Cameroon’s 2011 Presidential Election: The Necessity of an Independent Female Challenger

By Joseph M. Ndifor

As Cameroonians grapple with the aberration that incumbent president, Paul Biya, will hold onto power after the 2011 presidential election, there’s been no mention of a possible female challenger who could effectively oust him from that position.  Today, more than ever before, the entry of a female opposition candidate into the race to bring about the demise of this regime can no longer be ignored.  The current major opposition parties--all headed by males-have been ineffective in their attempts at challenging the incumbent. The dearth of female opposition candidates on Cameroon’s political landscape has somehow, in my observation, derailed efforts in changing the country. 

The possibility that a female opposition candidate would provide the political firestorm needed to purge the Biya regime may, in the estimation of some observers, be wishful thinking but history is full of surprises, and Cameroon should be no exception.  Just five years ago, no one imagined that a black person would become president of the United States. Following a tumultuous civil war, Liberians also stunned the world when they chose Eillen Johnson Sirleaf as their first female president. If fate somehow intervened in these instances, why should it be any different when it concerns Cameroon?

Political pundits-determined to keep the status quo, and with some errant beliefs that an Anglophone cannot rule Cameroon-would also be viscerally opposed to the notion of a female president. In arrogance-as he has exhibited  before with other opposition leaders- Paul Biya would dismiss a female opposition candidate as a nonentity, but this may be his doom. People Power, the Philippine revolution in 1986 against Ferdinand Marcos, is a classic example of a dictatorial regime that crumbled with the emergence of a reluctant female opponent (late Corazon Aquino). Were a female to take center stage against Paul Biya in the 2011 presidential contest, the intimidation and other heavy-handed methods generally meted on opposition figures may arouse the world’s attention to the plight of Cameroonians.

But what would it take for a female candidate to draw the support needed at this critical stage? While I have no precise answers for what it would entail, I would opine on some of issues that may be essential in the process:  Of all the corrupt Cameroonians that have brazenly embezzled government funds, more males, than females, have featured on that sordid list, an important factor that Cameroonians at this moment may consider in their desire for a female president. Drawing support, especially among Cameroonians in the Diaspora, will be essential.  The number of Cameroonians currently living abroad has increased exponentially over the years.  No one doubts the economic clout –though not often publicly pronounced-that these Cameroonians could exert on Cameroon’s economy. Their contributions-in the form of remittances and other business ventures- have incrementally revived some areas of the moribund economy.    This is a population that can no longer be ignored in any political process within Cameroon. It is also a good source of support for a female with presidential ambitions.

Name recognition, a sometimes-important factor in politics which has elevated women to leadership positions in some conservative countries like Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka, has not been notably successful in the case of Cameroon, and in any event should be ignored by any determined female aspirant. In politics, it is not unusual for an unknown person to surprise the electorate with seismic victory. Timing is everything.  Cameroonians would enthusiastically support a woman who identifies herself with the suffering masses and is able to articulate firmly on the essential needs of the country.

At the international level, momentum is building in support of female leadership in many Third World countries where women issues have traditionally been shoved aside.  In response to this outside pressures, and for political expediency, many of these countries, including  Cameroon, have begun appointing women in junior leadership positions, but Cameroonian women should remain implacable to these overtures for they all mask the real problem confronting the country. A leadership change, beginning with the presidency, is the target, and should be pursued relentlessly.   Like Cameroon, Zimbabwe’s current crisis still lingers because the real target, Robert Mugabe, is still at the helm of power even though Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai, was recently brought into the government. Still at a global level, France, Cameroon’s furtive ally, may reluctantly throw her support behind a female candidate who appears to garner support from countries like the United States and Great Britain. After all, then U.S. President George W. Bush was so elated upon Sirleaf Johnson’s victory in Liberia that he wanted a meeting with her in the White House even before her inauguration as president.

Cameroonians have groped in the dark for too long for a leader who could stir the country towards economic prosperity. The two prominent post-independence leaders, all males, have ruled the country with very paltry results. Maybe it’s time a female steps into the political fray and provide some fresh air.

While I’ve been deliberate in this piece not to cite possible names of women who can run for the position of president, there are many Cameroonian women out there, in the academia, international institutions, and others who, with encouragement from Cameroonians, can take on this task. Do you know of a female with leadership qualities who can surprise Cameroonians at this difficult moment and wrest power?

Comments

[Tomashu]

As much as I would be thrilled by a female candidate in the 2011 presidential elections, policy and vision for our country is what would make any candidate truly outstanding. I think it is about time Cameroonians start asking their politicians tough policy question. We have voted along tribal lines and empty promises and that hasn't made our country any better. Let's look beyond gender,tribal allegiance, political alliances etc, these only divide us and mask out quality candidates.

[Bob Bristol]

If we must follow precedence, then I would say first things first. An independent electoral commission before the contestants are made known. But then, if Biya is still a candidate then lets forget about using the ballot.

On the issue of a female candidate, the big question is WHY ARE THEY? In fact, Cameroonians of all gender have all stained themselves in one way or the other that very few can beat their chest in public to castigate issues of corruption or nepotism. However, I would still encouraged those who have soiled or abuse their positions at one time but have made considerable progress to redress and work devotedly in their various fields to show up.

If not that age may be weighing so much on her, the Dorothy Njuema that I met in Yaounde as rector , is a strict disciplinarian and an achiever. For the few months I spent in Cameroon, I couldn't reconcile the past stories about her and the personality I had the opportunity of interacting with. We may need her kind in Cameroon today. But she wouldn't win my vote if redressing the Anglophone problem is not part of her top most priority.

[Ekema]

2011 is a year of change, cameroonians want to hear of new names as far as the the 2011 election is concenr. giving room to women i think is a very good idea and cameroonian will be very happy having a mother as a president of the country no matter where she comes from.let opposition parties like SDF,UNDP, look for a woman who can talk to the people as a mother and we shall see that change, the SG of the SDF can stand as a candidate she is bilingual, minister Ama Muna can stand as a candidate she too is bilingual, Dorothy Njuema can stand if only biya will not be a candidate then will shall see our dream of change come true. long live cameroonian women your time to shine is now may God bless

[Adolf A Agbormbai]

It's good to see that Postnewsline.com, which I thought was long dead, has been running as Up Station Mountain Club. The new site is much better than the old one.

Keep up the good work of writing classy articles on topical issues. I shall be coming back here for my commentaries.

As far as I'm concerned the major strategic issue for Cameroon today is who will replace Paul Biya in 2011.

For the good health and well being of the nation it is mandatory that Paul Biya leaves office in 2011. We need a new country with fresh ideas and a new leader.

We must have a brilliant leader in office in 2011. Tribe does not matter. Gender does not matter. Only ability matters!

To find this leader there must be due process...

Between now and the next general election party leaders and independents must research and formulate their political manifesto describing and analysing the problems of the country.

This manifesto will discuss the strategies and higher-level tactics for dealing with these problems. The solution must be grounded in reality and take into account constraints.

The manifesto will include implementation or action plans for applying the solution, and the start date for such plans must be the FIRST DAY in office.

Low-level tactics are not needed at this stage because they are the things one adjusts on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis to implement the solution. They must therefore be flexible and are best formulated when in office.

The role of the Press is to ensure that the nation understands the various positions of the leading candidates. Basically they must help the people to make informed decisions at the ballot box.

The press will interview these candidates on their manifestos, and critically analyse their positions in language that the people can understand.

The press will also organise debates among the leading candidates so that they can argue out their positions and defend their solutions.

The goal behind all these is to ensure that the best candidate gains the Presidency through the ballot box. This candidate will be brilliant, knowledgeable about the issues of the country, and will thus have the best solution for the way forward.

When in office the Press will keep an eye on the Presidency and its actions to check that the promised manifesto is being implemented. And when there are deviations, the Press will raise an issue on the matter.

Cameroon must have an independent election body that guarantees fair elections and that is therefore acceptable to all stakeholders.

Forget about Paul Biya's ELECAM. It is Biya's toy for defrauding elections and keeping himself in power forever.

Paul Biya is irrelevant to the next general elections, as his term runs out in 2011. He therefore has no authority or say over the events of that election. Authority belongs to the Cameroonian people and not to Paul Biya.

Cameroon is bigger than Paul Biya or any individual Cameroonian. Cameroon has decided that Paul Biya's ELECAM will not stand and it won't!

Preparations must start to formulate an independent election commission that will oversee the next general election.

[Peter Forkou]

Mr. Ndifor,
Did you have somebody in mind? Are we going to sit around and wait for a woman to remove Biya from office? This is really grappling in the dark. Ellen Johnson was a powerhouse in Liberian politics before she ever ran for the presidency. I am not sure there is such a woman in Cameroon. We have some phonies who have been bought by the current administration and there is just not much we can do. Biya is going to win the next election and the next, all what we should pray for is that what happened to Bongo should happen to him. Luckily for us Frank is not the kind of person we should be worried about.

[Fawa]

who are even the candidates? Those names should have been published long time ago..... We are kin to listen to constructive ideas as to how they would bring prosperity, peace and for all, justice to the cameroonians.

[Mr. Njenji]

Are people not tired of holding a position. What does Biya wants today after how many years on power?
When I was young, my brother use to tell me that I should study hard in school because the future of Cameroon lies with us. This, I took it serious and did my best in School.
Today, I tell the same story to my junior brothers. For 0ver 27 years now, Cameroon has no better story to tell the youth. What promises do we have for our Children? Empty promises because of one man.

Does Biya relly knows that God exist? Have he ever sat down and though about the living conditions of his country men? Is his father the only one that lived in Cameroon before?

There is no question on thinking of who should remove Biya from power. Biya himself should just turn around and see how he has handicapped the Country and step down quietly.

Many leaders of his age are resting quietly on their retirement. Can we ever find a Leader like Nelson Mandela of South Africa?
A day will come that Cameroonians will be liberated.

If there is any lady who feel any spirit of leadership in her, she is highly welcomed. It should be recalled that women makes the majority of Cameroon population. This can be a chance for history to take its place.

[ORTIS CROSS]

Hey guys,don`t you worry about Biya much because in my oppinion he is the immediate cause and the remote one which is us the Cameronians proper seems to outwear the latter.
In some countries people appart from nursing dreams to become reach and famouse,also have dreams of archieving greatness/fame in their works.How many of such are we?
IN our case,even the man on the street with no potentials,no willingness to make himselve usefull to the sosiety in any way dreams of giving himself the best ride and luxery you can immagin.HOW?
i am not in support of the monster we all have in our midst in the name of our President but what i do suggest is that we start changing ourselves so that we will never have to do with another generation of irresponsible old lads who live like there will be no tomorrow.We have to do just that or risk having another BIYA CLICK or one even worse.
Apparently, he is trying to do something possitive this time arround even if he is doing so for his selfish end which we all can anticipate,it is an indication that his end time is near and that he has developped some guilt.
We can only hope that those he has pretended to put in prison do not come out strong enough to continue from where they stopped.I hope he lives on for a while so some order can be put in place before he rejoins Mubutu and Bongo where ever they are anxiousely waiting for his arrival.
Please BIYA,DO NOT LEAVE US.I am particularly worried becuase you do no longer look like the LION PRESIDENT YOU used to be.Go out and do some sports-play succer or so.Or may be look for a chance to play in the frecnh national team.YOu are young and will never grow old .You should never die,please superman,leave for ever for no one has ever been President and will never be if you die some day.
I hope the body guards will be able to shoot at the invisible man when he arrives.

[njimaforboy]

...boy. That is something to think about. Some one ones wrote about the road to hell being paved with good intentions. That does not change the course of the Journey. Anything done for the good of the masses is always good, no matter the hidden intentions or agenda.

Cameroon needs a caring leader who will attempt to heal the wounds created by almost 50 years of French illegal exploitation and political influence of divide and conquer. Hopefully such a leader will have the intergrity of creating two seperate States. No amount of divine intervention can solve the Francophone /Anglophone problem. We are completely different people, but we can happily co-exist as seperate States or Country.

So, getting rid of the 888lbs aging gorilla called Biya Paul is the first Major Problem facing us. The new leader must then work at creating two seperate Republics or better even, Seperate Countries.

[time will come]

Cry my beloved country!!!!!!, everything has time and when the time comes, no one can stop it. I do not know if President Biya has ever sat down to ask himself, why all Cameroonians want to travel abroad? If you put me in his position i will step down quietly and relax, after all the years of stress. Nature will take its turn , if he does not want to let it go. other have gone his turn will come.

[milton]

let a female try lets see migh be changes would come to our country.

[Samuel Kisong]

Mr. Biya will be president till he dies in office or hand over to his son Frank. I am sorry to say this but it’s my best prediction.
There is no reason to believe that this strong man who has been credited by Intellectual- Think-Tanks in Washington of having invented the most efficient election rigging machinery in the world will become an honest broker overnight. This is a man who openly lied on international TV that he had invited Fru Ndi to Yaounde to meet with him and Fru Ndi failed to come
Paul Biya would be in jail now if he were a leader of a Western nation. Africa is Africa. Sorry but Biya will always win using the Biya way

[Victorine]

This will be an awaken to the Citizenship right to vote.A right most Cameroonians are over looking ,This female Candidate will be the begining of great Change.

[Mvoe Mvolye]

My God! the desperation heightens by the hour. what strikes me most as i read thru all d commentz r d wods of A. Adolf Agbormbai, "Authority belongs to the Cameroonian people & not to Paul Biya..."

mennn! ponder on this! lets wake up, we've been sleeping for too long, 2011 is the time to speak up!!! No more cowards! Passivity is no answer to the plight of C'roonians, we have the power to make bring about change, IT DEPENDS ON YOU AND I, the time to begin is NOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

C'roonian Youths, reveillez vous! WAKE UP! Maintenant!!!

[Djoa Owona , Yaoundé]

I propose Edith Kah Walla, hoping she'll go in as a presidential candidate for the Cameroon 2011 elections... She is dynamic.

What i love most is her "power to the people" cry, thats what we need more than anyth'g, we've been deprived of our POWER for too long.

I followed up with her interview/ debate on CRTV, i must say she stands a good chance, not withstanding, she needs the Cameroonians to throw their full weight behind her.

& motion of support. i have ne'er dreamt of voting in Cameroon but will dare to do so in 2011 if she would stand in the elections! I can't wait

[Afanda Kamdem, Yaounde]

Cote from Edith Kah Walla

"...Je ne fais pas du tout confiance à Elecam. Il ne répond toujours pas à ces critères de légitimité et de crédibilité. Et les problèmes sont à trois niveaux : politique par rapport à la composition du conseil électoral ; juridique parce que certaines lois ont été bafouées et ne sont pas respectées ; et, plus grave, un problème technique parce que malgré toutes les promesses,

Elecam continue de procéder aux inscriptions à la main et il ne semble pas avoir d’informatisation en vue.

Presque tous les pays africains utilisent la biométrie pour éviter au maximum les fraudes, or Elecam n’envisage même pas cette éventualité … Donc il y a beaucoup de problèmes et je ne demande pas aux gens d’aller s’inscrire parce que Elecam est bien… Non !

Mais nous avons besoin de nous inscrire afin de rentrer dans ce système, de surveiller Elecam, de contrôler Elecam, de s’assurer que Elecam travaille comme il se doit. Et on ne va pas le faire en restant à l’écart."

Please Cameroonian Youths! Lets vote!!! even with the fraudulent ELECAM! thats the only way to take a clear stand, let's free our consciences.

WE CAN LATER SAY "we tried"

[bah]

I THINK SHE CAN ACTUALLY BRING BACK SANITY TO THIS SICK NATION

[Manu]

It’s interesting how things are gearing up towards the presidential election? I see there is a lady standing up for the election- that could be hope!!! While reading stuffs about the elections coming up, this question came to my mind;
Why do we Africans live collectively (as individuals) with one another, care for each other- we tend to know our neighbours and their family. But the whites don’t live collectively- they don’t even know their neighbours (they don’t care to know).
Now, why is it that when the African individuals get to power they give a bullshit about their people, allow their people to suffer- where has that collective attitude gone to or the caring attitude?
On the other hand, when the whites get to power, they try their utmost best to help their people; they leave collectively or design a system to please everyone.
Where has that caring attitude we Africans have gone to when we get to power or take authority???

[TEX]

DOROTHEEE DJEUMA

[orangedude]

Dorothy Njeuma

[Henry Ekobi]

THE ENEMY OF CAMEROON IS NOT PAUL BIYA, INFACT PAUL BIYA HAS DONE A VERY VERY GOOD JOB SINCE 1982 TO PRESENT UNDER THE EXISTING SYSTEM OF GOVERNANCE IN WHICH A PRESIDENT HAS 100% OF THE POWER. THIS MEANS THE PRESIDENT CAN ELECT TO DO THE MOST GOOD OR THE MOST EVIL THINGS AS HE/SHE LIKE. THE NO.1 ENEMY OF CAMEROON IS THE SYSTEM WHICH I CALL, THE COLONIAL SYSTEM OF GOVERNANCE. WE NEED TO SIT DOWN AND DRAW UP A BRAND NEW SYSTEM EVEN IF BIYA WINS AND CONTINUES AS PRESIDENT UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM. IN USA, IF OBAMA STEALS $100 OF GOVRNMRNT MONIES, THE SYSTEM WILL FIRE HIM FROM HIS JOB AND TRIAL HIM THEN PRISON. IN THE CAMEROON SYSTEM, THE TREASURY IS AS GOOD AS THE PRESIDENT PRIVATE ACCOUNT. HE CREATS UNIVERSITY, HIS WORDS CREATS OVERNITE JOBS, EXAMPLE 25000 NEW JOBS. THE-SYSTEM-MUST-GO

[Henry Ekobi]

THE ENEMY OF CAMEROON IS NOT PAUL BIYA, INFACT PAUL BIYA HAS DONE A VERY VERY GOOD JOB SINCE 1982 TILL THE PESENT UNDER THE "EXISTING SYSTEM OF GOVERNANCE" IN WHICH A PRESIDENT HAS 100% OF THE POWERS. THIS MEANS THE PRESIDENT CAN ELECT TO DO THE MOST GOOD OR THE MOST EVIL THINGS AS HE/SHE LIKES INSTEAD OF AS DICTATED BY DEMOCRATICALLY MADE LAWS BY AN INDEPENDENTLY ELECTED PALIAMENT. THE NO.1 ENEMY OF CAMEROON IS THEREFORE " THE EXISTING SYSTEM " WHICH I CALL, THE COLONIAL-SYSTEM-OF-GOVERNANCE DESIGNED DURING COLONIALISM AND NOW PARIS HAS SIMPLY BEEN REPLACED WITH AUTOCRATES, OR SHOULD I SAY THE SYSTEM MAKES DICTATORS OUT OF GOOD PEOPLE. PAUL BIYA IS A GOOD MAN WHO IS JUST A VICTIM OF THE SYSTEM. HE HAS DONE A GOOD JOB. COUNTRIES LIKE SOMALIA, WOULD BE VERY HAPPY TO HAVE A PRESIDINT LIKE PAUL BIYA EVEN FOR 10,000 YEARS. IN SOMALIA, SOMALIA IS A FAILED STATE, NO FARMS NO SCHOOLS, NO MARKETS, NO SECURITY AT UR DAMAGED HOUSE THE STREETS ARE LOADED WITH PEOPLE CARRYING GUNS, THE SO CALLED GOVERNMENT THERE CAN ONLY CONTROL THE QUARTER WHERE IT IS SITUATED. WE NEED TO SIT DOWN AND DRAW UP A BRAND NEW SYSTEM EVEN IF BIYA WINS AND CONTINUES AS PRESIDENT UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM. IN USA, IF OBAMA STEALS $100 OF GOVRNMRNT MONIES, THE SYSTEM WILL FIRE HIM FROM HIS JOB AND TRIAL HIM THEN PRISON. IN THE CAMEROON SYSTEM, THE TREASURY IS AS GOOD AS THE PRESIDENT PRIVATE ACCOUNT. HE CREATS UNIVERSITY, HIS WORDS CREATS OVERNITE JOBS, EXAMPLE 25000 NEW JOBS. THE-SYSTEM-MUST-GO . LET PEOPLE ELECT THEIR DO AND GOVERNORS, DIVISIONS AND PROVINCE SHOULD HAVE THEIR OWN INDEPENDENTLY TRAINNED POLICE, PRISONS, COURTS EVEN DIVISIONAL AND PROVINCIAL SUPREME COURTS, COLLECT THEIR OWN TAXES, OPEN NES UNIVERSITIES AS THEY SEE FIT.

[slimmer]

Henry old boy. Na craze people di write with capital letters. You be craze man or you be craze stooge? Kiss Kiss Biya arse fit make person craze, so reduce your dose.

[AFGHAN WIZARD]

all i can tell biya is,if u are wise then don,t allow what has happened to ,MUBARAK,GBABO,ALI of TUNISIA and Ghadafi,i can promise him for sure that his own life stand uncertain if he thinks he can ever rule Cameroonians again, we cameroonians have decided to be a LION for a day than to be sheep forever, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH,HITLER and MUSOLLINI tried what u are doing now, but where are they,u know how they ended up, even it means becaming REBELS to see u off, we won,t give a second thought about it,SHIT,

[Prof. Pierre Coupet]

Help Make a Peaceful and Prosperous Nation
by Prof. Pierre Coupet

28 years in power is a very long time. This in turn always breeds a lot of stagnation, resentment and animosity.

It's always best to turn over the reigns of power to a new generation after a reasonable period of time. This helps to invigorate the country and inject new blood, insights and dynamism into the process of governance.

However, that being said, this does not mean that the previous leaders should retire into the sunset. Instead, they should become part of a revered Council of Elders that the younger generation can always turn to for advice when needed. These Elders should now enjoy their new freedom and revered status as their country's Honorary Ambassadors by writing books, traveling around the globe and spreading good will and a message of hope and optimism about their country, and inviting the global community to visit and invest in their country.

Staying in power through all necessary means, including massive and widespread corruption and manipulation of the democratic and electoral process, until you're either thrown out by popular revolt, armed coup, or some form of mutiny is a disgrace and a lack of foresight by current leaders, not just from Africa but practically from all over the world, who find irresistible the urge to stay in power as long as they continue to breathe.

There is no need to demonize Paul Abiya and to disregard the value of his public service over the last 28 years, however, that being said, I believe he should rethink his decision to participate in the 2011 presidential contest, step aside for the good of Cameroon and truly and honestly let the people of Cameroon choose their new leader, and make HISTORY by becoming Cameroon's first member of the Council of Elders and joining the rank of Africa's only beloved Elder Statesman, Nelson Mandela - the only current member of Africa's Council of Elders.

[Prof. Pierre Coupet]

Such a woman does exist. Her name is Rameline Kamga. She is well known throughout Central Africa and in the United States.

She has strong connections with the Congressional Black Caucus in the United States, a very powerful group of congress men and women in the United States Congress, having worked with these members in order to help pass The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) which was signed into law on May 18, 2000 in both houses of the United States Congress.

As well, she has the support of other highly influential individuals, groups, and businesses in the United States.

I welcome her candidacy and would heartily support her should she choose to run for the presidency of Cameroon.

Prof. Pierre Coupet
Founder, Chairman, CEO &
Doctor of Virtual Organization Management
Virtual Organization Management Institute

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