federation/Confederation and could well engage in war rather than concede those. How many bona fide frogs have you met who are clamoring to give Southern Cameroonians the kind of freedom that those structures promise.

We have been down that road before. The Camerounese are not interested. Moreover, closer reading of history and the texts and extrapolating francocamerounese behaviour indicates that those options are suboptimal and probably illegal.

Essono, your style is reminiscent of another Camerounese shill who used to troll these pages.

As you have said, stay tuned.

[Essono]

Ma Mary,

A "War of Liberation" for u Secessionists and for us Unionists or Federalists a Civil War.Matter of semantics !!!

Doesn't matter whether Biya's regime will concede to a Federal or Confederal system.We must fight for it.Ofcourse,no dictatorship gives in to any concessions without a fight.For your info. Ma Mary,I have met many "frogs" especially Bamileke and Duala people who are categorically for a Federal system.They even see a Federation as beneficial to them.Bc they will be able consolidate their wealth in such a system.

I have met with many young political activists from the other side of the Mungo like the the Brice Nitcheu's,the Tene Sop's and a host of others who represent various political blocs and whom Biya's regime dread like a plague.Through numerous meetings with these guys we came out all unanimous with one thing,that Federalism was the only way foreward for Cameroon.

And if u think the "Southern Cameroons" will gain souvereignty without a fight then u're hallucinating.Nowhere,I mean nowhere on the "Dark Continent" have a people attained souvereignty without the crackling sounds of Kalashnikovs.U guys are really imagining that a souvereign nation will leave part of its territory without a fight,in AFRICA?

There's always this reference to Eritrea.THis nation waged a 31 yr secession war against Ethiopia and not without millions of casualties.Are "Southern Cameroonians" ready for that? One of the salient reasons why Eritrea succeeded was the fact that Ethiopia is inherently a Federal nation.The Eritreans had been in control of their own local administration,judiciary,education,resources,territory etc.And the spirit of independence had already been deeply inculcated in the psychic of the people.This situation is completely at variance with that of the "Southern Cameroons".

Leap frogging from a Unitary system into Independence without going through the evolutionary stages of authonomy and worst still without adequately preparing the collective conscience of our people will be nothing less but collective suicide.The "Southern Cameroons Cause" will be totally annihilated.We can't allow that to happen.NO!!!

We were on the "chantier" of Federalism but greed and power mongering brought us back.Let's ply back that highway.It will help us see where we went wrong and how we can consolidate our unity and coexist with each other.

[Essono]

From my own analysis and findings,these present secessionists movements do not have what it takes to prepare the collective psychic of a people clamouring for greater authonomy or souvereignty.They are virtually ideologically bereft and totally stripped of that revolutionary zeigeist that animated those movements that brought about the independence of African nations.And without a real charismatic leader who embodies the unity of the liberation struggle,it will be almost impossible to rally the mass of "Southern Cameroonians" to adhere to such an enterprise.

I propose that these "liberation movements" should readapt their objectives;that is from Secession or Independence to Federalism.After all Albert Mukong,RIP,(the Conscience of Anglophone Souvereignty)once said he would accept a Federal system if it was proposed by the regime.Hear him,"Half a bread is better than none".These liberation movements should come out from illegality or the Maquis and transform into political parties with one agenda;FEDERALISM.I think they will help to advance that cause than any other party has been able to do.And why not even sweep the limelight from the SDF party.

Another suggestion is that they can create a party within the present political set up in Cameroon.It has been done elsewhere in the world.ETA ran a political party in Spain called "Batasuna" though it was later on banned.This party (with one agenda)can play the role of a "relay" and push foreward the cause for more authonomy for the anglophones in Cameroon and at the same time preparing and adequately sensitising the people without fear of persecution.Well,that will depend also on the political environment.That's my proposal.

Bc its just not working.The present liberation mov'ts just can't deliver.

[Radicalbrother]

comrades,
The worst thing that can ever happen in this country is for SDF to take over power. It is a nightmare and a vision of hope being built on the mud. Remember that those who live on hope will die fasting. The God Cameroonians are serving is not sleeping to allow this happen.
Fru Ndi did not bring democracy to Cameroon. If you think he did, why is he not practicing it is his own party? My mayor was brought in through the Investiture committee or what so ever you may call it and i know how much he gave Fru Ndi to impose him.
My brother, you can not be condemning the container but you like the content. I mean you can not deny at broad day light the issue of Southern Cameroon and yet you are exploiting their fuel and other natural resources. Is this not hypocrisy of the first order? history will forgive you for taking a wrong decision but will not for not taking any at all.
Let your chairman be dreaming and comparing himself with Nelson Mandela as he is impoverishing the followers of his party. His days are numbered

[Essono]

President Paul Biya addresses the nation this evening at 8:00 pm

[massamoyo]

Essono,
I have just read some of your articles. I will like ou to remind the SDF people that they should rather demolish their ego as it has not work and join the forces of SCNC.

Secondl you were trying to remind us of Biya's address. Who and on what is he addressing? Surely he will b talking about our Bakassi and clapping his hands on how much he is going to embezzle.

Why is it that only the Presidency know how much is gotten from our oil wealth in Limbo

[rexon]

RESTORATION GOVERNMENT COMMUNIQUE!

TO: ALL CITIZENS OF THE BRITISH SOUTHERN CAMEROONS
FROM: SECRETARIAT
DATE: August2017, 2008
REF. BSCRG/001SC/ 2008
SUBJECT: HEAD OF GOVERNMENT TO VISIT THE USA/JOINED BY HRH CHIEF ETTE OTUN AYAMBA

THE Head of Government (HOG), PROF. CARLSON ANYANGWE, will be making an historic visit to the USA. He will be joined by the National Chairman of the SCNC, CHIEF ETTE OTUN AYAMBA. They will have a busy travel schedule in the USA.

Their Washington DC Joint appearance is confirmed as follows:

WHEN: Sunday, 31ST OF AUGUST202008
TIME: 2:00PM TO 6:00 PM
VENUE: 1515 MERRIMAC DRIVE, LANGLEY PARK MD 20783.

Please treat this as urgent. For further information contact the following:

· Dr. Emil Mondoa -- AHOG (fakoman@yahoo. com)
· Prof. John Fobanjong --Special Missions (jfoban@yahoo. com)
· Mr. Wesley Tiku--Foreign Affairs (wesleyreal@yahoo. com)
· Mr. Eric Tita Moh Takwi --Home Affairs(mohtakwi@yahoo. com) Chair SCNC-USA (301)523 7317)

We wish the HOG and The National Chairman SCNC safe travel to the USA. We thank SCNC-USA for very active participation in making this trip possible. You will get very pertinent updates about the restored Nation--British Southern Cameroons. This trip is very Informative. Be there in person to hear for yourself.

Please give this announcement very widest publicity and mobilize fcitizens and friends of the Soutthern Cameroons to be there!!!
------------ -
Professor Martin Ayim
Secretary General, BSCRG
International Law is powerful. The British Southern Cameroons struggle is deeply rooted in International law and Africa Union Constitutive Act 4( b), whi ch states that boundaries attained at Independence are inviolable.

[Essono]

Ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,

Restoration gov't indeed.

Somebody described these guys as whistle blowing cowboys.How many years after independence and in the 21st century,a free peoples still call themselves British.God gracious !!!

..."African Union constitutive Act 4(b),which states that boundaries attained at Independence are inviolable".And some people want to violate the souvereign borders of Cameroon at the same time quoting the very law that prohibits them to violate such borders.

I read Anyangwe's Constitutional Law books at law school,but am shocked by the man's naivity.

CAMEROON SHALL REMAIN ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.