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« Amnesty International 2006 Cameroon Human Rights Report | Main | Dual Citizenship (I): Time for a Long Overdue National Debate »

May 26, 2006

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Nga Adolph

We keep wasting our time with sycophantic analysis.Its appalling to see how this ill of stigmatisation is so evident in our society.That people have already brandished Ni John Fru Ndi as the brain behind the incident in Yaoundé shows how shortsighted many people are.Isn't it a possibility that the government and even 'black hands' within the Ngwasiri faction might also have a hand in the macabre act so as to brandish him as the culprit and to weep up sympathy amongst the Cameroonian masses.People rush into conclusions when investigations haven't even commenced.
Many Cameroonians imagine that things are going to change by 'Democratic means'.Ask the people's of Senegal who are now enjoying democracy and they will tell you how even during the era of the 'Sopi' movement of Abdoulaye Wade they had to wade in bloodshed.President Wade was accused several times of cutting secret deals with the regime even became Minister without a portfolio.The 'sopi' movement even suffered splits and violence but eventually it came victorious in the presidential elections of 2000 after languishing in the opposition for more than a quarter of a century.Cameroonians always imagine that democracy will come on a platter of gold.We are going to be witnesses of more of such incidents in the future. ALUTA CONTINUA.

NGA ADOLPH.
LEUVEN_BELGIUM.


Ambe johnson

Mr.Adolph.in politics and other walks of life,there is something known as "moral responsibility". That is why when a minister swindles money, we accuse his party the CPDM or his president, paul biya;or when an SDO in some far away division rigs elections, the blame falls on Biya'slap.These are basic rules of politics everywhere in the world.

The thugs who committed murder in yaounde were definitely not ordered to do so by Fru Ndi, but they were trying to promote or protect his faction of the SDF. in that regard, Fru ndi bears the moral responsibility for what happened. So, those shining the spotlight on Fru are right on the money.The criminal responsibility is not his to bear, but the political and moralresponsibility is all his. The same principle would have applied if the murder had been committed by ngwasiri supporters.

nforsama

We can't jump into conclusions just yet.Coz even the CPDM is probably not out of this game.We all know politics is a very dirt games.So there is nothing as clean politics nor clean democracy.Not even in the United states where they are claiming and talking of taking democracy to other countries of the world.I would rather we wait for the final investigations to be out then we will know who carries the blame for this murder.Cameroonians have come a long way but i am sure they have a longer way to go if we must have democray in Cameroon.Dear readers freedom is not free at all.There is always a price to pay.It did not start today.One thing that remains certain is that those who kill shall be held accountable some day.Killing will surely never end even in advanced democracies it still happens talk less of underdevelod countries.Well lets wait and see.I will be surprise if the hand of the CPDM is not in this mess.

Muchu Suh

It's outrageous that such atrocities are still taking place in Cameroon in the 21 st century. Cameroonians, irrespective of their political inclinations must feel disgust.It's obvious that all major political players in the country, not just the warring SDF factions, have a motive. We must all exercise restrain, for hasty judgements and accusations can only fuel the situation. Investigations must be carried out and those responsible for this heinous crime must be held accountable. Does the Judiciary have the independence that is required to exercise neutrality in this matter? If the answer isn't a resounding YES, then we must worry about the political, social and economic stability of this country in the nearest future.

Emah

Nobody is Above the law.

Apart from the inhouse rangling. the issue was taken to court. I decision was tentatively reached
that both Parties in the impass should be on a hold.

If we recognise laws of the land, was it not reasonable to "respect" that law if you think you have the support and a ligitimate leader?

When we make ourselves infallable, the results can not be different from what we see. Is it possible that, you can be "right" against 30 or 40 people who say almost the same thing at different times and circumstances? Is possible but what is the probability of "RIGHTNESS"?

Ambe Johnson is very right about Moral responsibility, be it Ngwasiri, Fru Nid or who ever and the author of the above article has just written and analyse issues that should be food for thought for us ALL

Nga Adolph

Dear Mr Ambe,
While agreeing with you that somebody must bear the responsibility for the macabre act,be it the criminal or moral responsibility,it will be very simplistic, dangerous and unethical for professionals such as journalists to lay accusing fingers at a particular camp.I was lashing at journalists who rush to write just anything simply because they want their articles to be read. I will eventually believe that he has a moral responsibility only after an Official Investigation has probbed into the happenings in Yaoundé and concluded that those who carried out the act were pro_Fru Ndi militants.Its possible for any politician to bribe criminals with money and order them to carry out such an act so as to taint the public image of his rival.In no circumstance must the responsibility(criminal or moral) of an act be placed on anybody's shoulders without ample proves(beyond reasonable doubt)that he/she bears such a responsibility.
You give the impression that moral responsibilty particularly in this case can easily be proven.Ask yourself the question; Who stands to gain in all of this?You must take into consideration the political atmosphere which is reigning within the SDF party as of this moment.Anything is possible and there is no end in sight into the viciousness and chameleonic traits of politicians be they on any of the side of the political divide.


NGA ADOLPH,
LEUVEN_BELGIUM.

Nga Adolph

Dear Mr Ambe,
While agreeing with you that somebody must bear the responsibility for the macabre act,be it the criminal or moral responsibility,it will be very simplistic, dangerous and unethical for professionals such as journalists to lay accusing fingers at a particular camp.I was lashing at journalists who rush to write just anything simply because they want their articles to be read. I will eventually believe that he has a moral responsibility only after an Official Investigation has probbed into the happenings in Yaoundé and concluded that those who carried out the act were pro_Fru Ndi militants.Its possible for any politician to bribe criminals with money and order them to carry out such an act so as to taint the public image of his rival.In no circumstance must the responsibility(criminal or moral) of an act be placed on anybody's shoulders without ample proves(beyond reasonable doubt)that he/she bears such a responsibility.
You give the impression that moral responsibilty particularly in this case can easily be proven.Ask yourself the question; Who stands to gain in all of this?You must take into consideration the political atmosphere which is reigning within the SDF party as of this moment.Anything is possible and there is no end in sight into the viciousness and chameleonic traits of politicians be they on any of the side of the political divide.


NGA ADOLPH,
LEUVEN_BELGIUM.

Israel

It saddens the mind to see that 16 years after all the toilling and pains taking excercise to instil some sanity in our shaky political set up, people's lives are lost just at a twinkle. Blames are attributed to the left like to the right. But who is at the cetre stage to benefit from this 'infighting'.
Where is the administration and the forces of law and order? Our courts are not independent. Investigations which we are told are underway, When the results of such investigations shall be made public, nobody can tell.
Let all the forces of the SDF put brains together and storm rather than pierce hearts that does not only tarnish the image of the Chairman, the party but the nation at large.
Lets wake up from sleep. Its day break in Africa. Let there be peace for social democracy to reign.God safe SDF

Eboule

The Truth is this.

The SDF under Fru Ndi can never rule Cameroon. Take note, UNDER Fru Ndi.

The time Fru Ndi COULD have been president of Cameroon is PASSED. Crucify me for saying this, but your conscience gives you the answer.

A political party NOT waxing commanding popularity even in the few provinces, Littoral, Northwest,Southwest, West that it claims to have supporters, thinks of winning elections nationally even in a democratic and transparent elections baffles me. Where is the position of the Grand north and North, East and South provinces etc. Do they matter?

Above is when you want Anglophones to be with LRP. If anybody(Anglophone) thinks that,an Anglophone not "commanding" support amongst the francophone majority can win an election in democratically transparent elections in Cameroon, then is a dream too far off target. Since democracy is a game or majority.

For me, the true Anglophone solution could come from SCNC,following the steps (even though at times confusing)and the recent happenings in Serbia and Montenegro and the ongoing Zanziba issue in Tanzania. SDF doesn't realise and recognise openly that there is an "Anglophone Problem". Meanwhile you and me know there is one. Those who have and still benefiting from the CPDM say there is no Anglophone problem( Chief Endeley), some do think there is, (Nfor Ngala).

The way forward Dear Southern Cameroonians, is a strong Unifying SCNC, pushing forward at LEAST for a referandum for self determinations.

But as in this present "UNION". Is not yet time for an Anglophone president and the Anglophone problem will have no solution in the Union.

Correct me if I am wrong

Lloney Monono

Literature on leadership postulates that, transactional and transformational leaders are required at different points of an organisation’s life. Further, organisations may sometimes drift and lose their way on account of the wrong type of leaders at the helm.

Leadership is also about setting an example and practicing what you preach. SDF preaches change therefore it must be seen to seek and welcome change within. Thus, I concur with the editor of this site, SDF desperately needs change if it wants to avoid being seen as stale, static and stagnant.

Nga Adolph

Every time I hear some of my fellow compatriots speaking, particularly when talking about the possiblity of the SDF party taking over power,I get the image of a people who sit back and imagine that politics is child's play.When was the advent of multipartism in Cameroon? Exactly 16 years ago.Take a look all around Africa,particularly in those countries where the opposition eventually came to power after decades of dictatorship and you will realise that democracy will never be given on a platter of gold neither will it come as expediently as many will wish it to come like a space shuttle from Mars.
From Senegal with Abdoulaye Wade passing through Kenya's Mwai Kibaki to South Africa's ANC,these people and parties had to spend not less than a quarter of a century in the opposition.In Cameroon,we want the fast and the quick without realising that democracy entails crude experience.
Those who think that,John Fru Ndi has outlived his usefulness then let them propose to us any leader who can rouse the masses and stand as a real challenge to the incumbent Paul Biya.As of now there's nobody,all the others will never be able to measure with him.We need a strong leader and nobody in Cameroon, has yet proven that he can be one.Only then shall we flock behind such a leader.

Eboule

Nga Adolph,

Must Africa go through all what United states of America had gone through in the 17th century before emerging from the economic and political crisis?

I think the luck and we should infact use it is that, we have a scenerio to learn from and not to make the same mistakes. Why should we in the 21st century repeat a mistake that was happening in the 20th century.

Saying that Fru Ndi, is the only leader we now have in the opposition, I will like to differ very far away from you. Some people say leaders are born, some say they are made. Depending on which you consider Fru Ndi to be(made or Born), he already has a successsor. let me tell you why you don't know that person yet.

Just Like Biya in the CPDM, there are so many capable Cameroonians of infact GOODWILL who canbest replace him, but who dares do that at this point in time? Same to in "former"Unified SDF. Who call talk? If you dare say anything or spear head anything, you are sidelined by the famous article you know. So how will that leader emerge without fear of possible "elimination".

Now there is this idea we cameroonians don't understand and is what decieves so many people and infact fru Ndi of his followership and then his behaviour. The issue of Militaints and Sympathizers which many call grassroots.

Mr Adolph, I guess by now you know the difference. Anybody who says, Fru Ndi has a grassroot support begining as early as 1998, then that person is not been truthfull to himself. And I am afraid this is where Fru Ndi has been misled. If you command some local support from your province of origin, you can't talk about National leader at this age.

If you are in Cameroon, I challenge you to walk on the streets, make a sample study of Fru Ndi's rating, the Truth is that you will be amazed.

Now Mr Nga, tell me just some few things, Fru Ndi as a person and leader of (former)SDF has done in the recent 6 years in Cameroon, worthy of NOTE?

Teach me brother

Dr. Louis Mbua

The main problem with the politics of Cameroon is that nobody knows where they come from and where they are going to. The SDF has no mission statement. Same to with the CPDM. All the leaders are interested in is Power with or without the people; and with or without a mission to the nation -- a recipe to a failed state status. This lack of vision leads to violence. And violence we will have in a country where greed, power, thievery and oppression is the norm.

Moreover, SDF believes they may take power in Cameroon before resolving the Southern Cameroons issue. This, clearly, is a pie in the sky delusion. The remotest possibility of any English-Speaking Cameroonian running Cameroon is AFTER an internationally accepted solution for Southern Cameroons viz-a-viz LRC. SDF is thus but a distraction. The status quo will stay. No Anglophone in the Finance, Defence, President, Home Affairs. Stop wasting your time at the SDF or CPDM. Or at least be realistic and accept that you are second-class citizens and then press for solutions to make you first class in Cameroon as all Cameroonians.

Nga Adolph

In one of his State of the Union addresses Abraham Lincoln said:"Anyman can sit on the fence of neutrality and ignorance and live with the demented idea that he can become a leader.But fellow countrymen,the test of steal is in the heat of the furnace".When I look at the panoply of people who think they can stand as an alternative to the present political dispensation,I feel like having a good laugh.Its a joke.
None of these 'leaders'in question,I mean none is capable of winning an election even within their native constituencies and thus showing to the Cameroonian masses that they can take on the whole country.Even Hon. Jua couldnot win the primaries to NEC in his own Boyo.If Sam Nujoma of Namibia could lead SWAPO for decades it was because he had the backing of his Ovambo peoples.If Mwai Kibaki and Maitre Abdoulaye Wade could lead their parties for decades and eventually become a reference for democracy in Africa, it was because they had the support of their people's.
It will be very dangerous for the Cameroonian opposition to continue having a successive change of weak leaders in the name of 'democracy'.Take a leaf from the leadership tussle within the Congolese(Kingshasa) opposition.To those who think that the SDF party has derailed from its original mission,wouldn't it be better for them to quit the party and form a movement that will better serve the masses than to remain in the same party whom they think cannot deliver?I will answer that question by saying that the'dissidents'in the SDF party know one thing for sure;that if they form a different party their political careers will become history, so the best way will be to continue under the SDF banner so as to enjoy the popularity which the party enjoys as the first opposition party in Cameroon.Also,they know that staying within the SDF fold will open them up to the subventions which the party benefits from.
Ngwasiri is the first to accuse Ni John of cutting secret deals with the CPDM.Where are the millions of fcfa's that were given to him by the Fundation Jean Jaures to organise a conference of SDF councillors,mayors and parliamentarians in Douala in 1997.He has never accounted for the money.The same man who with Ben Muna tried to force the hands of John Fru Ndi for the SDF party to join government because of the juicy job of Minister.I pity those who are being led into the snare of these two.They will come to realise their real intentions in the near future.Let anybody quote me.The 'test of the furnace' will be during the upcoming municipal and parliamentary elections next year.We shall then know the popularity of the Ngwasiri led faction.
Let this go forth,we in the diaspora shall keep Ni John Fru Ndi on the corridors of power till death do us part.ALUTA CONTINUA.

NGA ADOLPH,
LEUVEN_BELGIUM.

Eboule

Nga Adolph,

Are you speaking for yourself or for those in the diaspora?

Hear you talk "Ngwasiri is the first to accuse Ni John of cutting secret deals with the CPDM" Is this True that he was the first?

Look at the leaders you quoted above. where they popular in thier party all along? the Answer is YES YES and YES. Can you also say this about Fru Ndi in the 90's and after 2000? The Answer, rings a bell in your heart.

You are in Belguim and in Belguim you can't talk for the people there, so General statements like WE IN THE DIASPORA, could that be a campaigne already?

Speak for yourself, for now i see no moral responsibility in you talking for the majority.

Abongwa

Cameroon Tribune Editorial by SHEY Peter MABU [31/05/2006]

Selfless Politicking

When African nations in the 1990s embraced the reinstatement of multi-party politics after a queasy experiment with the single political party system, some observers believed the change would be short-lived. Kinship ties in African nations they feared, were still so strong that constructive opposition despite ideological differences could easily be sacrificed on the altar of regional loyalty and personality cults. However, despite such fears, lovers of peace and custodians of good governance prayed for survival of the timely change.

Today we praise some political institutions for proving that in nation building, genuine statesmanship and stewardship demand love, tolerance, cooperation and respect of human rights despite our political leanings, but deeply regret that retrograde tendencies continue to betray our political maturity.

What happened in Yaoundé last Friday is inadmissible. That is why the masterminds of such action in defence of political interest cannot claim to be politically mature or committed to national objectives.

If Diboule Gregoire lost his life while confronting an aggressor at his home or elsewhere, compatriots might not be as disturbed as they have been since his death. But, what a regret that at a time when militants should within the law be using their political associations to forge ahead in democratic practice, they opt for political greed and violence, tear themselves apart and even eliminate those who do not agree with them!

Is it not politically stressful that after one and a half decades of multi-partyism, we can hardly boast of a strong and united opposition party that opposes but is constructive within itself and cooperative with other political groups in response to the exigencies of nation building?

What a challenge indeed that despite the rationale of peace and collective efforts for economic recovery, some of us still do not seem to realise the importance of peace and stability which instil such a scenario! Yet, at this time that we feverishly copy the political and economic systems of the Western world, we pay little attention to the secrets of their success stories.

As we rejoice over economic endeavours and achievements despite global constraints, we should bear in mind that success in all attempts demands peace, tolerance, patriotism and relinquishment of that which is inadmissible as far as political stability is concerned. We must commit ourselves selflessly to what brings honour to all and not, the protection of our political interest, despite their costs on innocent citizens and the image of the nation at large.

http://www.cameroon-tribune.net/article.php?lang=Fr&oled=j31052006&idart=35984&olarch=

Ebongue

In an interview to the French language Nouvelle Expression, retired colonel Chi Ngafor, head of the "SDF Vanguards" says the following:

"on that friday, I dispatched SDF vanguards, on orders from my superiors, to prevent the holding of Ben Muna's convention."

COMMENT: The violence and subsequent deaths stem from this preventive deployment of the vanguards. So please, let us stop playing the ostritch and accept that this death was an internal SDF matter and not some machination by Biya regime or the CPDM.

Once the SDF asked security forces to deal with the Ngwasiri faction, they should have left the Muna convention to fall or stand on its own merits rather than try to physically prevent its holding.

And if, Colonel Chi is right that he was acting on orders of the "hierarchy", then Fru Ndi's reponsibility is not only moral and political, but also criminal.

Here are the colonel's exact words to the question "Justement que savez-vous de ce meurtre?"

"Je n'en sais pratiquement rien. A la date indiquée, ce vendredi là, j'avais envoyé les "vanguards" du Social democratic front [service d'ordre du parti] sur instruction de ma hiérarchie, pour empêcher la tenue du congrès de Me Muna. Vous savez que depuis quelque temps ils occupent illégalement le secrétariat du Sdf à Yaoundé. Je me suis plaint à plusieurs reprises par nombre de correspondances au gouverneur [du Centre] et au préfet [du Mfoundi], pour leur demander de faire libérer le secrétariat [siège du Sdf dans le Centre, situé à Olezoa, non loin du lieu du crime]. Malheureusement, ces autorités n'ont rien fait. Mais avec l'annonce du congrès bis du Sdf, la hiérarchie de mon parti m'avait demandé de faire occuper les lieux pour les empêcher de s'y installer. Ils avaient en effet dit que dans le cas où on les empêchait de tenir leur congrès au Palais des Congrès, ils allaient le faire au secrétariat. Il s'agissait de s'installer sur les lieux le plus tôt possible..."

Ade

For another perspective on the ongoing SDF sage, check out Ntemfac Ofege's website for an interesting and controversial interview that he granted to the chronicle newspaper titled: “SDF: Sixteen Wasted Years under Fru Ndi” - http://www.postwatchmagazine.com/

Kilian Asangana

Hey, this is a cool site. Adolph old friend and classmate, I will be reacting to you later. Peace

fofung louis wakum

I LOVE NI JUHN FUR NDI., nobody can tell.
Let all the forces of the SDF put brains together and storm rather than pierce hearts that does not only tarnish the image of the Chairman, the party but the nation at large.Lets wake up from sleep. Its day break in Africa. Let there be peace for social democracy to reign.God safe SDF

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