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Thursday, May 24, 2012

SDF at 22:Dividends, Expectations of the SDF revolution

Felix Teche Nyamusa looking into the past for the future


  Forcefully launched 26th May 1990 despite the butchering of six militants by the Biya anti-democracy regime, the Social Democratic Front, SDF today stands at crossroads with the none-provision of a sound electoral code. She has however caused irreversible changes in Cameroon .
          Paul Biya, president of Cameroon (for over 30 years) cum the ruling CPDM party and fans argued vehemently prior the 1990s that Cameroon was not ripe for multiparty democracy. They marched on the country’s major streets denouncing plural party politics as called for by the opposition. Their absurd doctrine despite records and witnesses to the practice of multiparty by Cameroonians before and at independence in the 1960s!  However Cameroon opposition’s crusade for alteration and the strength of global pro-democracy wind of change disfavoring dictatorship triumphed and arm twisted the powers that be to accept multiparty. The dividends of plural party practice here are enormous:
          After the thorny insistent start of the SDF party by John Fru Ndi and Cameroonians thirsty for positive change, the regime yielded to multiparty practice but, in a bid to down play the importance of opposition parties, opened wide the gates for political parties’ registration. Consequently hundreds of political parties have been legalized in the country today. The registration conditions are no more as stringent as there were for the SDF.
          Following the launch of SDF and the accompany euphoria for change, the hitherto timid media landscape widened – many print and electronic media houses created – though many with substandard work tools and conditions. Civil society organizations have blossomed and continue to grow in strength and number.
          Competitive vibrant local government units or councils now exist unlike the laissez-faire that existed in the one party system .Today municipal and rural councils irrespective of political party affiliation compete in what they offer their respective constituents
          The SDF revolution pricked Cameroonians to question the depth of their freedom. Cameroonians on exile returned home and some even got involved in active politics.   
          Today we have many conventional universities unlike the prevalence of pale diploma awarding narrow content higher institutions whose qualification are not meant to be recognized beyond Cameroon .   These and more including the psyche of Cameroonians has changed significantly. This feat however was not achieved paying less than the maximum price -maiming, killing, starving etc. Informed by the seemingly unending opposition literature, the expectations of Cameroonians for good life rises by the day!
           Many were those who thought apartheid in South Africa was not to end: Mandela 27years incarceration. ANC revolution span above 100years. The Obama change came after years of civil rights struggle (especially the marginalized minorities) in the USA . Resistance in Cameroon against injustice and foreign domination predates the Balis in the North west region,the Doualas of littoral, and that of North Cameroon to mention just these few. The UPC struggle for independence prior the 1960s and of course the ongoing SDF revolution and that of other opposition parties as well as civil society organizations points to a potential freedom resolve in Cameroonians. The electoral code and constitutional change is what the SDF and goodwill Cameroonians are presently on now. Any other wrangling(s) will likely be diversion and deceit. After 22 years of struggle SDF remains resolute, with a wide gap above her adversaries, to bring real change to Cameroon . Her programs are sluggishly piecemeal adopted by the CPDM regime.
Judging from the prevailing political ambiance in the country and the globe, Cameroonians likely will not accept this snail-pace development posture of the regime in place. 




When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

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