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.
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