Last Minute Gossips from Buea: A Must Read

Country people, I hope you have heard the latest. Popol and Chantou left the former capital of the Southern Cameroon for Ngola after five nights. You know Popol said that Buea has always been close to his heart and not in his heart. Before leaving for Ngola, Popol received almost everybody. The MPs of the South West led by the Vice President of the National Assembly Hon. Lifaka, traditional rulers of the South West headed by Senator Fon Fontem, the shaking-spear mayor of Buea council, the SDOs of South West headed by Governor Okala and a delegation of the CPDM militants as usual. I saw some of them arguing over ngombo. Popol said nay to the North West boot-lickers who were still in Buea. Don’t ask me why the second tete-a-tete between Popol-John Ntarinkon could not take place as announced by your Writam-pen. John Ntarinkon was annoyed by the fact that Popol transformed the reunification celebration into a CPMD rally. So he decided to abandon his former friend reasons why he left immediately after the march-past. I hear the man and his delegation refused take part in item 11.John Ntarinkon was very bitter that instead of portraying the effigies of reunification heroes, all the songs, slogans and effigies were those of Popol. He even whispered to your Writam-pen that it is a pity that Popol could even promise the people of the Southwest a culvert. Don’t be surprise to hear that John Ntarinkon will over SCNC. If it happens then Popol will only have himself to blame because John Ntarinkon has been very patient all this while. I saw sadness on the foreheads of almost all Southwesterners. One traditional ruler just hinted me that Popol’s coming has instead spit South West. According to the hint people are now divided into four factions, the pro-Inoni, SCNC and pro-Popol. This is really a serious issue. I know you should be asking question about the much talked about PHD Popol was to grab from UB. The man sensed danger and turned down the offer. He wanted the issue to remain a secret. The VC is on a hot seat. And that she has just announced the UB graduation ceremony for March 22. I hope Popol will not knock his head before that day. As for Paddy, I hear he plunged into boosing as soon as Popol left.

His new name now is Mr. Everybody. You remember how he dashed the entire region into the gutter. Can you imagine that Paddy had the lone opportunity to present to Popol the sufferings of the entire South West and he dashed everything? Instead of talking about the Kumba-Mamfe road, the Limbe Deep Seaport and others, Paddy spent his time shaking over a piece of paper like Shakespeare and ended up asking Popol only to upgrade Buea council into a city council. The Ngola cronies of Popol dealt with him. In fact, I am sure that this guy was handpicked. Remember late Jumua Pefok, the Government Delegate to the defunct Bamenda Urban Council had that same opportunity and he used it wisely. He accepted a speech from Popol’s cronies when Popol was coming to Abakwa but when the moment came for him to present his speech; he removed one from his pocket and told Popol the truth about the Bamenda man. What happened next was that he was sacked from office but he lived and died as a true patriotic man. The Bamenda man will never forget late Pefok. I am sure if you ask Paddy’s name to many Southwesterners they would prefer not to call it. I saw what power can do in Buea. Kai walai!! Do you know that some people made billions of FCFA in Buea? I got a hint how at the Parliamentary Flat and Mountain hotel appointments were being sold like pieces of bread. Scammers scammed them well. Anyway it is stolen money.
I hear that some SCNC activists will send a motion of congratulation to Popol for rehabilitating their Presidency. Your Writam-pen also gathered that in the few days, except others SCNC will make public its government and that all ministers including the President must be residence in Southern Cameroons territory. 

RIP Charles Ateba Eyene. Where are all the young men going to? The other day it was Pappy Ndoumbe and now it is Charles Ateba Eyene. I am certain that someone is responsible-oooh. As I was putting this piece on paper while in the car, a friend of mine tweetted me the last tweet by Charles Ateba Eyene. If you have not read it, better read it. That one is more than the Marafaleaks. Oh what is this world so cruel na? I hope you know the White man Mayor. The former mayor of Ako Council Emimi Emmanuel Ekwe another personal friend is no more. He kicked the bucket yesterday. He worked in the Nigerian Army, then latter Cameroon Army, upon retirement; he worked with the United Nations and had a second retirement before he was voted mayor of Ako. He served the Ako council for two consecutive mandates from 2004-2013. 

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

50th Anniversary of Reunification: Groundbreaking Celebrations in Nkambe

By Haruna Mohammadou

Ngone Ndodemesape Bernard

Ngone Ndodemesape Bernard, the Senior Divisional Officer for Donga Mantung Division was the presiding officer. The celebration started with a live projection of President Biya’s speech and was immediately followed by march-past led by the military. Over 20 primary schools and 12 colleges as well as professional institutions participated. Some political parties also participated in the march-past as well as those who were born in 1961 when the Plebiscite took place. In songs and slogans, the pupils and students poured praises on President Paul Biya. However, the only pathetic thing was that no slogan, song and or no picture the heroes like JT Ndzi, Fon Michael, others was exhibited for the youth to know the heroes who fought for independence and reunification. Echoes from Nwa, Ako, Misaje and Ndu also indicated that the ceremony was hitch-free. Talking to journalists at the end of the ceremony, the SDO for Donga Mantung expressed gratitude to the population, traditional rulers, religious groups and clergies for their massive turn out. According to Ngone Ndodemesape Bernard, the massive turn out was a clear testimony of the fact that everyone is in support of a one and indivisible Cameroon. Harping on the importance of national integration, the SDO summed up that “unity is strength”.

On his part the former mayor of Nkambe, Mangoh Jones Tanko who doubles as a historian told this reporter that history is all about facts. According to Mangoh Jones Tanko, the reunification speech by the head of state did not talk much about the history of La Republique nor the Southern Cameroons. “I was also waiting for President Biya to address the Anglophone problem but he did not”. He said he is hoping that after this celebration President Biya will see into it that Anglophones are appointed to head ministries like Defence, Agriculture, Education, Finance etc which for the past 53 years no Anglophone has been appointed to any.  

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

Southern Cameroons Independence Recognized

By Ayah Paul

The President of la Republique du Cameroun told the world on December 31, 2009, that the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Independence of la Republique du Cameroun was “a prelude” to the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of “Reunification”. Otherwise put, the main event was the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of “Reunification”. 

We tell no tale that some ten foreign heads of state attended the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Independence of la Republique du Cameroun. That event being a mere “curtain raiser”, (a prelude, if that is preferable), it goes without saying that the presence of a bigger number of foreign heads of state at the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of “Reunification” would be as of course. But what was the reality on the ground when the day did come? 

Not only did not even a single foreign head of state attend the said celebration, but even a single junior member of staff of any one international organization did not attend. And apart from a handful of junior members of staff of an insignificant number of foreign embassies who were in Buea, perhaps, for sight-seeing or out of curiosity, foreign ambassadors boycotted the event in a manner most telling. The reasons are clear and unambiguous!

It would be remembered that Southern Cameroonian leaders did serve a letter on virtually all embassies in Yaounde, the Capital of la Republique du Cameroun, and on international organizations worldwide, urging them not to attend the fictitious occasion on their land. The letter was thorough that Southern Cameroons is a contiguous country to la Republique du Cameroun; and that the leader of that country had no jurisdiction over their land. In keeping with that letter and in recognition that southern Cameroons is a country in its own right, foreign heads of state have boycotted the event just as much as international organizations that were duly notified.

All that is now left for Southern Cameroonian leaders to do expeditiously is to form a government and consolidate the recognition so peacefully and legally acquired! They may wish to take note that no moment can ever be more propitious! What transpired during the “event” is not any less telling!

The few misguided Southern Cameroonians who, with avidity for food and drink, attended the occasion, are exceedingly furious, smarting from their mistreatment of having been lodged in dusty classrooms without beds, water, toilets, food or drinks instead of the three-star hotels promised them. Nor are they any less trembling with anger that the money promised them did truly cascade freely down like manna from heaven before their own eyes, only to mysteriously and miraculously land on the highest rung down to the rung where mayors did spread impermeable nets horizontally from Lake Chad to the sea, and from the east side of the “triangle” to the west side, without more. 

Above all, confounded by their own baby-demons, the repressive organizers of the occasion shut down all eating houses, all bakeries, all bars, in short, all business premises, all day, unleashing excruciating hunger and thirst on the commoners! By Jove! “See me Lakayana with my spear”! Where was even water? … And to crown it all, all taxis were grounded! No water; no food; no beer from Brasseries do Cameroun; no means of transport!

Mr and Mrs. Southern Cameroons! No sleep again oh! Remember late Nico Mbarga him record: “Opportunity comes but once, in this wold, iyeeeeeeeeh”!

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

Njoh Mola Litumbe Exposes 7 Facts that Make Reunification Disputable

1. It is common knowledge that La Republique du Cameroun and Southern Cameroons were two distinct territories, otherwise there would have been no question of the UN conducting a plebiscite on 11 Feb. 1961 in Southern Cameroons to ask the People of Southern Cameroons if they wished to associate with either Nigeria or La Republique du Cameroun.

2. The governing constitutional/statutory law for states that are members of the UN is the UN Charter. This contains clear provisions in Art 102 on the prescribed procedure to be followed if a member state of the UN wishes to join another territory

3.La Republique du Cameroun was admitted a member state of the UN on 20th Sept1960 and from that date it became bound by the provisions contained in the Constitution (Charter) of the United Nations. Consequently, for any joining with another territory to be legal, LRC had to conform with the statutory provisions of the Charter, in Art. 102. Failure to comply with the provisions in Art 102(1) attracts the penalty in Art. 102(2) which renders such alleged joining unconstitutional..

4. To argue, as some misguided proponents say, that an association of a UN member state with another territory could be deemed valid, is to say that while the constitution of a country defines the prescriptions to establish a marriage, parties who cohabit without going through the statutory and legal STEPS toconstruct a legal marriage, could be deemed nevertheless to be “married.” The statute would first have to be amended, to permit of such an interpretation.

5. The provision of Art.102 in the UN Charter has not altered over time, and it is therefore safe to say that if La Republique du Cameroun, which is a member state of the UN, desires to legally unite with Southern Cameroons, the appropriate statutory steps prescribed by statute must first be performed.

6. The solution to the present impasse is for La Republique du Cameroun to engage the People of Southern Cameroons to agree on mutually acceptable terms of association, under the auspices of the African Union/United Nations, sign an Agreement to that effect and file it at the Secretariat of the United Nations. If the parties have been living together in harmony, there should be no great difficulty in reaching an Agreement. If however they fail to reach agreement, they should revert peacefully to their respective positions.

7. Until the parties go through this motion, a celebration of “Re-unification” is a contradiction in terms and, at best, a terminological in-exactitude.

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

Speech of the Head of State, Paul Biya at Reunification Celebration in Buea

•The President of the Senate,

 •The President of the National Assembly,

•Prime Minister Head of Government,

•The President of the Supreme Court,

•Heads of Diplomatic Missions and Representatives of International Organisations,

•My dear compatriots,  

•Ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to thank the Mayor of Buea for the warm words of welcome addressed to my wife and me.

I wish to extend my warm greetings to the dynamic people of the South-West region who have come out in such great numbers, from Fako, from Kupe Manenguba, from Lebialem, from Manyu, from Meme and from Ndian to welcome my wife and me on this great occasion. As you all know, the South-West region has always been very close to my heart.

I also thank you all who have come from the other regions of the country, from the Adamawa, from the Centre, from the East, from the Far-North, from the Littoral, from the North, from the North-West, from the South and from the West. Your massive presence here today is testimony not only of our unity in diversity, but also of the importance you attach to the Reunification of our country.

I have not forgotten our friends, the members of the diplomatic corps and the representatives of International Organisations, who have come to attend this important ceremony. I thank them immensely for their participation and support.

At the beginning of this commemorative ceremony, I would like to express our great appreciation to the United Nations and to friendly countries who have worked with us for the independence and reunification of Cameroon.

I also want to thank all our external partners whose support to our development efforts, over the past fifty years, remained constant. We know we can continue to rely on their friendship, for the future.

•Fellow compatriots,  

•Ladies and gentlemen,

At long last, here we are in Buea ! Here we are in Buea to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of our Reunification. As the English people say, BETTER LATE THAN NEVER. In fact, after a long period of preparation, we are finally glad to be here in this historic town of Buea, the town of LEGENDARY HOSPITALITY. I am glad to be in Buea, the bedrock of our Reunification. History has not forgotten that Buea was the headquarters of West Cameroon. History has not forgotten that Buea was the capital of Southern Cameroons. And history has not forgotten that Buea was once the capital of German Cameroon. That is why I say that Buea is a historic town.

I am proud, very proud to be in Buea, proud to walk on the same soil like our heroes who fought for Reunification.

I have been to Buea several times. Today I can see that Buea has changed a great deal. I hope that you are also of the same opinion. I hope that you too see the same things I see. There is no doubt that Buea is now a befitting capital for the South-West region. A lot of work has been carried out here. It is my wish that other regional headquarters look as beautiful as Buea.

•Mes chers compatriotes,  

•Mesdames et Messieurs,

Pendant le cycle des festivités des Cinquantenaires, nous avons revisité notre histoire ; nous l’avons fait  découvrir aux jeunes générations. 

Notre jeunesse a pu ainsi faire la connaissance des hommes et des femmes qui ont écrit les pages glorieuses du Cameroun. Elle a pu constater ô combien il est difficile de fonder une nation, de rassembler un peuple et de faire son unité. 

Car, en ce 1er octobre 1961, après plus de quarante ans de séparation, les Camerounais des deux rives du Moungo se sont retrouvés. 

La marche vers la réunification fut une odyssée qui n’était pas sans risques. Ce fut un chemin parsemé d’épreuves, de délicates négociations pour notre jeune diplomatie, et quelque fois d’oppositions internes qu’il fallait prendre en compte. Notre unité nationale n’a vu le jour que grâce au courage, à la volonté, à l’audace et à la sagesse de Camerounaises et de Camerounais de conviction, qui avaient foi en leur peuple et en leur capacité à prendre en main son destin.

Nous tenons aujourd’hui à rendre un vibrant hommage à ces dignes fils et filles du Cameroun dont le nationalisme a conduit à l’indépendance et à la réunification de notre Patrie.

Nous pensons à ces compatriotes qui, en signant le traité de protectorat, ont refusé d’aliéner l’essentiel, c’est-à-dire la terre de nos ancêtres. Cette volonté de défendre le patrimoine du Cameroun continue de nous habiter de nos jours notamment à travers nos vaillantes forces armées. Elles n’hésitent pas à sacrifier leurs vies pour la sécurité de nos frontières.

Nous pensons également à nos représentants qui ont plaidé avec acharnement le dossier de notre réunification auprès de la Société des Nations d’abord, de l’Organisation des Nations Unies ensuite.  Nous sommes restés fidèles à cette tradition de recours aux organisations internationales pour faire triompher nos revendications légitimes. Cette attitude résolue mais pacifique, nous l’avons adoptée lorsqu’il s’est agi de rétablir la souveraineté camerounaise  sur la presqu’île de Bakassi.

Les étudiants de l’Ecole Normale de Foulassi, auteurs de ce chant de ralliement devenu notre hymne national dont nous sommes si fiers aujourd’hui, méritent d’être cités en exemple. Il en est de même de ces étudiants de la diaspora qui, en leur temps, ont apporté une contribution majeure dans la restauration de notre unité d’antan.

Nous célébrons aujourd’hui la mémoire, dans le recueillement et avec reconnaissance, de nos héros nationaux. Nous associons à cet hommage les participants à la Conférence Constitutionnelle de Foumban  qui se déroula du 16 au 21 juillet 1961.

Nous les remercions tous au nom de la Nation tout entière pour leur vaillance, pour leurs sacrifices, pour leur abnégation. Ils nous ont légué un Cameroun devenu Un et Indivisible. En ce jour exceptionnel, nous nous devons d’avoir, à leur égard, une pensée émue, mêlée d’un sentiment de profonde gratitude. 

Aujourd’hui plus qu’hier, nous leur disons que nous tenons indéfectiblement à l’unité nationale qu’ils nous ont léguée, que nous préserverons notre souveraineté qu’ils ont conquise et notre indépendance qu’ils ont payée quelque fois au prix de leur sang. Nous exhortons notre jeunesse à être fière de l’histoire de notre pays. Nous lui demandons de perpétuer, avec ferveur, la mémoire de nos héros nationaux et de célébrer les évènements fondateurs de notre pays. Il n’y a pas de grand peuple sans mémoire du passé.

•Camerounaises, Camerounais,

 Le 1er octobre 1961 est un jour historique. Un jour de grand bonheur pour tous les Camerounais. Après 42 ans d’incertitudes et de vicissitudes, des frères, longtemps séparés, qui n’ont jamais cessé de se rechercher, se trouvent enfin réunis… et réunis pour toujours.

Le 1er octobre 1961, jour de la Renaissance du grand Cameroun, est un jour de gloire immense pour notre pays.

•Mes chers compatriotes, 

•Mesdames et Messieurs,

Qu’avons-nous fait durant ces cinquante dernières années ? Nous nous sommes attelés à construire peu à peu dans l’unité cette nation camerounaise tant désirée. Mais il faut se souvenir qu’au lendemain de notre indépendance et de notre réunification, des oiseaux de mauvais augure prédisaient notre échec. Certains allaient jusqu’à dire que le Cameroun sombrerait dans le chaos.

Et de fait, durant les cinquante premières années, nous n’avons pas eu la vie facile. A une douloureuse guerre civile a succédé une sévère crise économique. Tout au long de ces épreuves, le peuple camerounais a fait montre d’un courage exceptionnel et a déjoué tous les pronostics pessimistes. Il a travaillé pour construire patiemment, dans l’unité et la paix, cette nation camerounaise dont nous sommes si fiers. Il s’est efforcé de rattraper les retards et de réparer les injustices accumulées pendant la colonisation.

S’il va de soi que nous avons un devoir de mémoire,  nous avons aussi une obligation de vérité. Le devoir de mémoire ne saurait avoir de valeur ni exister, sans l’obligation de vérité.

Construire la nation camerounaise, c’était permettre à chacun de recevoir une éducation assurant l’égalité des chances. Au moment de l’indépendance et de la réunification, c’est-à-dire, après soixante dix ans d’occupation étrangère, 3% des Camerounais étaient scolarisés ; il n’y avait     pas      une      seule       université. 

Aujourd’hui, notre taux de scolarisation, selon l’UNICEF, est de 90%. Nous avons  construit 15123 écoles primaires, 2413 collèges et lycées.  Et aujourd’hui nous avons bâti huit universités d’Etat réparties à travers le territoire national.

Construire la nation camerounaise, c’était donner à tous l’accès aux services de santé. Au moment de l’indépendance et de la réunification, on comptait au total 555 formations sanitaires. A ce jour, nous disposons de 2260 formations sanitaires publiques dont 4 hôpitaux généraux, 3 hôpitaux centraux, 14 hôpitaux régionaux, 164 hôpitaux de district, 155 centres médicaux d’arrondissement et 1920 centres de santé intégrés. Je note en passant que l’espérance de vie qui était de 40 ans en 1960 est passée à 52 ans actuellement.

Construire la nation camerounaise, c’était désenclaver le pays et l’ouvrir vers l’extérieur. A l’indépendance et à la réunification, notre réseau routier comportait 621 km de voies bitumées. Aujourd’hui, le peuple camerounais dispose de 250 000 km de routes dont près de 5200 km bitumées, de 21 aéroports dont 4 internationaux, d’un  port fluvial et de trois ports maritimes. Le port de Douala est  le plus important de la CEMAC. 

Construire la nation camerounaise, c’était créer des richesses et  de l’emploi. L’Etat camerounais est le plus important employeur de notre pays. Il a favorisé le développement d’un secteur privé dynamique. Des hommes et des femmes de talent ont créé des centaines d’entreprises, générant des emplois et produisant de la richesse. Le niveau de vie de nos concitoyens s’en est trouvé sensiblement amélioré. 

Construire la nation camerounaise, c’était aussi industrialiser le pays. Nous sommes passés à la deuxième phase de notre industrialisation. Avec le développement de notre capacité énergétique en cours, nous allons pouvoir transformer nos matières premières d’origine agricole, minière et à partir de nos gisements d’hydrocarbures jeter les bases d’une industrie chimique. Parallèlement, nous continuerons à développer notre industrie de l’aluminium et à utiliser le gaz comme source d’énergie pour nos usines.

Nous avons prouvé ainsi, que nous sommes capables de sortir de l’économie de traite où nous avons été longtemps confinés.

Construire la nation camerounaise, c’était également créer un véritable Etat souverain. Nous avons fait d’un État embryonnaire un véritable État démocratique, avec des institutions modernes qui fonctionnent, une Assemblée, un Sénat, un Conseil Constitutionnel bientôt en place. Nous avons mis en place une justice et une administration sur toute l’étendue du territoire et bâti des forces de sécurité fortes capables de se déployer pour garantir notre intégrité territoriale. 

•Mes chers compatriotes, 

•Mesdames et Messieurs,

Notre Unité Nationale a été à la base de cette exceptionnelle réussite. Elle est l’ossature autour de laquelle s’articulent les organes de notre société. Elle se confond avec l’existence même de notre peuple. J’en appelle donc à tous nos concitoyens, tout particulièrement à nos jeunes,  à veiller jalousement sur elle,  pour que jamais elle ne s’altère. 

Je leur demande d’éviter  le piège tendu par certaines forces centrifuges régionales, tribales ou religieuses qui peuvent  compromettre la cohésion nationale. 

•Chers compatriotes, 

•Mesdames et Messieurs, 

Lorsque nous parlons d’Unité Nationale, nous ne négligeons pas pour autant notre pluralisme linguistique et culturel. Notre diversité fait partie de notre identité. C’est elle qui permet au Cameroun de s’adapter plus facilement aux changements induits par la mondialisation, en particulier grâce au bilinguisme.

•Ladies and Gentlemen,

Three years ago, we launched the jubilee period with celebrations marking the fiftieth anniversary of our Independence. With the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of Reunification here in Buea where it took place, we will be closing this cycle which has helped us to revisit our history.

We have every reason to be proud of our Reunification and the best way of being worthy of it is to spare no effort to preserve our national unity. 

Long live Independence!

Long live Reunification!

Long live Cameroon! 

(I now invite you to join me in singing our National Anthem)

Buea, 20 February 2014

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

Governance/Transparency: EITI Puts Youth Leaders Behind Big Thieves

By Fai Cassian Ndi

A two-day inter-regional workshop aimed at empowering some 32 youth leaders of the North West, West and South West Regions on Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative –EITI has raised pertinent points on the corrupt practices in the oil, gas and mining sector which have become endemic. Participants expressed fear that the most outstanding challenge is not on the interpretation of EITI reports but on how youth pressure can control the use of revenue accrued from oil, gas and extraction in a country like Cameroon when figures are a taboo or when management of revenue and extraction is in the hands of the big thieves, mostly politicians and multi-internationals. Organized by Dynamique Mondiale des Jeunes-DMJ in collaboration with the World Bank, the Bamenda workshop is also geared to promote the rapid adoption and exploitation of the new EITI standard by young people so much so that they are able to make critical readings of EITI reports. Yet, some participants during the workshop expressed doubts whether they would ever have the opportunity to question, interpret and control the use of extraction revenues. This is so due to the fact that in Cameroon, nobody knows how many companies are carrying out explorations and not to talk of exploitation. More so, another worry also steamed from the fact that local government structures like councils hardly organize public hearings whereby youths could ask question on the management of resources. In the North West for example, BOCOM Exploration Company is currently carrying out iron ore exploration at Mayo-Binka (Nkambe Central) and Petroleum exploration in Mbembe (Ako Sub division) in Donga Mantung Division. Yet no youth leader from this part of the North West Region was present. From all indications, the Bamenda workshop was addressing a wrong audience.  The Eye is aware that in seeking solutions, EITI believes that all stakeholders have important and relevant contributions to make in order to encourage high standards of transparency and accountability in public life but this action can only be sustainable when the right targeted group is reached. Implicitly, the reason why local communities have no knowledge on the EITI abound high. However, the fact that its organizers couldn’t use the Cameroon National Youth Council that oversees the activities of youth groups in the North West Region speaks volume. A question which is hungry for answers is whether the organization didn’t fall into wrong hands. However, it should be recalled that Bamenda workshop is the second in the series of workshops that would be organized nationwide to build the capacity of youth leaders. Note should be taken that Cameroon joined the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative in March 2005 and was accepted as an EITI candidate country on September 27, 2007. It was on October 17, 2013 became a fully compliant member country. This is so due to the fact that Cameroon failed to validate its candidacy in October 2010 and February 2012. Since then, and in compliance with EITI process, Cameroon has published six conciliation reports of volumes and figures under the impetus of a Tripartite Monitoring Committee made up of representatives of the state, civil society and extraction companies. This initiative which seeks to promote good governance and transparency in the management of revenue from the exploitation of subsoil resources places a lot of emphasizes on criterion 1 of its Rules which states that: all significant payments made by companies to governments, in respect of oil, gas, and mining exploitation and all material revenues received by government from oil, gas and mining companies, are published and regularly disseminated to the public in an accessible, comprehensive and comprehensible form.

It should be recalled that before Cameroon became a member, information on the production of oil and gas was a highly classified. Only few state personalities were privy to it. 

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

Fru Ndi Lambastes Reunification, Says Biya Failed to Recognize It Heroes

By Fai Cassian Ndi

Ni John Fru Ndi, chairman of the leading opposition party in Cameroon has declared that there is no time for Cameroonians to continue to dream when everything around them is falling apart. According to Fru Ndi, President Biya's reunification speech was like a pack of disillusion that has shown the regime's inability to provide concrete solutions to basic problems of Cameroonians. SDF National Chairman made that declaration at the end of the civil and military parade yesterday in Buea . According to him , this celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Reunification has brought nothing to Cameroonians . After a critical and comparative study of the organizing committee SDF chairman questioned the number of Anglophones in it . To him, the SDF will not close their eyes because Anglophones are not happy. In a furious mode SDF chieftain said that normally the celebrations were suppose to have taken place in 2011. "We are celebrating 53 years of independence and reunification", he reiterated. Fru Ndi also discarded the speech by President Biya to the youth as another blatant empty promise. He wondered how Biya will create 250,000 jobs for young people in a year when his government is unable to industrialize the country since his accession to power in 1982 . He said what transpired during the celebrations in Buea is not enough to convince Cameroonians. "They are not fools" and these lies will no longer pass", he hammered.

He blasted the Reunification celebration as complete failure that will anger more Cameroonians. He decried how the Biya regime has destroyed its own very foundation. I was shocked that no photo of the real actors of this important moment in our history was present at the march-pass. "I saw no picture of President Ahidjo, or John Ngu Foncha , Muna or Endeley . What are we celebrating? he asked with a frown on his face. He wondered why Biya could not promise the entire South West the construction of a culvert at a point that they were expecting to get giant projects like the Limbe Deep Seaport and or the Kumba-Mamfe road. These, he said are signs of regime failure in meeting the aspiration of the people. 

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

Reunification Celebration: How Patrick Ekema, Mayor of Buea Dashed South West Hopes

By Fai Cassian Ndi

Patrick Ekema

Late Jumua Pefok, the former Government Delegate to the defunct Bamenda Urban council lived and died as a man of conscience and character. Late Jumua Pefok has remained in the minds of Northwesterners for telling President Paul Biya the truth about the region. When President Paul Biya visited Bamenda, the then Government Delegate to the Bamenda Urban council received a speech from the Yaounde cronies with instructions not to change any word. He accepted it, rehearsed it but when the moment came for him to present the speech, he pulled one from the pocket and told Biya in his face the truth. That was the first time that President Biya became conscious of the importance of the Bamenda Ring Road, the need for North West to have a state university and how the Menchum Fall could produce enough electricity. President Biya after listening to the Government delegate was oblige to react to the problems of the region raised. It came to passed that when President Biya visited Bamenda last December 2010, he dolled out meaningful development projects such as the tarring of the Bamenda Ring Road, the creation of the University of Bamenda and for studies to be carried out at the Menchum Fall to harness electricity.

Patrick Ekema, the mayor of Buea was given the same opportunity to tell Biya the realities about the South West Region but he dashed the hopes of the entire region into the gutter. Patrick Ekema had the opportunity to make a name but he fell into the trap of the Yaounde cronies. Tongues are waging in Buea over the speech presented by the mayor of Buea for the entire South West Region. The population of Buea and the entire South West region have expressed regrets over the choice of their mayor. To Makia Jonas, Patrick Ekema has sold his conscience. “I thought that he will tell President Biya about the poor road network in the region”, he lamented. Talking to this reporter, an influential traditional ruler name withheld was very bitter that Patrick Ekema was blinded by his vaulting ambitions of becoming the Government Delegate of the yet to be created Buea City Council to the point that he could not even talk of the Kumba-Mamfe road, the Limbe Deep Seaport etc. The germ of politics of the lie that has chopped the roots of humanity in the South West Region has reached its apex with the Patrick Ekema tagged as the Judas Iscariot of the region.

Patrick Ekema: The Judas Iscariot of the South West Region?

Biblically, the name Judas Iscariot symbolizes hypocrisy. That is why most parents, when choosing a name for their children or soon-to-be born child, seldom choose the name Judas or Iscariot.  When one is familiar with the biblical anecdote of Judas Iscariot, the reason for avoiding the name becomes understandable.

The Bible as earlier stated teaches us that Judas Iscariot was one of the Disciples of Jesus yet he remained committed to his own selfish plans and desires instead of following Jesus with all his heart. By thinking only about Buea, bookmakers say the mayor played Judas Iscariot just like the Biblical Judas Iscariot who walked so close to Jesus but missed the truth.  Impressionists have been apt to say that the act by the mayor of Buea shows how we can commit Judas’ same tragic act today if we are willing or not willing. The distortion to which some scholars’ yield, in desperate attempts to preserve cherished ideologies, is as amazing as it is disheartening. In trying to embalm the dogma of “once-saved, always-saved,” the disciples of Calvin have but two choices: they must contend that those described as lost were never saved, or allege that though the redeemed subject “fell,” the mishap did not involve the forfeiture of salvation. One popular preacher, John F. MacArthur Jr., argues that “while the others [the eleven] were growing into apostles, Judas was quietly becoming a vile, calculating tool of Satan. Whatever his character seemed to be at the beginning, his faith was not real (John 13:10-11). He was unregenerate”. And because of the one-for-all syndrome, the South West Region could not benefit from any Presidential largess. Even the Bible teaches us that “ask and it will be given”. Since nobody asked, nothing was given.  Buea will live to regret the absence of Senator Mbella Moki at the helm of the Buea council. 

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The President, The Crematorium, and Turkey Pardon

By Boh Herbert

Buea was bound to produce its surprises. Here is my list of the most intriguing ones so far, as read in reporting out of the foot of Mount Cameroon.

- Mrs. Anna Foncha could not travel from Bamenda to be in Buea because, as she told a local radio station, her invitation from the presidency was not delivered until the very last hour before the celebrations were due to open. The 91-year-old realized she could make it to Buea, but her health would take such a beating from the excellent roads the regime has tarred all across Southern Cameroons that she won’t have the strength to attend the celebrations.

- The reunification monument which is supposed to be the showpiece of the celebrations had hardly been unveiled for a full day than the good people of Southern Cameroons had given it a not-so-Christian name. The monument has appropriately been named the Crematorium. Talk of throwing a wish horse in hell fire!

- With time running out, the emperor is not yet seen as the star. Stealing the headlines is one of those SCNC vandals, Mola Njoh Litumbe, who has earned the only standing ovation not praising reunification, but for literally “spitting on the grave” of what he considers a farce of a reunification. 

- Freed of the obligation as a member of government to “Dimabola”, Professor Ephraim Ngwafor helped Njoh Litumbe to rob salt into the reunification wounds by pointing to the regime’s failure to respect Article 18 of its own Constitution.

- I guess you have to forgive Bishop Emeritus Lysinge for not expecting that use of the word “conversion” could leave such a bad taste in the ears of Southern Cameroonians. The pastor should re-read Exodus. Moses, he will find out, did not invite the Israeli people to conversion when asked to lead them out of slavery in Egypt into the Promised Land.

- Prime Minister Yang reportedly missed the best opportunity he has had so far to acknowledge that any reasonable government negotiates – if need be - with even armed insurrections, instead of blackmailing the civil society groups SCNC and SCAPO into conversion – here you go, Mgr. Lysinge – into political parties before any meaningful dialogue can be opened between them and La Republique. Never mind that La Republique engaged the same groups in an international court in Banjul, The Gambia!

- What is a celebration like this worth unless – in the absence of the ceremonial release of white doves to signify peace (of which the president apparently wants nothing) – the emperor chose instead to release a few jail birds? "All bird, nobi bird? Haabaa!" 

- How symbolic that the president came to the hometown of Ewukem’s Prisons Buea; that he came to the home of West Cameroon’s Prison Warden Training School; that he came to the hometown of the country’s best production prisons to sign a decree granting pardon and commutation of jail terms for certain privileged jail birds - some of them freed ostensibly "by order of the colonial master Hollande". Sorry, Chief Inoni. Not this time! Her Majesty the Queen of England has not spoken yet.

A few more words on this freedom for jailbird decree before I close:

- The decree teaches something some already knew: if you want to steal in Cameroon, heed the slogan is “chop broke pot”. Petty theft or petty corruption does not pay. You want proof? It is especially all the “grands katikas” – I mean all the “grands bandits” – those who have done the most harm to the country - that are walking free. The petty thieves and pickpockets neither have wings strong enough nor godfather's powerful enough to help them in their flight from jail.

- The decree proves - if ever there was still need for evidence - that those who have looted the public treasury will be free while citizens pay the price for daring to seek freedom! Remarkably, there will be no presidential pardon for those students of the University of Buea, who will continue to languish in jail for daring to protest against poor learning conditions or calling for an end to practices such as “sexually transmitted marks”. There will be no presidential pardon for SCNC/SCAPO members who are in jail for daring – many times, over all these past years, notably since 1990 - to celebrate the same illegality called reunification that Mr. Biya is visiting Buea at this moment to celebrate. There will be no amnesty for political prisoners, such as the writer Enow who is held at the Kondengui Prison for daring to run for president from a region whose votes are exclusively reserved for the emperor and whose supporters had the effrontery to embarrass the emperor durng one of his latest trips to Europe. 

- The decreee teachers that persons thrown in jail for committing even the most violent of crimes do not even have to have shown remorse to regain freedom. Apologies to all what the Buea Production Prison stands for. The UB students who appealed for clemency in writing will not walk out of jail. Despite being signed only a few days after celebrations marking the so-called Youth Day, the presidential pardon does not aim to release juvenile delinquents serving short sentences in jails across the country. 

Writing these lines got me wondering: is it possible that the president treats fellow Cameroonians in jail the same way the “lottery” system works when picking the turkey that is ultimately presented to the American President on each Thanksgiving Feast to receive presidential pardon at the White House? 

Don't get me wrong. Look - I want to see Chief Inoni free. I want the student leaders freed. I want SCNC members freed. I want political prisoners freed. But, I hate to even imagine that anyone - be he the president - thinks any of these Cameroonians is just another turkey.

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Live Gossips from Buea Reunification Celebration at Bongo Square

Can you imagine that your Writam-pen almost got buried in the crowd at the Bongo Square today morning? I was wondering in which language Popol was going to address Cameroonians. At last, he spoke in English. Let me tell you that it was good English and not slippery like his ministers. But the speech had no substance. Anyway history is history except otherwise. When Popol arrived at the Bongo Square, I observed that he decided to change his seat. Chantou sat on his right. It seems he did not want to chat with somebody. Or this is another innovation. This is just a signal that truly, Popol is determined to introduce the post of vice President.

In his speech he started by congratulating the people of the South West Region for the warm welcome given him and wife, Chantou. He said the South West Region has always being very close to his hearts. Trust Popol, he talked of the reunification of Cameroon without mentioning its architects like late President Ahmadou Ahidjo, Foncha, ST Muna, Endeley etc. Can we say that this was intentional? Popol in his speech thanked the United Nations and other friendly nations who worked for the independence and reunification of Cameroon. Like the heroes of reunification, Popol said he was glad to rewrite history by walking on the same soil the architects of independence walk on some 53 years ago. You know Popol knows how to flatter. I listened to him praising himself for changing the face of Buea. He said that the level of litercacy in Cameroon is about 90%. Can you imagine that Popol said that there are 12 airports and 4 International airports in Cameroon? And there are 2260 hospitals in the country. I told you that Popol is a good juggler; now he talks with statistics. I hope you heard what he said about Buea. Popol knows very well that Buea was the capital of Southern Cameroons, former capital of West Cameroon and today the capital of the South West Region. Yet Popol beat about the bush without addressing the issue at stake but finally confirmed that Southern Cameroons got its independence on February 11, 1961. So Popol wanted Cameroonians to sing which Anthem? Is this an attempt to colonize Southern Cameroons or to show the world that it is two separate nations with two different anthems ruled by one President. The Anglophone problem which has ignited secessionists tendencies were completely ignored in the speech. Surprisingly, Popol has again dribbled Cameroonians. It has been a tradition that everywhere he goes; he dishes out development projects. But it is not the case in Buea and the South West Region. Can we say that Southwesterners are not good at lobbying for development projects or Popol has changed his strategies? I am sure Abgor Tabi, Mengot, Philip Ngwesse and  co, the regime vuvuzelas would never be forgiven for not lobbying for projects as expected. I saw signs of disappointment on the faces of South West elite(s) when Biya concluded his speech without any Presidential largess. I hear mayor Patrick Ekema is on heat for not addressing the problems of the South West Region. The mayor of Buea was more concern with Buea. You heard what he said that even though Buea is the capital of South West Region, it is a sub Division. Buea is the only regional capital without a city council. Can you imagine that even though Buea is the capital of the South West Region, the Capital of Fako is Limbe? I just spotted the chiefs with scares on their faces. 

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Reunification Celebration Gossips: Undeclared State of Emergency in Buea

Country people I salute. Accept good morning greetings from Buea. Do not ask how is Buea today morning because i will not say anything. I hope you know that when Popol moves out of Ngola, the capital moves too. So i am actually enjoying the legendary hospitality of Buea, the city of versions. I am right now somewhere called Molyko enjoying the protection of Popol’s soldier. I thought that Bagdad was the only place where you meet soldiers on the street after every 10 meters, Buea this morning is more than Bagdad. I hear all the Buea pick-pockets trans-neared to Kumba  and Limbe due to the presence of the military. Do not ask me whether it is an undeclared state of emergency. It is for the security of Popol and his Special Guests...

A Presidential insider hinted your Writam-pen today morning that Popol may receive some special guests in Buea. Yet the no one knows who the special guests are.

Have you heard from Hon. Ayah Paul? The man says Buea is under military occupation. And that he is a victim of persecution by security agents but this doesn’t bother since he knows that the God he serves will continue to protect him.

Wonders they say shall never end. I spotted Hon. Njingum Musa (the MP who speaks in tongues) trying to organize a cultural fiesta. You know ever-since Nji Fidelis was booted out of Parliament, Njingum Musa stepped into his shoes as President of the Yaounde elite group. Do you know that these Yaounde based elite(s) are really a problem to the existence of the Bamenda. I am aware you heard Prof. Uphie Melo Chinje, the talking cricket over CTV, making noise. Who told them to organize a cultural fiesta in the South West? Yanki, is seemingly getting out of ideas. Ntumfor Nico Halle is not a new name. You know the talkative President of CMF, the peace-crusader who is on tree tops calling on all those who care to listen to be peaceful. I heard him this morning over ctv radio talking and claiming a lot of importance. C’est la fete, donc peace is necessary. I really doubt whether some of them have or may have not stumbled.

As you know the entire nation is looking towards Buea as Popol is expected to deliver a keynote address. I hope he will address the issue of Anglophone marginalization that has put to question the marriage between La Republique and the Southern Cameroons. I am saying so because yesterday he declared that these celebrations are intended to make Cameroon more united. I hope you are aware of the SCNC syndrome that is threatening the very foundation of a united and indivisible Cameroon. As you all know, Popo is not only a dribbler but he is a perfect juggler that can toss several balls at the same time and catches them without one dropping off his hand. You heard him giving the reason for the remittance of prison terms. I told you that Popol is very conscious of everything that happens around him. In which language will Biya speak today in Buea. That is the question that I have been pondering over since 4am. However, that is not our interest for now. Your Writam-pen is more interested in what President Biya will say on the Anglophone problem.

But what will Popol tell Southern Cameroonians. I heard one SCNC activist around Molyko saying that he is very convinced that Popol will declare the independence of Southern Cameroons today. I have just been hinted that Popol is determined to leave Cameroon better than he found it. If he extends a hand of fellowship will the SCNC adhere to the advised that they should create political parties? Will he repeat the same statement? Will he call for dialogue? A suivre 

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

Reunification Gossips: Buea Touristic Heaven without Food, Hotels

Reunification monument 

Country people, your Writam-pen is actually in Buea enjoying the atmosphere of an undeclared state of emergency. I am sure you will be more than flabbergasted that I am enjoying part of the 25 billion FCFA Popol disbursed for this celebration. Can you imagine that when I got to Buea, I could not recognize the old Buea town? Have you had a glimpse of the Reunification monument that Popol inaugurated today? It is magnificent.  The coming of Popol has completely transformed Buea into a touristic heaven. Hotels are all full. The Presidency has privatized all the hotels. All the hand clappers have dived into Buea. Those seeking for appointments are there. They have all boycotted reunification celebrations at their various regions to go to Buea. I am sure Popol is conscious and some of them will be sanctioned. To get a place to pass a night, students have decided to transform their rooms to motels. 10.000 FCFA per night. That is where your Writam-pen found solace. Yesterday I was shocked that at the open Air Amphitheater 700, the event to showcase the cultural heritage was transformed into the singing of panegyric to Popol. Country people, I hope you all saw Fon Fobuzie of Chomba doing what he knows how to do best. Before I forget, food is as rare as dog tears in Buea. This is serious. Condoms too I hear have got finished and shopkeepers have run out of stock. You remember the famous Mboma man saga, I though it was going to scare UB girls. Yesterday night Molyko Street showed it true colours, red, blue, pink and all you can imagine.  Do you even know that to get an invitation for the dinner and grandstand Molyko is the best place? Someone just hinted me that 25.000 FCFA can afford for such a ticket.

 I hope you have heard how Popol is dishing out fiftieth anniversary gifts. He just dished out Presidential clemency to some of his former allies who were arrested and detained like Titus Edzoa and Thierry Atangana. I hope our elder brother Zacheuse Forjindam will also benefit. When the United Nation started threatening that Thierry Atanga should be freed, I knew Popol was going to succumb and was just waiting for the right opportunity. You know Buea caught cold as the Inoni factor resurfaced after that Presidential clemency. I hear Bakingili is in total silence. You know Popol also disbursed 10 million FCFA each for the Divisional Officers to ferry the population from the suburbs to Buea. The population of Bakingili have vowed that no Inoni no Bakingili in Buea to cheer Popol. But the question I keep asking is of what importance is this fiftieth anniversary when important issues affecting the marriage between Southern Cameroons and La Republic cannot be discussed. I hear the coming of Popol has finally dissolved the UBSU. I spotted John Ntarinkon with a convoy of about six cars. You know the second face-to-face  meeting with Popol may take place in Buea. SCNC is gaining steam with the arrival of Popol in Buea. Mola Njo Litumbe has not stumbled on any block. His detractors who were claiming that he was to sign a secret deal in the name of the SCNC has all been put to shame. Do you know that it is today morning that the delegation from Manyu arrived Buea? I hear the road Mamfe -Kumba is not only a nightmare but it demands prayers and fasting. Do you know that for someone in Manyu to get to Buea, that person has to pass through three other regions before getting to his/her own regional capital. Well, i hope Popol will pity them this time. If not i see no reason why we should be celebrating 5o years of reunification when Manyu Division is an island on land. Am sure if Popol has anything for the people of the South West, it should be the construction of the Kumba-Mamfe road. You remember what he said in Bamenda during the 50th Anniversary of the Armed Forces, he dolled out projects including the University of Bamenda..

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Reunification Celebrations: What Will Biya Tell Manyu People

By Muchop Devoe

Manyu Delegation caught on camera at City Chemist-Bda

It is common that when President Biya makes an official visit to any region, expectations as to what he will say are always high. This is so because every time President Biya moves to any region, he dishes out development projects. In December 2010 during the 50^th Anniversary of the Cameroon Armed Forces, Paul Biya in his speech told Northwesterners that he has decided to create the University of Bamenda. He also mentioned the tarring of the Bamenda Ring Road and the studies to harness electricity at the Menchum Water Fall. It came to passed that the University of Bamenda is operational, the tarring on the ring road is ongoing and studies on the Menchum Water Fall have been done. President Biya is in Buea for the 50^th Anniversary celebration of reunification yet bookmakers have been speculating over what he will tell the people of South West especially the Manyu people. This is so because 53 years after reunification, Manyu Division in the South West Region could be likened to an Island on land. Historically, Manyu formerly Mamfe Division is one of the oldest Divisions in the country. This is perhaps the only division in the entire country that is not linked to its regional headquarters by a motorable road. Travelling from Manyu to Buea, the regional capital of the South West is not only a nightmare; but has been described as one of the darkest corners in human history in the 21^st century. The Kumba-Mamfe road is not only a nightmare; because attempting it demands serious fasting and prayers. 

However, allegations abound that the contract for the construction of the road from Kumba to Mamfe was awarded in Senator Chief Tabentando’s palace in 2013. Another school holds that the contract for the construction of that road has been awarded this year. Regrettably, fears abound high in Manyu that funds allocated for the construction of this road may end up in some private pockets given the level of corruption in the country. With all the cacophony, President Biya is the only person that is expected to break the deadlock in his policy speech. Will he say I have decided to construct the road linking Kumba to Mamfe? This is the most awaited declaration Paul Biya is looked up to as he will doll out development projects for the South West Region. If President Biya forgets about the Kumba-Mamfe road, his trip to Buea would have produced no impact expressionists say.

Hopes have been dashed about the collapse of the Mamfe river seaport which disappeared just after the Union Jack was lowered in the Southern Cameroons territory. It is no more news that Biya reached Buea before the Manyu delegation. He might have been fouled by a few handpicked militants who were placarded by the people of the lie and the unfamous Manyu vuvuzelas of the Biya regime. Since truth is like a heavy load thrown into the sky that must fall, the unkown and not hidden is that Manyu Division is an island on land. If the notion that where the road passes development follows is tenable nowadays, Cameroon may emerge in 2035 without Manyu. This is not only a serious challenge to the Vision 2035, but a devastating failure on the part of its promoter, President Paul Biya, a school of thought holds. The Trans Enugu-Bamenda road is what helped the Manyu delegation to travel through Bamenda via Bafoussam, Loum before entering Buea, passing through three regions before entering to their own regional headquarters. Is President Biya aware? If yes what will he say about the Kumba-Mamfe road and if no, will he tell them that he will make sure that he will personally supervise the construction of that road like was the case with the Bamenda Ring Road in 1985?

If he says he is personally going to supervise it, then all the dreams have been dashed.

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50th Anniversary of Reunification: A tale of Anglophone Subjugation(1)

By Fai Cassian Ndi

(Courage brothers, do not stumble/ though thy path be dark as night/ there’s a light to guide the humble/ trust in God and do the right).

Those who lived the early years of the Anglophone revival: (All Anglophone Conference-AAC) AAC1 and AAC2 would surely recall these words. It is actually the opening stanza of the hymn which was song at the commencement of discussions on the Anglophone problem in Cameroon. The choice of this hymn was anything but an accident. Its choosers knew that many of those who attended AAC1 in Buea in 1993 and AAC2 in Bamenda in 1994 would stumble and fall along the side. Nfor Nfor, Chief Ayamba, Thomas Nwanham, Awanga, Litumbe, Prof. Chia and others say it is a birth right. When was unification before there was reunification? If no one has never ever seen history that is written backward, Cameroon history is the best place for such a research.

Ni John Fru Ndi, Ayah Paul, and a host of other Anglophone political figures have clearly not given up but the failure by Fru Ndi to take a definite position on the Southern Cameroons question has actually retarded the liberation struggle than accelerated it. Dante tells us that the hottest part of hell is reserved for those who in the heart of a heated controversy choose to be neutral. At one of the symposiums on reunification in Buea, Prime Minister Yang Philemon in responding to a question on the SNC struggle said that those belonging to SCNC should transform it into a political party.  History is acclaimed as the story of man’s past events. And not scholar of would defy this simple plain explanation. All history students know this definition. All rational persons know that history cannot be change. Even God cannot change history. The question is whether Southern Cameroons existed, and if yes, anyone who advocates that SCNC should be transform to a political party should be considered as being in a state of sin. On the contrary, Nfor Nfor would say they are fighting for what is rightfully theirs by birth. Actually, the facts, figures and statistics that have stirred Anglophones to think of going back to their roots are very glaring. It steams from the fact that Anglophone marginalization is vividly a mind bugging, when SCNC activists think of the inferiority many are subjected to. From historical facts and following the realities of today, the subjugation is such that there are some key positions in this country that are no go zones for Anglophones. These positions have been at the beck and command of the Francophones since reunification. For example no Anglophone would ever dream of becoming the Minister of Defence, Finance, Territorial Administration, and Education and or even the President of FECAFOOT. Implicitly, any Anglophone who condemns UNO state, SCNC, SCAPO or any other Anglophone pressure group needs to have his conscience and head examined. Even the praise singers of the CPDM of Anglophone origins would admit this except those who have gone insane. By the time of Reunification, the economy of Southern Cameroons was booming, Manyu was not an island on land. By then there was the Cameroon Bank, National Producing Marketing Board, the Wum Area Development Authority. Today, all these structures have disappeared. From the day the Union Jack was lowered on the Southern Cameroons territory, it was the beginning of suppression. It became an unwritten law that no Anglophone could become the President of Cameroon. I remember how a certain minister said sometimes ago that an Anglophone youth must have at least 3 “A” to be considered an equivalent of Bac. It required the angry demonstration of the civil society and the Anglophone press for the situation to be reversed. When a Francophone minister describes Anglophones an enemy in the house, there is much to write home about the marriage.

Double think they say is the ability to hold two contradictory opinions at the same time and to believe both of them. It is an Orwelian concept and the forerunner of doublespeak. For instance, the same version of democracy which Cameroon practices is both young (nascent, budding) and advanced.

Another example is the idea of double nationality. Footballers that have double and even triple nationalities are often called upon to defend national coulours. But the same CPDM cohorts, who make this appeal to the nationality, denounce as foreign persons who don’t belong to the party and who inspire to or are elected to elective positions in the country.  The case of Mongo Beti and Ndedi Eyango abound. Such double standards are common with Francophones. But when an Anglophone indulges in it, the conduct is less forgivable because honesty and sincerity are integral parts their bringing up.

Anglophones have been complaining about marginalization but they have their own part of the blame for what is happening. The first thing is that Anglophones intellects have been brainwashed to the point that they happily accept to assume a position of inferiority. Look the way Anglophone ministers and appointees struggle over slippery French to please a regime. In fact they have completely forgotten that they have to refuse to “succumb to the emotion”. When an Anglophone is appointed, his/her first enemy is the other Anglophones who are experts in petition writings. Even so, those who are appointed develop think skins, they see the appointment as a sort of favour and not merit.

The Anglophone intellectuals and politicians unfortunately have embraced this obnoxious concept of double think; although it must be said in fairness to them that circumstances plunged them into it. But the truth is that no human being an escape his or her past neither can a group of community try to do so. Many of us have thought the 50^th Anniversary of Reunification would be an opportunity for the authorities to examine the contours of the marriage between La Republique and the Southern Cameroons. An opportunity to shape the past and prepare the future but seemingly, it is not the case. Cameroon history is checkered, distorted and has never been written in its entirety. History as Dr. Anthony Ndi told me is about facts and they never change. The other day I was listening to a live drama from Buea, I was shocked that history was told as if it occurrences premeditated. The Anglophone intellect may have sold their birth rights given that some of them have contributed to the distortion of history. When President Biya anticipated his trip to Buea, I said this could be another trap. The continuation of the Foumbam traps that Dr. Anthony Ndi talked about in one of his books.  I remember how SDF National chairman, Ni John Fru Ndi after his petition on the irregularities that characterized the October 9, 2011 Presidential elections reminded Supreme Court President Alexis Dipanda Mouelle, that what was transpiring in Cameroon was not what was agreed upon in 1961. A clear reference to the Plebiscite that resulted to the reunification between La Republique du Cameroun and the Southern Cameroons. 

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