ELECTIONS-FRAUD-PEACE: The Cameroon Blend

By Roland Abeng - Barrister at Law
The stage had long been prepared for the outcome of the October 9th presidential elections in Cameroon.  The Law creating Elections Cameroon and its subsequent modifications which diluted the powers of the institution; the 2008 constitutional amendment removing presidential mandate limits; and, of course, the “PEOPLE’S CALL” for president Biya to stand as candidate for the elections are just some of the acts that helped seal the outcome of the October 9th event.

Comments

[limbekid]

Barrister Abeng wrote,
`...current opinion polls show that 7 out of every 10 Cameroonians prefer the "BIYA EVIL" for the time being than go to the streets in protest. The question is "FOR HOW LONG"?`

I don`t think Cameroonians "prefer" the current dispensation, (even for the time being); I think they "tolerate" it.

It is tolerance borne out of maturity, experience, helplessness and disappointment.

The new word in the African vocabulary these days is "revolution". Everyone is asking, "when is our turn?". I ask myself, "haven`t we been there before?" The truth is, Africa`s modern history is replete with failed revolutions: in Cameroon, Ahidjo`s departure was accompanied by euphoria, today we`re stuck with Biya in his 29th year of rulership; next door in the CAR we used to experience the spectacle of "Emperor" Bokassa, until his demise in 1979. Today he has been rehabilitated to the point where his son serves as a minister in the current cabinet; Ivorians couldn`t wait to see the back of Houphouet Boigny. After a series of failed goverments they now speak nolstagically of the good old days of "Papa Houphouet"; Idi Amin`s demise was hailed as the beginning of a new era for Uganda; they`re now left with Musseveni in his 25th year ; Abdoulaye Wade, once the eternal "opposant" of Senegal finally got his chance on the throne, and today his son is super-minister... The list is too long to recount, but the point is: Africans can no longer be blamed for apathy, if the result of sacrifice only leads to a feeling of deja-vu.

The question at the moment is one of revolution vs evolution? I think the latter will have to accompany the former, and Africans will have to brace themselves for a rather long journey in the quest for democracy. In my opinion the main determinants of future political transformation, will be the following;

- new media
- an active diaspora
- and economic progress, spurred by what some have termed "the China factor"

[limbekid]

Violence breaks out after Tunisia elections:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15488077

Revolution or evolution? Thats the question.

[Elias langa]

Fellow comrade, why scintillating? can you legitimize your assertions with a common course and stop being socratic, concede to your dogma and be wrest assured the revolution is forthcoming. Its almost the end of Paulian Empire. Get this inspirationa quote by Martin Luther king Jr "If a man hasn't discovered something that he will die for, he isn't fit to live", have you one? "Man is man because he is free to operate within the framework of his destiny. He is free to deliberate, to make decisions, and to
choose between alternatives. He is distinguished from animals by his freedom to do evil or to do good and to walk the high road
of beauty or tread the low road of ugly degeneracy". the flesh is too feeble for a spiritual strugle requiring corporal effort.
STAND FOR CHANGE OR, you can lead the struggle,mustnt be politicaly multivated.
thank you

[limbekid]

Mr Langa,

rest assured, I won`t stand in the way of anyone`s revolution.