The infamous Patrice Nouma confronts a Ruthless Cameroon Mission’s Treasurer, Kinge Nganje Monono, in Court

"The criminal case was dropped by Mr. Monono because Mr. Nouma does not have any liquidity nor equity (meaning, Mr. Nouma is a poor man) that he could have gone after." JWN

Dear fellow Cameroonians,

ByJackson W. Nanje

Like anyone of you out there, I watched the numerous videos that Patrice Nouma put out on YouTube about the alleged misuse and misappropriation of funds at the Cameroon Mission by the Treasurer, Kinge Monono, and I was very troubled. Troubled that, if these accusations were true, then, Mr. Kinge Nganje Monono deserves to rot in prison. I also concluded that, this Monono fellow is a bad dude. But like any good investigator would do, “verify to believe.” So, it was because of my curiosity that I dispatched the investigators of Nanje School of Creative Thinking to search for the truth. At the end of our investigations we found out that, Mr. Patrice Nouma  (1) is not a truthful man to rely on (2) he had a troubled swindling past (3) that he falsely acquired information that he had no authority over with the aide of a bank accomplice (4) he falsely defamed the Cameroon Mission Treasurer (5) his vicious act caused a breach of trust by the bank (6) he brought negligence charges against the bank even though the charge was dropped later because of the dithering act by the ambassador of the Cameroon Mission, who let the statute of limitations to expire, amongst other charges.

Finally, Patrice Nouma’s lies are beginning to catch up with him. Who is Patrice Nouma and why has he received such enormous notoriety in our community? Has anyone ever thought of subjecting what he puts out in the form of YouTube videos for consumption to any form of scrutiny? That is the journey we want to embark on in this write up. But before we indulge you to read this write-up about how Nouma was brought to submission by Cameroon Mission’s Treasurer, Kinge Nganje Monono in a New Jersey court, we want to oblige you to watch this video impugning his character  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM4vo2LwsuM&t=35s which has not been disputed by him or asked YouTube retract it.

The investigators of Nanje School of Creative Thinking know too well of flamboyant and great communicators like Patrice Nouma, who have a very dark side. They equally understand that Nouma is a very patriotic Cameroonian who will give up everything to risk his life for good of his country like he portrayed in this video in which he lamented at the dilapidated state of the Cameroon Embassy in Washington D.C   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRqgxflprAM We cannot however be lust/lost in his patriotic heroism, to ignore some of his misrepresentations, imperfections and criminal acts on others. And, we cannot also discount the numerous stories told in the first video above as merely an attempt to dent his character. There are numerous verifiable true stories whereby Nouma has been found engaged in deceptive acts in the past. For example, when he told the receptive Cameroon public in 2010 (that’s willing to believe anything that focuses on attacking the CPDM-led government) that Monono was writing checks to Cameroonians indiscriminately during the President’s visit in New York for the United Nation’s Annual General Assembly.  

The reason for this write up however, is to emphasize on the exoneration of the Cameroon Mission’s Treasurer, Kinge Nganje Monono, who sued

Cameroon Mission Treasurer

Kinge Nganje Monono

(https://www.alafnet.com/camerouns-patrice-nouma-dragged-to-us-court/

https://www.alafnet.com/tag/kinge-monono/) Nouma in a New Jersey court recently, for defamation and for illegally obtaining documents from his accomplices (PNC bank of Maryland and its Cameroonian native employee at the bank). The judge rendered a judgment in favor of Cameroon Mission and Monono. What caused the Cameroon Mission Treasurer to drag Mr. Patrice Nouma and the PNC bank to court?

To begin, we want to explain to our readership how the Cameroon Mission functions during the President’s annual visits to New York in September and how Patrice Nouma’s lack of understanding of this process might have led him to misinform his viewers. Before the President travels to New York, a budget of his visit is submitted by the Ministry of Finance to Parliament. That budget is scrutinized during a debate after which, an authorization is given by parliament to the Finance Ministry to disburse that approved sum to the Treasurer of the Cameroon Mission in New York who happens to be Kinge Monono. The Treasurer executes this approved sum as designated by his boss in Yaoundé. For Nouma to subject Monono’s competency for a process he knows nothing about is an example where education has gone acidic. This lack of understanding of Parliamentary Process and Procedure and budgetary allocation is a serious obstacle confronting Nouma. The second issue confronting the inquisitor is criminal in nature. How did Nouma obtain the returned checks written by the Cameroon Mission Treasurer? Could he have passed through the Mission’s ambassador? Did the PNC bank violate its fiduciary (trust) responsibility? Was there an accomplice working for the bank who could have illegally given these checks to Mr. Nouma? These are the questions upon which shall be answered.

It is important for the public to know that the Treasurer of the Cameroon Mission is the only authorized signatory to the Cameroon Mission’s bank account. It is not if this is the case, it is the case. Now that we have established this to be the case let us ask the following questions:

a.    How then did Mr. Nouma get those numerous returned checks that the Treasurer had written to the approved individuals which he brandished on his YouTube videos? We know that his end game was to embarrass the Treasurer nonetheless, by exposing these returned checks to the public.

b.    Since the returned Checks were given to Nouma who has no relational relationship with the Cameroon Mission by an employee of the PNC bank, a branch on 4749 Sangamore Road, Bethesda Maryland. Who could be that employee and what could have been his/her motive?

c.     The other question points directly to the Cameroon Mission’s ambassador, Tommo Monthe. How come checks written to him by the Treasurer to pay out certain invited groups were not included in the videos brandished by Nouma even as we are aware that Nouma had met with him privately to discuss the Treasurer’s bank related activities oblivious of the fact that those activities were sanctioned by Cameroon government and Monono was just the executioner?

d.    When Ambassador Tommo Monthe summoned the Treasurer to discuss Nouma’s submissions to him, why was he complacent about the Treasurer’s request to provide the checks that Nouma had given him? Why did he refuse to write an authorization letter that the bank had requested of the Treasurer to get the information that he needed to pursue the perpetrators?

e.    And even when the Treasurer informed the Minister of Finance of the breach of trust by the bank and ordered the ambassador to write a letter that would enable the Treasurer to pursue the culprits as requested by the bank, why did the ambassador ignore to write the letter?

f.     Could it have been also that the Treasurer’s secretaries were the ones feeding Nouma with the information to destroy or blackmail him?

g.    Was the ambassador aiding and abating Nouma to destroy the Treasurer?

h.    What was the purpose of pursuing the Treasurer who was merely executing his duty as Chief Financial Officer at the Cameroon Mission?

These are a few of the questions that the investigators of Nanje School of Creative Thinking must unravel, to get to the truth about Nouma’s inconsequential escapades. This report is a product of a long interview we had with Kinge Monono and we also used the court transcripts (which are public documents), to determine the opinion of Patrice Nouma and the PNC bank rather than speaking to them directly. The court transcripts shall show word verbatim what Nouma told the judge as his utterances are accurately transcribed by the Court Registrar. And because we have a duty to accurately report our findings to our readership, we have attached these documents as part of this report. But for now, let us attempt to trace the genesis of Nouma’s beef with the Treasurer.

Cameroon Mission

Ambassador, Tommo Monthe

In 2010, in his attempt to impress his viewership and shame Monono and the Cameroon government, Nouma who lives in New York, traveled across the neighboring state (Bethesda, Maryland), to pay and obtain Cameroon Mission’s returned checks from a PNC bank employee, Henriette Akamba Akono, a Cameroonian-born, who has since been fired by the bank for a breach of trust. These checks, illegally obtained, were foolishly brandished on his YouTube channel and the content for which those checks were written to the respective recipients misrepresented by Nouma. His goal here was to defame Kinge Monono and to shame the Cameroon government. And the reason why this case has dragged on for seven (7) years is because of administrative delays by the ambassador, His Excellency Tommo Monthe. The ambassador, for some strange reason, completely refused to provide Monono a letter which PNC bank had requested of him before they could disclose the identity of Nouma’s fugitive accomplice who had provided him copies of the Mission’s returned checks, which is clearly a criminal offense. Why did the ambassador refuse to provide an mere authorization letter to the only authorized signatory to the Mission’s account? Remember that the Cameroon Mission’s ambassador is the boss of the Cameroon Mission who supervises the Treasurer’s activities as well.

After the Cameroon Mission Treasurer uncovered that someone order than him had requested information from the PNC bank Maryland branch, he traveled to Maryland to get more information from the bank manager of the branch. It was upon his arrival at the bank that he was told to present an authorization from the Cameroon Mission ambassador before accessing records at that branch. After establishing that a breach of trust by the bank had occurred, his lawyer had advised him---that---the bank will be sued for negligence. But first, the letter from the ambassador was a precursor to establishing a negligence lawsuit. The Treasurer excitingly drove back to New York to get the letter from the ambassador, but he resisted to furnish him with the letter. Why did the ambassador not provide the Treasurer the letter upon request? The Treasurer then reported the issue to the Minister of Finance who ordered the ambassador to issue the letter to enable the Treasurer to pursue those who were involved in enabling the transaction. Yet

Nouma's PNC Bank Agent

Henriette Akamba Akono

again, he accepted the minister’s request but still resisted issuing the letter. The negligence and breach of trust by the PNC bank started in 2010 and the statute of limitations to sue for negligence is four (4) years in New Jersey. It was only in 2017 that the ambassador issued the letter to the Treasurer to take to the bank, three (3) years after the expiration of the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations (it’s the moment at which the plaintiff has a basis to sue) to sue for negligence had expired and the fugitive bank employee, Henriette Akamba Akono, had been fired by the bank. This begs the question: was Ambassador Tommo an accomplice to the scheme to bring down the impeccable Cameroon Mission Treasurer? Or was he stalling to prevent a lawsuit against his very good friend, Patrice Nouma? Even as there is so much that could be inferred from the ambassador’s obstructionist act, the investigators of Nanje School of Creative Thinking believe that there is some degree of collusion (conspiracy) between Ambassador Tommo and Nouma against the Treasurer.

Obstructionist standing in his way by way of the ambassador to uncover the truth,

Agent Provocateur

Patrice Nouma

the Treasurer went forward with the lawsuit against the PNC bank and Patrice Nouma. The issue in contention here is, how did Patrice Nouma gain access to the state’s account when he was not a state employee and why did the bank grant him access when it is clearly stated that only Kinge Monono had access to the account? Clearly, the PNC bank, where the Treasurer opened the account in New Jersey had established that, the checks were given to Patrice Nouma by an employee whose name they could not reveal at that bank branch. He traveled to Maryland in his attempt to unmask who was behind the fraudulent activity. Mr. Patrice Nouma got the name of Cameroon Mission’s bank account presumably from his friend, the ambassador or from her fugitive bank friend, Henriette Akono. It was Ms. Akono who embarked on the criminal act, clearly in violation of the bank’s internal policies, to access the Mission’s account which she provided to Patrice Nouma with the returned checks.

We have now established that, it is because Patrice Nouma illegally and fraudulently obtained information from the bank that caused the Treasurer to sue him in court. And judgement was rendered against Patrice Nouma in favor of Kinge Nganje Monono. This judgement against Patrice Nouma is the first, and I am sure they could be many more but nobody before Mr. Monono has ever dragged him in court. As part of the judgement, Mr. Monono accepted a plea bargain suggested by Mr. Nouma’s attorney which was, to remove all the YouTube untruthful videos against Mr. Monono. The criminal case was dropped by Mr. Monono because Mr. Nouma does not have any liquidity nor equity (meaning, Mr. Nouma is a poor man) that he could have gone after. The lawsuit has not ended with Mr. Nouma’s plea bargain; the Cameroon Mission Treasurer still has another day in court with the bank, which he is suing for a breach of trust because of the malicious act of its  employee who coerced into giving out private information to an unauthorized individual, Mr. Patrice Nouma. 

The Mystical Elitism and Power Play in Cameroon

Attorney at Law Wilson Ngoh

The  current Anglophone struggle, protest, uprising  or strike, call it what you may choose to, affecting former  British Southern Cameroon, initiated by the Cameroon Common Law Bar  and Teachers’ Syndicates of the English-speaking Cameroon has without doubt shaken the foundation of our very existence and has exposed the supposedly 'unity and solidarity" of our country.

It has also exposed the vulnerability of, and created visible fault lines in President Biya’s governing structures. It has revived the ashes of history and pricked our collective sub consciousness, to embolden us and, to give us expression in topics which hitherto were considered taboos.  It has redefined and reshaped the concept of State Power. It has equally changed the perception on how we view each other vis-à-vis in this fragile union between the French-speaking and English-speaking Cameroonians.

For more than 30 years President Biya has effectively maintained his grip on power, commanding almost a godly-like respect from the people amidst mind-boggling corruption, rising youths’ unemployment, poor infrastructures, executive arrogance, abuse of human rights and marginalization of the English-speaking folks, ingredients that undoubtedly in other countries would have easily provoked a revolt or a civil strife before now.

                      How is Biya managing it?

The question asked in another way is, how has he been able to pull this power-grip off? This is what this paper seeks to accomplish and how it correlates with the Anglophone crisis? The Cameroon political landscape is a complex vertical structure of power consisting:
The president (the puppets’ master)
The elite (many tiny puppets)
The ‘grass rooters’ (includes the ordinary citizens.)

In a normal democracy, you have the government (president) and the people.
This mean there is a free flow of communication, access and contact between the president and the masses. The people own the system and hold the government to account. Since we do not operate in a normal democracy, there is an opaque and seemingly isolatable wall between the president and the masses superfluously created by the regime, making it impossible for the people to communion or inter-face with their government. And this has been a policy strategy, enforced and maintained by personality cult and it has invariable given rise to the monster of elitism in our body polity.

This monster called Elitism operates and thrives on a diabolic system of political patronage, deeply anchored on hand-outs, blackmail, backdoor political appointments, backstabbing to win favors, mind control, greed, manipulation, sycophancy and racketeering, which the end game is self-survival. The monster of elitism is made up of tiny puppets called elite, drawn from all the regions of Cameroon to bind together with the conviction that, their survival and interest is paramount to the collective interest of the masses. It is this group that has rushed in and occupied the gap between the people and the president, pretentiously acting as a bridge and message-bearers between the people and the president. Their common denominators are their affluence, flashy cars and ostentatious lifestyle which does not impress the common man on the street.

                              Elitism Politics in Cameroon

Permit me to advance some definitions of ELITISM.
According to Wikipedia, elitism ‘is the belief or altitude that individuals who form an elite –a select group of people with certain ancestry, intrinsic quality or worth, high  intellect, wealth, specialized training or experience or other distinctive attributes, are those whose influence or authority is greater than others’

And Dictionary.com defines elitism/elite as, ‘in political and sociological theory, for a small group of powerful people that controls a disproportionate amount of wealth, privilege or political powers in the society’ The term originates from Latin (meaning to choose or elect). Being an elect is underpinned by the elitist belief that government should be by a self-appointed group who are considered superior to others by their higher birth or material possession rather than it being for, by and of the people.

In all these definitions, a few elements run across power, wealth and control for selfish interest. It is this belief which makes the concept of ELITISM dangerous and which should be castigated and suppressed in our body polity and not the fact of being an elite itself. This paper is not a punk on the elite class, as there is nothing wrong with being elite. I consider myself as elite.

Throughout history leadership has evolved from the elite class to the larger society. Leadership role is a vocation for the elite. So, Elite per se is not under condemnation here; but when the elite become greedy and self-conceited thereby failing in their role of providing positive leadership for the masses (leadership that solves societal problems), then, we should all rise in good faith to condemn them.

In our country, because of the easy access that this exclusive group has to pilferage the wealth of our nation, belonging there has become a full-time career for many. Unconditional support is what is needed to the president and to these chaps, the president is elevated to the statute of a demi-god, so that the fear of the president is the beginning of wisdom or, is paramount.

The concept of elitism is almost assuming the coloration of a cult, since they control everything in the polity and practically decides who gets what, when and how. While only the scrums trickle down to the masses, this has made the race to become elite to remain elite almost a deadly one since only a few are admitted. This system has effectively acted as a shock absorber, in diffusing stress and tension in the system and continue to guarantee grass root support for the president, bearing in mind that tribalism is rift in our veins as Cameroonians, this system seeks to promote same.

Since our dear president does not inter-face or interact with the citizens except on very rear televised speeches and does not campaign during national elections, the Elite class as a necessity does campaigning for the president. And when this happens, they become the only gate way for the masses to see or hear from the president. I must admit that the elite have effectively played their role as it pertains to calming down the tension within the system. Some instances to be mentioned are: in the 90s they were able to reverse the rising tide of SDF populism. In 2008, the diffused the tension following the general strike. They have practically given the president victory in all elections that he has participated logically so, since the elite does the campaigns for the president.
      
On their part, the incredulous masses have remained loyal and respectful to their elite class, almost always clinging piously to their every word as the gospel truth. And since Yaoundé is the seat of power where the national cake is shared, it seems too distant away from the common man. With all these mysteries and myths, it becomes imperative that every region is hooked to this idea that, only the elite class, with their experience, supposed intellect and exposure can go on board, withstand the heat of the kitchen, grab their own share of the cake and bring it down to them for equal distribution.

Over time the people pin much hope on these elites, but as time goes by the masses never saw what is rightfully theirs. The elites with their predatory instinct have been preying on the gullibility of their prey (the masses) and have fed them with lies, false hope and vain promises that has never materialized while ignoring the genuine cries of the people, promising to channel the people’s complaints to the right quarters. Truth is that, most of these elites the people depend on have never gone beyond the first gate of the presidency. In as much as I begrudge the altitude of the elites, I must take a pause here to acknowledge their ingenuity in keeping the frustration and anger of the masses in cheek from reaching boiling point. Their ability to make the masses to make reason and understanding even in the most ridiculous and incomprehensible situations, is unquestionably unquestionable.

-To understand why some of them have never seen even a meter of tarred road in their area since independence.
-Why they are made to pay as much 2500 FRS as transport fare for five kilometer distance due to bad roads.
-To understand why petrol is oozing out from their soil but don’t have a single pump station
-To understand why their children don’t have jobs.
-To understand why some of their children study under terrible conditions due to the lack thereof of classrooms.
-To understand while there is so much waste in the system why many go hungry.
-To understand why there is unchecked and institutionalized corruption.

  The Anglophone crisis poses another test for the elite. As the crisis escalates in scale and scope and snowball from a syndicate issue into a national crisis. President Biya once again rely on his elite class to quench the fire in the house rather than to talk directly to the people and profiling an acceptable solution for the country. These elite group went full swing into action, starting by outright denial of the existence of the Anglophone problem. That effort hits the rock bottom, the elite re-strategized, then tried negotiation but that too failed.
They equally tried to stem the rising tide of the tension by beaten down the strike. But here too they met their waterloo. With their tails in-between their legs, they resulted to applying the force of intimidations, it is only then that the elite class realized that something greater than the ant has entered the ant hole. By not harkening to the voice of the elite class for the first time, the masses are just beginning to tear down the walls of elitism that has being a major problem in our body polity. It likens to the scenario where ‘the falcon can no longer bear or listen to the falconer.’
      
As the house of cards begin to crumble under the crushing anger of the masses, Biya has to look for a new model of communication to pass his message to the people, first for the good of the country and secondly, for his own survival. It must be emphasized that the lack of effective and direct communication is at the heart of this crisis. you hear it echoed from many different quarters that the president’s collaborators are not telling him the truth in respect to what is going on in a country he has been president for close to forty (40) years. Should this be true, then, there is an urgent need for the him (the president) to step down from his comfort zone and meet and discuss with the people directly. For the old system of elitism has failed this country and no longer sustainable in the long run. Or may he consider resignation for the good of his country?


 Wilson Lobe Ngoh is an Attorney at Law in Kumba, Meme Division in the South West Region of Cameroon. He could be reached @ lobengoh@yahoo.com

Cameroon: The mind of the Secessionist

Rev. Sam Otteh Esale

My fellow Cameroonians,

Heed the good counsels of the wise and stay clear out of harm’s way. Do not be fooled by those who do not love you, but are trying to impose their agenda on you. They're using you to achieve their evil machinations of "Divide and Conquer." They live with their families abroad and have nothing to lose in your struggle for Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. They have Nothing to lose.
There is a better alternative to the madness. You must be the ones to decide between conflicting alternatives and that choice must be made in a Referendum, to be sustainable. I offer you a 10-States Federation as one viable choice.
I am from Ndian division and these Secession instigators have NOT told us why Secession would be better than a 10-States Federation, for the people of Ndian division. They haven't addressed that issue to the satisfaction of my constituency.

What would Secession accomplish, that a 10-States Federation won't achieve in Cameroon?

a) Civil War, Terrorism & Refugees?

b) Killing and maiming of innocent folks, including children?

c) Destruction of public/private property?

d) School boycotts & Ghost Towns?

e) Loss of blood & treasure?
Keep in mind that leaders of this Secession agenda reside abroad and most of them are not Cameroonians. They carry foreign passports. That's why they are not there to help or support you. And where is the Residence of the President of Ambazonia, aka Southern Cameroons? Is he in Cameroon today to celebrate your ‘victory’ with you? No. You see?
They hide behind computer screens in the safety of their basements abroad, but have the audacity to sow seeds of discord and lead you into temptation. Do Not Fall prey to their malicious ploys. They don't care about you. They don't love you. That is why they threaten you with death if you don't agree with their foolishness or obey their ghost town orders and school boycotts. Their children are in schools abroad. Secessionists themselves go to work every day, to earn their keep.

How many of your Parliamentarians have resigned so far?

About 5. Are they regretting for their wrong and hasty decision to resign? Or they simply caved to your pressure and intimidation tactics or your promise of death if they did not resign?

How many of your Senators have resigned? None.

How many of you Senior Divisional Officers and Divisional Officers have resigned? None
How many of your professionals who work for the government have resigned, e.g. Teachers, Magistrates, Doctors, all civil servants including Ambassadors or Embassy Attachés have resigned? None

How many Ministers have resigned? None

How many Law Enforcement Officials have resigned, “Mbere Khaki” or Gendarmes/Peace officers? None. It has been reported (Guardian Post) that the lawyers have resumed work in the North and South West Regions.

How many Military Officials have resigned? None. Rather, they have pledged their loyalty to the government and to those who decided not to follow the government orders, they have been brought to submission one way or the other.

If these people resigned today, what would they do in West Cameroon? What structures are in place in West Cameroon to accommodate the displaced civil servants who have families to worry about? None because they have not thought of any.

Would they forfeit their Pensions or Retirement Benefits? The Civil Servants are confused especially as the Secessionists are not providing any viable options but noise

How long would they last without a paycheck or salary? Not for long.

Who will provide gainful employment for these professionals and technocrats who have served the government for decades? Only the government can.

Have these Secessionists thought about these things? No.

If all Anglophone Business people in Douala, Yaoundé & Bafoussam went back to West Cameroon today as Refugees, how would they make a living? Why did they move in the first place? Greener pasture?

These and more are the questions that these shortsighted Secessionists have never discussed or thought about or even dared to answer. That is why I do not agree with their agenda. It is inhuman, disruptive, dangerous, callous and deceptive. These folks have never held elected office anywhere in the world, and so they are incapable of even conceptualizing the consequences of their foolishness and stupidity.
There are more Anglophones in East Cameroon today, than there are Francophones in West Cameroon. Refugee conditions in West Cameroon would be worse than was obtained during the Civil Wars in Nigeria & Chad. It will become a Humanitarian Crisis of Biblical proportion, and it will cost lives and treasure. There will be mass poverty, sickness, disease and death toll will be high. Who does not understand the meaning and consequences of genocide?
These Secessionists have no plans on how to accommodate the millions of Refugees involved in a crisis of this magnitude. They are playing with human lives as they seek for notice in a very primitive way.

What will a 10-States Federation achieve?

A 10-States Federation would be far less disruptive and destructive than the Secession foolishness. And it will liberate the country from the yoke of oppression and corruption. Nobody will lose anything. It is a win-win-proposition which will root out centralization, corruption and the Oligarchy in Cameroon. Let us have a Referendum and make the best decision for the future of our children, grand children and great grandchildren and for posterity.
These Secessionists don't possess a crystal ball to decide for the rest of us. The action is unacceptable. But the only credit I can give to the Secessionists is, if the government decides to have a National Dialogue, it is largely because of their efforts.
My Brethren, for now, Keep the peace. Obey the Laws of your country and respect the orders by Law Enforcement and your elected representatives. God is watching you from a distance.

"United We Stand, Provided We Fall."

May God Bless Cameroon, until we get to the Federation of Cameroon, soon. This is a journey and the destination is neigh.
God is watching you from a distance.

Wish the Best to all.

Cameroon: Last Call to President Paul Biya: Before We Go to Buea

By Ekinneh Agbaw-Ebai*

Mr President,

I am making this last call consequent upon the power of attorney vested in me as a public intellectual, who has a patriotic duty to speak truth to power. I equally make this call in my capacity as a citizen of this great nation, whose only job-profile is to simply ask questions and demand accountability. I have nowhere else than your office to call, given the failure of your collaborators to resolve the Anglophone problem, which has become a ticking time bomb. As the problem festers with no visible end in sight, your greatest responsibility today, is to give this nation a pathway to unity in diversity. And by this is meant, Mr. President should urgently respond to the deafening calls for a return to federalism. As you well know sir, the clouds are gathering and the looming catastrophe is palpable and frightening. And as long as you continue to ignore calls for federalism, Anglophone independence agitations will only grow stronger. It will reach the point of no-return after October 1, with a formal restoration of independence. And once that happens, the end may just be near.

Truth be told, Mr. President, the mass demonstrations across Anglophone regions on September 22, was evidence, if at all one was needed that Anglophones have lost faith in this one Cameroon project and now want separation. That the problem attained this current level of threatening prominence, however, speaks to an abject failure of presidential leadership. And here is the thing; the problem reached crisis point, following the pig-headed decision to arrest the Consortium leaders. By arresting Agbor Balla, Fontem Neba, Ayah Paul and Mancho BBC, the government lionized and inadvertently gave them international recognition and raised their profiles as they became symbols of a struggle, which metastasized beyond lawyers and teachers. These Anglophone activists would have been unlikely heroes if government had not been indolent and slipshod in their actions and reactions.

Since their release, they have become larger than life, but the unintended consequence of their incarceration has been the radicalization of Anglophones; a majority of whom now want nothing short of separation. Not even the governing council leaders can go contrary to this aspiration. Therefore, the current militarization of Anglophone regions is a meaningless show of naked power that has no redeeming value, because that strategy has been tried already and it failed. So, instead of using a sledgehammer, there should be dialogue. This is where Mr. President must have a re-think and open channels of communication with the leaders of the Anglophone governing council. There must be engagement in line with the African method of consensual conflict resolution. Ii is beguiling that in the midst of the prevailing chaos, Mr. President has not bothered to address the nation, despite the mass protests at home and abroad. It is not too late to do this; because the wait-and-see strategy has failed.

To halt the descent into anarchy, Mr. President should immediately order the immediate release of all remaining Anglophone detainees; create a commission of inquiry to investigate those killed and compensate their families accordingly, while holding those responsible, accountable. The government should then open dialogue on federalism with SCACUF and Consortium leaders, who now represent Anglophones, and stop listening to the self-serving Anglophone CPDM elite who have no credibility and only speak on behalf of their personal stomachs. Rather than war-war and later to jaw-jaw, it is only sensible to pursue the option that reduces tension, assuage anger, and encourage mature and objective discussion of grievances in order to achieve a more just and equitable polity.

Your Excellency, I feel I need not say more, but I must remind you that the Anglophone problem has become a bad headache that refuses to go away because of your failure to address the main issue that is responsible for the problem: over-centralization of powers in Yaoundé. Centralization has created a buccaneer mentality and booty-sharing tradition evident in the selfishness, corruption, mindless exploitation and insensitivity amongst the ruling vampire elite who have captured and taken the nation hostage. As things stand no force on earth can eliminate corruption in Cameroon. Only federalism would end the reign of crass opportunism and leadership by small minds in high places; that has taken an otherwise great nation to the precipice of civil war and destruction.

Whether you are for federalism; be it two, or 10 states or independence is a matter of opinion, but what cannot be denied is the fact that the number of Anglophones who prefer federalism as opposed to independence is reducing by the day. The socially disruptive impact the crisis has had, and continues to have on the polity, has triggered reactions that are unhelpful to national unity, peace and stability. 

Needless to say, no one wants the balkanization of Cameroon. That is not what federalism entails and that is not what it will ever be. But for Cameroon to remain one, united and indivisible, the government must recognize that federalism will strengthen democracy and make the country prosper economically. The situation is getting out of hand as schools are being burnt by anarchists who have been radicalized by government’s obstinate refusal to dialogue with the true Anglophone leaders. Things will only get worse, unless a new dynamic emerges on the ground that shows a path forward towards realizing Anglophones’ quest to manage their affairs.  

An important point about the Anglophone problem is that the present agitation is a symptom of a much larger discontent. It is a component of widespread and comprehensive dissatisfaction with the structure, the composition, and the working of the political, economic and other systems. In point of fact though, the claim of marginalization, inequitable generation and distribution of national resources, and other forms of disaffection with Cameroon as presently constituted, is not at all unique to Anglophones. Other regions exhibit in varying degrees of severity, certain dissatisfaction with the system. Taken altogether, these constitute an absolutely unwholesome “Cameroonian condition” that should worry every patriot. The difference here is that Anglophones are saying enough is enough, and if the government which constitutionally is obligated to keep the country secure and peaceful for its citizens cannot address our grievances, then we will be going back to Buea.

The legal aspect of the Anglophones case for independence is not in doubt, but like other loci of disaffection in the polity, it is essentially a political issue that must be handled with tact and dexterity. Before September 22, not many Anglophones believed the separatist demand was realizable or even desirable. But, the message of September 22 was deafening and the government can only continue to be in denial at its own peril. Like men possessed beyond reason of the validity of their demands, the SCACUF governing council staked their claim as the true Anglophone leaders by calling for peaceful demonstrations all over Anglophone Cameroon. It was a gamble that paid off as the response was overwhelming. At other times, government has sought political solutions to issues that were either even more socially disruptive or were threatening to national stability, like negotiating with Boko Haram. If the government is serious about a peaceful resolution of the crisis, the choice is simple and straight: return the country to federalism or call a referendum for Anglophones to decide their future. 

More than at any period in history, we need an inclusive solution to the Anglophone problem in order that all Cameroonians can join hands to harness their potential for the development of our country. The truth is that Anglophones are sick and tired of belonging to a country where the President abuses the instruments of state power to appoint his tribesmen to the commanding heights of authority positions within the public service and the military. How can anyone justify why the public investment budget for the President’s South region is more than that of the two Anglophone regions combined. As the bread basket of Cameroon, Anglophones will no longer stand idle by, while their resources are pillaged to finance a corrupt system of abusive patronage and ethnic-inspired clientelism, run by tribal jingoists, who see public service as a profit-making business and are stealing the nation blind. That is not what our fathers voted for in 1961. If anything, re-unification has turned out to be a colossal mistake, and one which as Anglophones we must correct, no matter the price to do so!

Nation-building, Mr. President, is not for the faint-hearted. I strongly believe that we do not have to split this country before we can restructure it to run as a federation where each region can run efficiently with the endowments in their domains. That is why, going forward, there should be open and frank discussion of terms of association to guarantee a win-win situation for all Cameroonians. This is the fundamental political solution that Mr. President must implement at this trying time. And it is the only way to resolve the Anglophone problem and save the country from implosion. This is my last call to you as a federalist. Should you ignore this call, I bet you Mr. President, we Anglophones will go back to Buea!

*Ekinneh Agbaw-Ebai is a Public Intellectual and graduate of Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government, where he was Managing Editor of the Harvard Journal of African-American Public Policy. A former Research Analyst for Freedom House, he is a Consultant and lives in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Talk back at ekinneh@yahoo.com

Making the case: Why the Barombi Tribe and other Peripheral villages should be a part of the Oroko Cultural Heritage

If the Oroko people should consider themselves as civilized, they should therefore fit within the defined scope of civilization, which is “the ability of human beings to live harmoniously with other groups of people (like the afore-mentioned), towns, cities and other government.” Knowing that we must live harmoniously with the Barombi faithful neighbors, what then could be the raison d’ėtre for their exclusion? JWN

ByJackson W. Nanje

Over the past couple of years, the Oroko people of Ndian division have grappled with the idea of including the people of the Barombi tribe as one of our own. It is true that the dialects of the Oroko tribes and that of the Barombi tribe are completely different; but dialect alone does not define a people. While the Barombi natives have no problem understanding and speaking the Oroko language, the Oroko people on the other hand, have resisted any attempt to integrate with the Barombi people. It is obvious that the Oroko people have adopted the ethnocentric attitude of rejecting the Barombi people even though they will forever remain a part of the Oroko people by nature of their proximity. The Barombi people on the other hand have adopted the acculturalization (borrowing the traits of people from their pristine environment) attitude, by adapting in their environment. They understand and speak the Oroko language and have equally accepted much of the Oroko mores and have blended many aspects of the Oroko culture into their culture. For example, the Oroko people call elephant Njoku and the Barombi call it same. Similarly, the Oroko people call a certain masquerade (Ngoba) and the Barombi call it the same way. Pepper (Ndonga) is called the same way by both ethnic groups. There are many other cultural aspects that the Barombi people have taken from the Oroko people and integrated into their language because they understand that, as members in an unfamiliar environment, you must adapt.

In the South West Region, there are fourteen (14) Barombi villages. Eleven of them are in Ndian division and three (3) in Meme division. These are the Barombi villages in Ndian division: (1) Bekora native name Kange (2) Mokono (Nkono) (3) Dora (Loh) (4) Lipenja (Penja) (5) Bongongo I (M’palle) (6) Bongongo II M’palle (7) Ngatame (8) Bekarakara (9) Mbengwi (Mbenge) (10) Mbionang (11) Ngoss

And in Meme division, we have the following Barombi villages: (12) Kotto (13) Mbo (14) Kang

All the Barombi villages are interspaced between or are surrounded by Oroko villages and, over the many years that we have lived together, they have proven themselves as the best neighbors that the Oroko people have ever had and whom they should rely on. And since they now own these various villages and own their chiefs, ostracizing them is the wrong path the Oroko man should ever take. It is therefore imperative for the Oroko people to abandon their ethnocentric attitude and accept the Barombi people as one of their own. And since the Barombi people first choice of marriage away from their clan is the Oroko people, and knowing that they are quite willing to assimilate I strongly believe that, over time, the Barombi culture will assume all aspects of the Oroko culture. 

Besides the cultural aspect that give us a stand-alone reason to be considered as brothers, there is a political reason why we should see each other as people hewn from the same family. In politics, the more, the merrier. The Oroko people should always embrace every opportunity to increase their numbers because it compensates handsomely in the national economic distribution of wealth. With the eleven Barombi villages, twenty-seven Balue villages, and fifteen Balondo Ba Nanga villages, Ndian parliamentarians should be making the case for two parliamentarians in that Region instead of the one it currently has now. If we continue to reject a huge segment of the Ndian population because of cultural dissimilarities, as a people, we shall never evolve, politically.

If we look at the beautifully designed Oroko USA website (which is the richest in content), many villages and towns (Isangele, Bamuso, Kumbo Etindi, Kumbo Abedimo, Idabato) that are in Ndian division and that can be easily amalgamated, have been left out and yet, these people commune with us during our cultural events and activities be it in the United States or Cameroon. If the Oroko people should consider themselves as civilized, they should therefore fit within the defined scope of civilization, which is “the ability of human beings to live harmoniously with other groups of people (like the afore-mentioned), towns, cities and other government.” Knowing that we must live harmoniously with the Barombi faithful neighbors, what then could be the raison d’ėtre for their exclusion? Politics is a game of numbers; the Oroko land should be assimilating more people to encourage development and by so doing, they will be moving away from nativity to civility.

When we practice the politics of inclusion, we would therefore begin to make the case of requesting for more members of parliament to serve our division. We currently have a proportionate population in Ndian division large enough to provide us with at least seven (7) Members of Parliaments however, we have not been organized enough to present our case for re-districting all due to politics of exclusion.

In conclusion, we must understand that even though we want to preserve our heritage, we must learn to embrace peaceful neighbors like the natives of the Barombi clan, Isangele, Idabato, Kumbo Etindi, Kumbo Abedimo, who are always so willing to adapt to our culture and traditions. In sheer numbers, we conquer, and in small numbers, we are reduced to insignificance.

The Demise of Oroko Politicians in Cameroon’s Body Politic

The current Anglophone crisis has so far been a true test to see if the Oroko (Ndian

By Jackson W. Nanje

division) politicians will fold into their usual docility again or rise in a rare occasion to speak truth to power. Jackson Nanje

For close to sixty (60) years since the dawn of Cameroon’s independence in 1960/61 the Oroko politician has never seen himself as a relevant partner in Cameroon’s body politic and conversely, the way Cameroon politics is organized, it has hardly had any need to include the Oroko politician in the national polity. One would think that with the wealth coming out of the Oroko land (45% of Cameroon’s GDP which includes 85-5% of oil and natural gas revenue), it should have given the Oroko man the much-needed leverage to be a viable political player in the nation. But no, the possession of wealth in the division, which is always a difference maker elsewhere in the world, has not made any difference to an Oroko politician or brought economic development to their area of jurisdiction. Before we continue with this essay Nanje School of Creative Thinking should define who is and Oroko man?

For historical and geographical perspectives, let’s give a brief history of the Oroko people and their locations on the map of Cameroon. Shortly after independence, the Oroko people were lumped up in one division called the Kumba Division in the South West Region. However, in 1967, considering how large the division was, President Ahmadou Ahidjo decided to split Kumba division into two. This is how Ndian and Meme divisions came into being. The composition of Ndian division has 129 villages (Oroko people), plus the Barombi people of Abor extraction (11 villages), Isangele, Kumbo Etindi, Idabato, Bamuso, Kumbo Abedimo, and the newly acquired Bakassi Peninsula with villages totaling 146 with an estimated population of more than 500,000 people. There are 88-verified Oroko villages in Meme division (http://www.orokousa.org/clans-and-villages/), making the Oroko tribe the largest assembly of tribal villages in the country. Despite the portly size of the Oroko population, the Oroko politician is yet to deliver anything major to any of its divisions. The two divisions (Ndian and Meme) are the second and third largest of the six divisions in the South West Region after Manyu division. However, with the inclusion of the Bakassi Peninsula, Ndian division is arguably the largest division in the South West Region, presently. This essay will emphasize more about Ndian division because most of the wealth in the South West Region and Cameroon is from the division.

Ndian division does not only possess 85.5% of Cameroon’s oil and natural gas; but possesses a huge supply of cocoa, coffee, and timber. With the wealth that Ndian possesses one would think that it will present the Ndian politicians a formidable platform to lobby for substantial amount of money coming from proceeds of their resources to bring some vitally-needed economic development for the division. The docility of the current Ndian politicians is hereditary. For the more than twenty Ndian parliamentarians (politicians) who have represented and are still representing the people since the dawn of independence, just Chief Victor Ngomo Obie-CNU (Ijowe), Honorable Nwalipenja Nkwelle Lobe-CNU-CPDM (Lipenja) and Hon. Martin Mokube-CPDM (Bafaka Balue) have been true representatives of the people due to most of their interventions. The rest have been hogwash who were and are still being intimidated by their French-speaking colleagues in parliament, especially the unshakeable Speaker of Cameroon Parliament, Djibril Cavayé.

The current Anglophone crisis has so far been a true test to see if the Oroko (Ndian division) politicians will fold into their usual docility again or rise in a rare occasion to speak truth to power. In a unique occasion where the anglophones in Cameroon are complaining of marginalization by their own French-speaking Cameroon brothers with whom they signed the Foumban Accord to unite as equal partners in the formation of the United Republic of Cameroon in1972, the Ndian and Oroko politicians have been complete bystanders in this impasse. Even if they become vocal as they are expected to, it would have been for genuine reasons because their French-speaking counterpart have done so much wrong in the dismantling of all known companies that flourished and brought prosperity to the region in the past. Furthermore, the Oroko and Ndian politicians’ silence have been so deafening even as they know that the South West Region has the economic leverage because of the huge contribution they make to the nation’s overall Gross Domestic Product (60%) and 45% of which comes from Ndian division. The absolute lack of economic development activities for more than 50 years in the division should urge our politicians to be vocal participants in this anglophone crisis. Their unbelievable withdrawal from the struggle has been quite unimageable and a spectacle to behold because there are no roads, no hospitals, no electricity in the entire division, no communication network like radio, television and internet and no banking facilities. The division is equally infested with substandard schools which have been created without funding with many of its teachers and administrators that were posted to schools in the region refusing to honor the government’s transfer requests and as usual, the Oroko and Ndian politicians are unconcerned about the decaying problem. The division is completely disconnected from Cameroon mainland because of the absence of these amenities and yet, the voters and the only three miserable Ndian parliamentarians continue to vote 100% in favor of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) party, oblivious of their demise and for fear of the heavy-handedness from the Speaker. On one side, these Oroko politicians who, in the most part, are myrmidons to the CPDM-led government shall be confronted henceforth by an increasingly angry constituent who elected them into office with the hope that they will deliver for them, but have rather decided to serve the government to their detriment.

The question that has always baffled the investigators of Nanje School of Creative Thinking about politics of Ndian division is whether the Ndian politicians are to blame for the misgivings of the division or the voters who, after more than 50years of politicking continue to vote into office same party politicians who cannot deliver for them or do not serve their interest? These are the politicians who have served the Ndian people in the past: Chief Victor Ngomo Obie-CNU (Ijowe), Hon. Mbile Namaso-CNU (Lipenja Batanga), Hon. Okha Bau-CNU (Lobe Town), Hon. Gabriel Etongo-CNU (Bamuso), Hon. William Ebeku-Bisoro Balue(CPDM), Hon. Joshua Nambangi Osih-Madie Ngolo (SDF), Hon. Nwalipenja Nkwelle-Lobe-CNU-CPDM, Hon. Sylvester Itoe Imbia-CPDM (Dikome Balue), Ebune Nakeli-CPDM (Mundemba), Hon. Besingi-(UNDP), Hon. Mosaki-CPDM, Hon. Nobert Nangia Mbile-CPDM (Lipenja Batanga), Hon. Benedict Namongo-CPDM (Bamuso), Hon. Peter Mokube-UNDP (Dikome Balue). The following three representatives of the people shall be up for re-election in 2020: Honorable Peter Njume who represents the 27 Balue villages, 11 Barombi villages and 15 Balondo ba Nanga villages; Honorable Daniel Ngalle Etongo who represents only Bamuso district; and, Honorable Mary Meboka who represents 36 Ngolo villages, 26 Ngolo Batanga villages, 19 Bima villages, 3 Balondo ba Diko villages, Kumbo Etindi, Kumbo Abedimo, 3 Bakoko villages and Isangele. The next election must signal the beginning for the newly-informed Ndian voters to start taking a hard look at candidates who intend to run for office whether they are qualified to be good servants of the people. Equally, the people must react against any candidate imposed on them without their approval like it is often the case.

After studying the sphere of influence of each of these three parliamentarians, we have concluded that there is a need for at least four (4) additional Members of Parliament (MP) to be awarded to Ndian division because the few MPs that we currently have cannot possibly cover the large topography and represent their people effectively especially as the transport network system in the division is extremely deplorable. In addition to the four more MPs, Ndian needs two more Senators not just one as is presently the situation. There should be no reason why Fako, which is one of the smallest divisions in terms of size and population in the South West Region to have three Senators and Ndian just one and the Ndian politicians are happy about this designation. These injustices must be corrected by our docile MPs. Secondly, besides being naïve in expressing the needs of their constituencies in parliament, the large expanse of land has proven to be ungovernable by the expressionless MPs of Ndian division. This issue of naivety is one of the problems the Ndian electorate must correct in subsequent elections. Thirdly, there is a need for an enlightened electorate to vote for qualified individuals who are required to know the problems of the division. The quest to elect people because we ‘like them’ should be an issue of the past. Qualifications and not love should be the crowning jewel of an educated Ndian voter. Finally, the voters and the candidates for MP must come to terms with the realities of the division by drawing a Social Contract, like that drawn by Jean Jacques Rousseau (a French Philosopher) in 1754. This Social Contract must contain the Needs of Ndian division which, the MP candidate must sign as a prerequisite to be voted into office. And if 50%-75% of the items on the Social Contract are accomplished s/he shall be retained in office. But if they cannot fulfill a greater majority of the items on the Social Contract we cannot, in no practical terms re-elect them. We cannot continue to elect individuals who do not have the priorities of the Ndian and Oroko people at heart, anymore.

In conclusion, it is seemingly untenable for the current crop of Ndian and Oroko politicians to win the trust of the people they were supposed to be serving because, for ten (10) months since the advent of the anglophone crisis none of these elected politicians have expressed their dismay, opposition or dissatisfaction to the current political dispensation in Cameroon much to the mortification of the constituents. Rather, they have been great bedfellows with the administration.

The Anglophone Problem and the Ticking Time Bomb

The country is gradually receding to the transmutation trajectory of a civil war; there is fire on the mountain and no one is running. This should worry the president

By Ekinneh Agbaw-Ebai*

Just when it seems the Biya regime has hit the lowest ebb in governance capacity, it manages to find a further depth in ignominy. The failed meetings between government and representatives of Anglophone teachers and lawyers who have been the arrowhead of the recent protests was yet another predilection of the government digging its own grave beyond the proverbial six feet. Little surprise the outcome was a typical Cameroonian tragic-comedy of errors in which the government brought odium upon itself and advertised in spectacular fashion, how lies and deceit have been elevated to instruments of statecraft. In a continuing orgy of ineptitude and self-delusion, the government tried to put a positive spin on the fiasco even after the Anglophone teachers and lawyers staged a walkout in Bamenda and Yaoundé.

This is more than embarrassing as it betrays a government lacking in the vital attributes of democratic engagement. The empty grandstanding will do nothing, other than escalate the Anglophone problem beyond the point of no return. Once that happens, the government should banish the thought of an abortion after the baby - an independent Anglophone nation - is born. So, while the window of opportunity is still open, President Biya must be told in unmistakable terms that the solution to the Anglophone problem is either a federation or independence for Anglophones. The President may pretend not be in a hurry to address the problem, but the truth is that time is not on his side.

There are reasons for Anglophones to be outraged by the meetings which are a rigmarole begging the main issue. To begin with, how could the government dispatch a team of Anglophone problem deniers to resolve a problem, they ipso facto believe, does not exist? Fame Ndongo who denies the existence of an Anglophone problem as part of the negotiating team only confirms the government’s capacity to shock and scandalize is infinite. Besides, insisting a deal-breaker like federalism is “off the table” only vindicates Anglophones, who suspect, with good reason, that these meetings are merely a subterfuge of divide and conquer, aimed at deflating the momentum of the Anglophone struggle, while running down the clock. If this is the sinister calculation behind government’s thinking, then it is a suicidal mistake.

Some stories are best told straight. The false equivalency by Francophones who equate federalism to secession speaks to an ignorance that is tantalizing and manifestly hypocritical, to say the least. Their illogical arguments are further rendered unacceptable because they wittingly or unwittingly, confirm the fact that they consider Anglophones as a conquered people who can be abused with impunity and their natural resources pillaged to finance the conspicuous consumption and ostentatious lifestyles of corrupt bureaucrats in the name of national unity. What could be more dishonest and self-serving than denying that Anglophones have a right over their God-given resources? Indeed, the lie of an illusional united and indivisible Cameroon has been glued and nourished at the monumental expense of Anglophones who have bent over backwards to breaking point in accommodating the parasitic cabal of Francophone ethnic jingoists who, in their dementia thought patterns, believe they can abuse the instruments of state power to criminally sustain this dubiously crafted Luciferian contraception called Cameroon. This is a hypocritical reality that must be dismantled and Anglophones are saying enough is enough.

It bears repeating that Anglophone Cameroon produces over 60% of national GDP and gets back next to nothing. It is, therefore, provocative, insulting and irresponsible for Francophones to derisively dismiss the Anglophone problem. When a people complain of discrimination and marginalization in a country they call theirs and express a desire to secede as a result, it is not rocket science to know that the best way to respond is not by rolling out the tanks and soldiers. You don’t use force to keep an aggrieved partner in a relationship he/she has expressed a desire to quit. You keep an aggrieved partner in the relationship by addressing his/her grievances.

Regardless of what anyone may think about the Anglophone problem, what even President Biya cannot dispute is that Anglophone grievances are genuine. Anglophones have lost faith in the country and the status quo is not sustainable. After 55 years of marginalization and discrimination, there is no better time than now to address the structural and institutional challenges facing the nation. And Anglophones have made no secret of their intentions to secede if the government refuses dialogue and the return to a federal system of government. But the odor of petrifying arrogance from government officials is matched by their patronizing bellicosity evidenced by their outright rejection of federalism. This is sheer nonsense. Truth be told; Anglophones are not begging for federalism. If the government refuses dialogue, then Anglophones are left no choice than to restore their independence.

It defies common sense that the government is creating committees to negotiate with Anglophones, while government apologists take to the airwaves to deny the existence of a problem the government claims it wants to solve. This most certainly, is not the way to solve the Anglophone problem. It must be stated unequivocally that threats of intimidation and brimstone on Anglophones can only harm the very cause of national unity which the government is seeking to advance. In real terms, the committee meetings underscore the yawning disconnect between government’s ostrich-like grandstanding and bad faith towards Anglophones. The pig-headed effort to address grievances specific to lawyers and teachers outside the gamut of the Anglophone problem indicates the Francophone regime is stuck in the past. You cannot use yesterday’s solutions to solve today’s problems. It will not work.

Biya can no longer pretend not to understand that Anglophones want a dialogue to discuss their future and the government should be under no illusion about the explosive potentialities and danger to national unity, posed by the Anglophone problem. It appears the President seems more preoccupied with the ceremonial aspects of his job and has lost sight of the reasons Cameroonians elected him. Biya must understand that as an employee of the Cameroonian people, he has a constitutional obligation to listen to grievances from every section of the country and to address them. Military force will solve the Anglophone problem and history offers valuable lessons to that effect.

No word can be too strong to condemn the overwhelming force against peaceful Anglophone protests and the extra-judicial killing of Anglophones. The ongoing militarization of Anglophone towns smacks of a deliberate attempt to escalate the situation. In due course, Anglophones will be compelled to respond to the provocation by meeting force with force in legitimate self-defence. Let no one be fooled that Anglophones will stand idly by and watch soldiers shoot and kill them like game. When push eventually comes to shove, the jackboots on the streets of Anglophone towns will become an army of occupation and legitimate reprisal targets. The soldiers might have all the weapons of mass destruction, but Anglophones own their towns; master the terrain and outnumber the invaders and with history on their side, they will overcome. So Quo Vadis?

With negotiation now at an impasse, and the strikes poised to continue, there is a sense of foreboding in the horizon. Obviously, the government will continue to preach dialogue, while deploying brigandage and executive lawlessness to suffocate the protests. Already, Anglophones are endangered species against whom the might and resources of the state are being deployed. Cameroonians of conscience, including Francophones are apprehensive of the Gestapo tactics and invidious persecution of Anglophones; fearing the country is gradually receding to the transmutation trajectory of a civil war. This should worry the president.

The government’s refusal to dialogue with Anglophones is nothing but a manifestation of the culture of arrogance and impunity that has been the modus operandi of successive Francophone governments from Ahidjo to Paul Biya. Regrettably, Biya’s failure to show leadership by taking ownership of the Anglophone problem is a pointer to the abysmal level of the political leadership in the country and its immaturity. The Anglophone case is predicated on the force of the argument and the government’s recourse to the argument of force is a meaningless show of crude power. It is bewildering because it is happening under a supposedly democratic government. It is also ironic because democracy has inbuilt institutional mechanisms, both formal and informal, for addressing differences and conflicts. Interestingly, the accommodation of dissent is a fundamental element in any democracy.

Cameroon’s greatest strength is her diversity. It should never be denied. Without doubt, there are things Cameroonians in their linguistic and ethnic differentiation have as common values that should be the basis for their unity and strength. To paraphrase former US President Bill Clinton, in a different context, there is nothing wrong with Cameroon that cannot be corrected by what is right with Cameroon. All Biya needs to do is get Cameroonians together; give them the opportunity to chart a new way forward, and rediscover those binding ethos of the nation and why it profits all of us to be Cameroonians. The Anglophone problem is a ticking time bomb that requires presidential leadership and political will to defuse. The President can continue to ignore the problem at the nation’s peril.

*Ekinneh Agbaw-Ebai is a Public Intellectual and graduate of Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government, where he was Managing Editor of the Harvard Journal of African-American Public Policy. A former Research Analyst for Freedom House, he is a Consultant and lives in Boston, USA. Talk back at ekinneh@yahoo.com