Biyaism Without Biya? The Battle for Regime Change in Cameroon

Dibussi Tande

"Evidently I am for regime change... but I look beyond that change. I sincerely believe that we can have 'Biyaism' without Biya." Celestin Monga.

After close to a year of subtle and not-so-subtle calls by members of the ruling CPDM for an amendment of Article 6(2) of the constitution of Cameroon which imposes presidential term limits, President Paul Biya finally took a stance on the debate last December 31. During his nationwide end-of-year address, Paul Biya backed the opponents of term limits by arguing that: “In fact, there are arguments for a revision, particularly of Article 6 which indeed imposes a limitation of the people’s will, a limitation which is out of tune with the very idea of democratic choice.”

Expectedly, the President’s declaration, which will most definitely put the amendment process in motion, has generated a firestorm of protest among Cameroonians, even within his own CPDM. Understandably, most Cameroonians are fed up with the Biya presidency which has lasted for a quarter of a century, and desperately want someone else to step in and, hopefully, put the country back on track, politically and economically.

Implicit in the arguments against the amendment of Article 6(2) is the belief that it is actually possible for regime change to occur in Cameroon in 2011 within the framework of the current constitution and current political system. I believe that this faith is largely misplaced. Today, Paul Biya does not simply represent an individual – himself – whose disappearance from the political scene will automatically lead to the kind of change that Cameroonians dream about. He also represents a deeply-entrenched political system which has the potential to survive his departure, that is, if no major systemic change takes place before then.

This political system is what some have referred to as “Biyaism” – a prebendal and predatory system where rules and institutions governing the polity are heavily skewed in favor of the incumbent; a pseudo-democratic political system characterized by political pluralism and authoritarian continuity where (rigged) elections are organized not to inject new blood into the political class, but to give the President and his regime a veneer of legitimacy. It is a system which actually thrives on institutional corruption and the ethnitization of political life, and maintains a firm grip on the country by relying heavily on the repressive structures inherited from the one-party era.

Thus, while it is understandable that the majority of Cameroonians want to see the last of Paul Biya, he is, nonetheless, just part of a much larger puzzle. “Biyaism” is, in my opinion, the greatest obstacle to the democratization and the establishment of the rule of law in Cameroon.

Proponents of maintaining the constitutional status quo argue, however, that Biya is the main obstacle to regime change, and that with him out of the way in 2011, the playing field will be leveled, making it possible for a new leader to emerge, most probably from the ranks of the opposition. This, I believe, is based on yet another misreading of Biyaism, which has elevated electoral manipulation into a science, and controls the entire electoral process from beginning to end – including picking out the winner. As the NDI report on the 1992 presidential elections clearly stated:

...President Biya and his government retained control over the appointment of every election official, issued every electoral decree... established all vote counting procedures, staffed every electoral bureaucracy and strictly controlled governmental release of partial results - for which no provision existed in the electoral code. The result was a flawed and heavily rigged electoral process.

The manipulated electoral process has failed the people of Cameroon. A democratic political system requires political leaders to contest elections fairly and to work within the political system whether they win or lose." Absence of such as system "Cameroon is likely to regress into authoritarian rule." (November 1992).

12 years later in 2004, it was the turn of the Commonwealth to call for:

...an electoral process which is truly independent of all contesting political parties and not subject to direction or abuse by the government of the day" but "At present the whole electoral process is run by, and the key decisions are taken by, the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation and its agents in the local Administration. This is the principal obstacle to the holding of credible elections.

It is obvious therefore that if left unchanged, the existing system, which has ensured that Biya and the CPDM win every single election organized since the reinstitution of multipartyism - with ever increasing margins of victory -will, in the unlikely event that Biya steps down, also ensure that Biya’s hand-picked candidate wins in 2011. If that scenario comes to pass, then Biyaism will still be very much around, albeit with a new face.                               

So how do Cameroonians make sure that a new political system is in place by 2011 which will establish true political pluralism, viable democratic institutions, the separation of powers and the rule of law, and a transparent and fair electoral process? This, in my opinion, is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, challenge facing the forces of change in Cameroon today.

I therefore agree with those who have argue that a constitutional revision may not be such a bad thing after all, that is a complete overhaul of the 1996 constitution and not just cosmetic changes meant for King Biya alone. Not only is the 1996 constitution a poorly written and short-sighted document, it is so cut off from Cameroonian realities that some of its clauses will never see the light of day.

To conclude, making sure that the Biya regime does not scrap constitutional term limits is a legitimate fight. But it is just one battle. The war will be won only when the political system is completely overhauled to give birth to a truly democratic polity. Once such a system is in place, then the issue of regime change will become largely insignificant – with or without Biya…

Comments

[Mike]

Hmm, I never really gave thought to the "bigger picture", i.e., ensuring that the system is changed along with kicking out Biya. This is definitely food for thought for the opposition which might finding itself crying again in 2011 about "stolen victory" avec ou sans Biya...

[pa njakri]

The guantlet has been thrown down for us all.

After almost 50 years following the letdown of the fake independence in 1960 that saw with french support the installation of the perverse system that has mutated to the monster we have today, we risk implosion and slow death as a country and as a people if urgent action is not taken. It is not unimaginable to see Cameroon become a non state like some of its neighbors like as Republique Centrafricaine. We are gradually are progressively marginalising ourselves through political and economic regression and stagnation led by an elite so shortsightedly selfish, it is incapable of seeing its roel in its own suicide. The shame is that they would drag poor inncoent citizens into this grave and sinkhole the are constructing call cameroon that used to brag of being 'Africa in minature' and that today would attract only the most intrepid of visitors.

Where do we go form now and from here?

Regular politics has been reduced to a ridiculous endeavor that has exposed the venality of all actors in its. Biyaism is a the only creed that the last 2-3 generations have grown up with as the way we understand civic values.

With a regime that manifest such virulent self hate and detestation of its own people, is it any wonder that we are totally devoid of basic civic spirit and values? that we have such low regard for each other that the only means of commanding respect is to mimick the rulers by either parading money, trapping of money and power?

What means are there at the disposal of change agents? Guns, the ballot box, mass rallies, coup d'etats, ?

[Ma Mary]

I had no idea that Biya had an -ism, apart from nepotism, tribalism, staying in power at all costs and maintaining the colonization of the Southern Cameroons. Is he motivated by any higher principle? If he is, he does not show it. Like a lot of Camerounese raised in gallic modes of thought, he places a lot of stock on notions such as prestige and elitism sans substance. Service is not part of their framework.

[Tata Nfor]

Hello Mr Dibussi,

I want to thank you very heartily for having taken this bold initiative to inform the world on momentous Socio-economic, political and cultural issues that touch on the lives of Cameroonians-Anglophones and Francophones alike.

The issue at stake is not the modification of Art6(2) of the Cameroon constitution but the fact that there is no credible,disinterested and independent electoral body that can oversee elections in Cameroon from the registration of voters to the publication of results.Mr Biya is fully aware of the fact that if such a body is put in place, HE WILL NEVER WIN ANY ELECTION IN THIS COUNTRY.That is why he has consistently resisted calls from the civil society and opposition polical parties to set up an Independent Electoral Commission.Even the So called ELECAM which is surposed to be put in place in less than six months from now will be nothing but a window dressing because its members will certainly be preoccupied with paying allegiance to their PATRON, You certainly know who am refering to here.

[kabila]

after reading all the stuff here i am happy that there exist people who understands our country. infact, iam just thinking of the day this old crook Mr Biya will leave the presidency.but let cameroonians bear in mind that to get something you fight for it.if we fold our arms everyday and complain it will never change. as the days go by, mr biya's stay keeps increasing. let the political parties come to an understanding. let the people of cameroon understand their rights. look at what the forces of law and oder are doing everyday. this is mr biya's regime.
infact i an tired of this country. let cameroonians understand that 2011 is the last limit of mr biya's regime and let us be prepared to deal with him be it by hook or by crook. he has to be made to understand that that is not his home. i do not know what is wrong with african countries. and all the supports comes from the western world but look at how the western world are organized. they try to put africa into chaos and they are the first people to complain calling africans names. the presence of mr biya is just the will of the western wolrd. they are there to cheat and destroy. we have a problem in cameroon because we believe in the see, eat and satisfy policy. when we are belly-full we forget about our problems and tomorrow. please let us fight ,if we have given a long rope to my biya to draw let it be till 2011 and also end in 2011. thanks

[Nga Adolph]

"I sincerely believe that we can have Biyaism without Biya".This is a strange twist of reasoning coming from one of the Father Figures of Cameroonian opposition.Celestin Monga one of the great and respected voices who vigorously defied and denounced the system in the 1990's and who with Pius Njawé and Mboua Massock Ma Batalong "le père des villes mortes" had the effontery to raise their voices above the generally condescending and complascent brouhaha of Cameroonians at a very dangerous epoch in our political history.

The question to ask Mr Monga is what are the merits of "Biyaism" for Cameroonians to want to continue in it after Biya's purported departure? How can "Biyaism" which has stagnated Cameroonian society over the past quarter of a century in all its facets be raised to a "doctrine"?Is "Biyaism" not itself the propagation of the cult of personality which has been the bane in African politics since independence?No Biya but a Cameroon with stinking corruption,embezzlement,lethal tribalism,inertia,social and economic decay,etc.I think Mr Monga's long absence from the country has sapped that fiery spirit that characterised him in the early 90's and distanced him from the reality on the ground.

The problem is not only doing away with Biya as a person but with a system,a mentality,a way of life which is inimical and antagonistic to the well being of Cameroonians and which threatens the very existence of the country and its institutions.If Mr Monga is advocating for "le changement dans la continuité" then I consider it a joke in bad taste.The Cameroonian society after Biya has to be radically and completely overhauled to do away with the demons of the past which if not buried entirely will haunt us in aeternum.It will be like advocating for "Mobutuism" or "Eyademaism" or "Saddamism".

Nga Adolph,
Leuven_Belgium

[Olivier Tsapi]

Hi Adolph,

You apparently did not understand Monga's statement which ties in with your own analysis. I believe he is alerting Cameroonians to the fact that asking the "Biya must go" is not enough if they really want true change in their country. In other words, if Cameroonians focus all their energies on Biya leaving without looking at the system that Biya created, then we will end up having an Ahmadou Ali, and Owona, etc., as our next president - and that will be "Biyaism without Biya". So I think that once again, Monga is demonstrating the kind of vision and foresight that made him one of the key forces of change in the 1990s. BTW, read his new book "un Bantou a Washington" if you can, and you will realise that the man is still a force to reckon with.

[Nga Adolph]

Hi Olivier,
I still donot understand.He says,"Evidently I am for regime change...but I look beyond that change".

My take on this is that he is for the departure of Biya point blank.Then when he says "but I look beyond that change," yes u are right here for I understand he advocates not only for Biya's departure but for the complete overhaul of the system.That the change shouldn't only be limited to Biya leaving power but for a societal change,a change from a system Biya has succesfully instilled in the Cameroonian society,people and psychic.At this point that's in line with what I said above.

But what looks to me as incongruous is when he says "I SINCERELY BELIEVE THAT WE CAN HAVE BIYAISM WITHOUT BIYA".Does he "sincerely" believe that we can have an Ahmadou Ali and Owona etc as next president as u say?

That he "SINCERELY" believes or in other words "honestly believes" that we can continue in the system "BIYAISM" after Biya's departure.That's my interpretation of it.Or am I gettng something wrong here?
It is that last statement of his that I believe throws a dark veil on his positioning.

I followed the recent interview he gave to a number of french tabloids including "Mutations" and my impression was that the man is still as outspoken as he was but much of the "fire" in him has been quenched probably due to time(age) and space(distance).Will certainly read "Un Bantou à Washington".

Nga Adolph,
Leuven_Belgium.

[Innocent Ndifor Mancho]

Biyaism can be used to describe the political practices of the Biya regime, their mode of conduct and execution of national politics. The major highlights of Biyaism are absenteeism; embezzlement of state funds; the reputation of taking the negative innitiave to be classified as poor and highly indebted; bribery and corruption and above all constitutional and electoral tailoring.

For 25 years Biyaism has been enshrined in every fabric of the Cameroonian community. The decline in morals is comparable to the dilapidation of national insitutions. The very bad roads and liquidating state entreprises are visible relics of Biyaism. The killing of armless, defensely children and civilians by police officers and the national gendammarie are hallmarks of Biyaism. Even children as young as ten know how to give and receive "choko".

Biyaism is built around the institution of the president of the republic and flows down through to all other services.Biaism however, is not limited to the person of Mr Biya. Though I believe that Mr. Biya must go, changing Biya is not the regime change that Cameroon needs. Regime change in Cameroon requires an over haul of the entire state machinery-a complete revamping of the executive, legislative and judicial systems. If regime change is limited to changing the president then I am afraid Biyaism will endure even long after Biya is gone. Changing Biya without changing the laws and without embarking on a vigorous campaign to change mentalities and work towards increase social justice, will simple be the proverbial putting of new wine in old wine skins.

Can Biyaism continue after Biya? Yes, I sincerely believe Biyaism can continue after Biya. But should it continue? Should be talk about “changement dans la continuité?”

Sincerely, I have never understood the concept of change in continuity. Does it actually mean anything? I suppose change means CHANGE and CONTINUITY means continue. Change in continuity is just another catch phrase, high sounding propaganda coined by proponents of Biyaism. How many times have we heard of rigor and moralization; new deal, grand ambitions, national integration, unity in diversity? Today it is change in continuity or is it continuity in change?

[Pa Njakri]

Mr Mancho has captured the essence of Monga's statements. I think the misunderstanding may come from the original translations of his statement. His point is clear, however, i.e.:

..the political, social and economic culture (what we are calling here "biyaism") that has been created, and propagated by the regime of biya is now so deeply rooted in our political and social system that with Biya out of the picture, either by death or old age, "biyaism", through the clones that have been created by the system will still continue to oppressed us--unless and unless, we get rid of them, either through free and transparent elections or through violence, as increasingly it is clear that this disgrace in the heart of Africa they have created out of our beloved Cameroon has to be stopped-by any means necessary...

The last part on change is my own spin I have given to Mongas's position. Celestin, from what I know personally and in his writing and speeches remains an uncompromising critic of this cunning mediocrity call paul biya and his mafia.

[The Southwesterner]

The people of the Cameroons are a strange set of folks i have to admit. Biya just did it again , this time around challenging us all to show what we got. Yes he just did that. Can we stand up to him? I kind of doubt if we got the backbone. I fear all efforts to build a new majority to stand up to this master survivalist might crumble. Why? because from both sides of the Mungo of the Cameroons , genuine change agents are lacking. Even the few who still exist are a bunch of leftwing old fashion populist like the Ekane Anicet, Mboua Massock, JF.Ndi etc. Their strategy thus far to tune folks on again is just not working.Cameroonians are really a strange set i have to once again admit. Guess what folks! we are in for a long time with Biyaism. The constitution will successfully be genetically modified. He will certainly carry 2011 with a landslide.Those clowns called the opposition will surely and certainly take part to legitimise his joke. As usual some of them will join the cabinet later in the name of peace and national unity etc. Others will stay out are still claim to speak on our behalf while at the same time eating behind our back.

However we choose to define that thing called Biyaism,we all are guilty for letting it get this far. It will engulf us all sooner or later. The virus of Biyaism is eating deep in the Cameroonian mind set. Its now installed in all aspect of Cameroonian life. The opposition and the greater majority of Biya Haters are as well followers and fans indirectly of Biyaism. Clergymen fine tune their language to make sure they do not fall out with the system in place. The civil society is just another estate that has not being spared. The press i fear is just another platford used intelligently by the Biyasist to spin us. Our traditional leaders , even the most neutral of them all have being forced to propel Biyaism inorder to succeed in the society a la maniere Biyaism.

So what will ever make a docile folk stand up and take its responsibility. Last year in Kumba and Abong Mbang young armless lads we shot by the police for protesting against AEL-SONEL. Not a single person in another town or province rose up in any show of support for those kids that we asking for simple energy to do their home work, iron their uniforms or listen to music and news. Prison officers went on strike and no one showed solidarity for their actions. Buea University students did same, they got no help from others. Everyone else was just a spectator. At the end of the day all this ended up as isolated incidences.I doubt if the present noises again the modification agenda will stop the process. The opposition and the civil society have never succeeded in their entire existence to make this government budge. Not once and i dont see that happening this time around. The people's legitimate rights to take this government on is the only option out there to save Cameroon from permanent Biyaism . The ball is now in their court. Biya is once again watching how his servants will react to another Bluff of his.Cameroonians should shut up and stop complaining is they cant stand up this time around to the bluff. If we do not like the system in place then we got two choices. Get ride of it now or keep up with it and shut the hell up.

[paulo laurent]

ALL THOSE CALLING CAMEROON,CAMEROON CAMEROON ARE BRAINWAHED.
IF ONLY SOME ONE WOULD REMIND THEM TO ALWAYS ADD FRENCH BEGFORE CAMEROON, AND BRITISH,WHEN REFERRING TO SOUTHERN CAMEROONS THEN, ALL ALL FACTS AND REASON ILL FALL IN LACE NATURALLY

[Nga Adolph]

Southwesterner,
Shakespeare in Julius Caesar says;"Cowards die many times before their deaths;
The valiant never taste of death but once".

Am completely in tandem with what you said above.I think Cameroonians are suffering from the generic psychosis called the "Stockholm Syndrome".A mental disease in which a victim(rape,child abuse,domestic abuse,hostage victims etc) becomes complacent,loyal and submissive to his abuser or oppressor.
In its political sense,Cameroonians have been "neutralised" to the point where the cowardly,docile traits in them and "fear syndrome" have completetly overshadowed their thinking capacity.Unable to raise their heads from their drunken stupor and stand like one man to face the tyrant of Etoudi.Instead prefer to play the ostrich."Le Cameroun est un ile de paix" or "Don't worry Biya will go one day" you will hear them 'parroting' their chicken_heartedness.
It's time for Cameroonians to fold their sleeves,leave 33 export bottles and football aside,deprive themselves of their sexual orgies for a while,go down and seize the streets,emulate the Ukrainian orange revolution,beat Biya at his own game and halt the maodification of the 1996 constitution.

Nga Adolph,
Leuven_Belgium.

[Dansk tidniningen]

Mr Nga Adolph,i do expect you to sit in your comfortable apartment wherever u are and post crab on the internet.When u are already to seize the streets and not expecting others to do it first.....i will then join you from there.

[Dansk tidniningen]

Mr Nga Adolph,i don,t expect you to sit in your comfortable apartment wherever u are and post crab on the internet.When u are ready to seize the streets and not expecting others to do it first.....i will then join you from there

[Nga Adolph]

Baldderdash!!!

Nga Adolph,
Leuven_Belgium.

[pa njakri]

Southwester or westerner is right on one key issue: the totral absence of any sense of solidarity among Cameroonians.

We have all been reduced to petty, mean self-centred, atomised and fragmented individuals guided solely by the "strong man help himself"..and "chop ah chop" philosophy. We are devoid of empathy for the suffering of others, which explains why all these isolated pitiful actions by frustrated students and workers can never be translated into a collective movement for change. We are mistrustful of each other and would not hesitate to betray even blood relatives if it means we would get a piece of the soya.

At this stage the regime does not need to do much to control us. We are so psychologically messed up, most of the damage is now self inflicted. It may require a proper trauma to get us out of this stupor of the walking dead.

[The Southwesterner]

Dansk tidniningen, i can bear with you in your above statement toward Adolph quote:
"Mr Nga Adolph,i don,t expect you to sit in your comfortable apartment wherever u are and post crab on the internet.When u are ready to seize the streets and not expecting others to do it first.....i will then join you from there "
Dansk, thats our present state of mind in the Cameroons. I dont find it in anyway strange. The Biya regime has been very successful so far to push Cameroonians to the point and corner in which they wanted them to be. In their desperate effort to stay and hang on to power, what they needed was just one simple message that they wanted to drive home which is " Biya will stay "
So therefore elections are just gimmicks to legitimise his stay and there is nothing you and i gonna do to change that status quo.Even my grandma who cares less about politics is very versed with the charade since the coming of multipartism. Hear her when i asked her on the eve of the last joke that went around for elections whether she intends to go vote. Her reply was short but said something about the state in which we find ourselves today. She said: "the elections means nothing because the winner is already known ". Pretty smart for an "illiterate" senior mama.

The point i am trying to drive home is this. The junta in place has now succeeded to impose itself on us . Cameroonians as usual are said to be God fearing , peace lovers , patient etc,etc,etc. A whole host of excuses to deny our docility and corrupt minded view of how a better society should be. The rule of the game right now is "winner takes all". A rush to be the next new "nouveau riche". Everyone thinks of his or her own small boutique. Our collective interest is a thing of the past.
The Biyaist have succesfully frustrated any effort to the emergence of a new progressive,nationalist and reform minded majority both in their party and the opposition. Time has being their most important tool to their game plan. They realised if the stayed on for a while, Cameroonians will be frustrated and somehow will look for someone to blame and point fingers at. The main opposition the SDF for example has seen over the years a series of its frontline and high profile stewarts leaving the front and going back to the CPDM fold. Other parties have not being spared this drama. For most who left the opposition to the Cpdm, the idea is to force change from within. Pretty shortsighted. Considering the fact moderates and reformist have not being able to initiate any change within the cpdm. Not even a single sub section of the party can boost of being the flagbearer of cpdm reformist agenda.
They expected that with time they could deliver on some of their promises to make good for past errors and in that way folks will not need the opposition and so therefore future elections could be easy to fight based on the visible changes as signs of good things to come. On this they are still falling far short. So the only last card left to throw is to impose themselves through any method at their disposal.
The people of the Cameroons do have one last chance to put an end to this circle of abuse. I understand the fear factor is something real to get over. The lessons of how regimes used brute force to stifle change is evident in Zimbabwe and Burma. Yet people power revolutions made it through in Georgia , Ukraine and former Yugoslavia under pretty militarised regimes and strong leaders like late Milosevic. Cameroonians need to do their own soul searching.
If the Biyaist get their way this time, i predict an "implosion". The present desperate gimmicks of Gideon Yossa and the Meka brothers, tells you dissent within the ranks of the armed forces is imminent. We might get what we least expect.

[Innocent Ndifor Mancho]

Over the year we have exhibited as Cameroonians, complacency in the way the political live of the country is run. As individuals we have each contributed to making Cameroon what it is today. In as much as I have castigated and blamed the essingan mafia for the trouble they have put the people of Cameroon through, I should nonetheless accept responsibility for my docility and role in that destruction.

A lot of times we have sat behind our desk, on our computers and poured out a venom and frustration on Biyaist and the essingan brotherhood. How many times have we asked ourselves what we failed to do when we had the time to do? In the 1990s when the heat of the debate was rife, when a great number of Cameroonians we willing to sacrifice their lives for nation, how many of us we standing beside to watch?

Danish Newspaper (Dansktidningen) I am among that group of people who sit behind their desk and type pages announcing the impending revolution. I accept the fact that several years ago, I thought Biya cannot stay there forever. I believed he will soon die and we'll get the change we all desire. Yes, I accept my own complacency and responsibility and sustaining him in power. I recognize my role in that and because i accept my responsibility I now know it is my duty to stand up and talk. We have spoken before and we will continue to talk. But the time is changing.

The question of change in Cameroon is not about apportioning blame. The new machinery developed by Biyaist is the "blame theory" which states simply that give your audience someone to blame for the woes and the fault will never be yours. At the micro level we as individuals have failed to examine ourselves and have turned to blame Biya and co for our woes whereas if we examined our souls we'll see our role in this decadence. Because Biya has understood the blame theory so well he has given Fru Ndi Muna to blame. The Ewondo man has to blame the Beti man and the Tupori man must blame the Fulani. The North westerner has got the South westerners to blame so has the Douala got the Bamilike to blame.

the new revolution for Cameroon requires that we all accept responsibility for sustaining the corruption and decadence in Cameroon. It is going to be difficult for some people to take that responsibility but remember that for every "choko" you gave you were putting a nail on the coffin. How many times did you bribe a police man for not carrying a national identity card? How much did you bribe the immigration service to get a passport? For all the bush fallers, how many times have you bribed customs at the port or the airport to claim your goods? How many times have your bribed the immigration police to enter or leave the country without a vaccination certificate? Did you condemn that friend, brother, cousin, or classmate who bribed their way into ENS and ENAM? We know them, we live with them, we drink with them and we know what they yet we don't report them, we don't condemn them.

A mass revolution requires a re-examination of our inner self. The individual will for change super cedes the political will. When as individuals we have that will to instigate change, even if the political will is not there. We can force that change to come.

Nga Adolph, I accept the fact that as Cameroonians we have allowed our frustration with the system to over ride our zeal and motivation to fight. I accept that we have resorted to inexplicable excuses why we don't have to fight. Yet we must understand that a wise man must not wait until his back is against the wall to start fighting. By the time you get to that wall, you might not even have room to move your fist.

Who is afraid of violence? Can you have omelets with breaking the eggs? You cannot build a house without a foundation. it is either we destroy to reconstruct or we let the house collapse on us and kill us.

Let history be our judge
Peace.

[Njie Martin]

While Cameroonians concentrate on Biya's departure come 20011, they should not loose track of holding him back to account for all the years of mismanagement and withholding Cameroonians from their right to freedom and prosperity. He simply wants to raise dust and disappear in thin air. Lets watch out for the crook!

[The Southwesterner]

At long last we now know the agenda according to the Biyaist. At long last what was only a rumour will see the light of day. The grand dossier is up for some kind of twisting to give our almighty king of kings, fon of fons, etc, more time to lord it over us.

While reading the course of events the week last from various online news oufits,i have now finally come to the conclusion this guys will come what may get their scheme into fruition. It will be imposed on us all. The bitter pill like it or not will be forced down our throats. From Douala we read how an attempt by Mboua Massock to begin a protest match was heavy handedly crushed. Buea, after an ecumenical service,the bishop of Buea - Rev. Bushu and the Moderator of the PCC- Rev.Nyansako led a march for peace and guess what they got an administrative warning for marching illegally.

All of this tells us the days ahead looks pretty rough. Cameroonians who overwhelmingly are against the status quo will surely wish to protest. The big question is whether they will succeed to creat a hold-up enough to bring the country to a standstill. Another question to ask is whether the people of the Cameroons are ready to stand up to a regime that has succeeded to impose itself on them for so long.

I doubt if this time around the scenarios of the early 90s will repeat itself. Cameroonians as i have grown up to know are a bunch of pretty docile folks. While in the country december last, i heard with amazement how much people will love to see a different kind of Cameroon emerge. I was just at a lost as to why people just keep complaining and yet refuse to make the much needed sacrifices to make change happen. A series of past events tells us that the people are just not change makers. Elections for example have always being rigged, yet no response from the people. Unarmed students have time and time and again been shot yet no reaction. Thus what level of provocation can get Cameroonians standing up and saying enough is enough.

I hear some folks out there telling us Biya will soon die and so change will follow. To them the change the greater majority seek is just a change from a baboon to a chimpanzee. Which in essence means a continuation of Biyaism. Well for thus who foolishly take solice in that kind of an idea, this is my prediction , Biya might not die so soon . He might likely live longer , older and yet still stay on as our legal president. I guess we will have to leave with that for a long long time .

The guys on the other side of the coin, i mean the folks who go around for opposition are just not the types who do their ground work properly.At this moment in time ,they were suppose to be struggling to build and expand a new grassroot network to support an effort for a new push. They sqandered the capital they got some years ago from the people.That explains why its being pretty tough to revive the formidable machinery they set up in the 90s. Their strategic blunders are partly to blame for the present setup. Can anyone tell me what is it that an anti-establishment front - the SDF is doing in parliament?. How the SDF so sheepishly tranform itself into a mainstream political party forgeting to understand there is a huge difference between a front and a political party. Can the Sdf now realised that they achieved more from the street than in parliament and councils. Can the Sdf now see for itself that a front's best arena is the street and going mainstream happens only after the grandwork for winning an election is in place. The regime in place made more concessions ,though timid, while the front was active and truely acting as a front in the early 90s. As a front the Sdf was pivotal in rallying others in the opposition . In fact the change of strategy in going mainstream so prematurely comes along with responsibilities, a tricky one off course "respect for repulican institutions" . As a mainstream political party, you may disagree but at the end of the day you must respect republicanism. The downside of it all has being the following:the sdf brand is in trouble. Its main bastions have all but disappeared. Its not seen any more as authentic.A front turned party is now only struggling to hold on to its last bastion the Northwest. That is classic humiliation and that is were the Biyaist wanted them to be. A small corner.

The bunch of us might be Biya haters. But i have to confess i am amazed by his ability to survive. He is a classic survivalist in his own right, take it or leave it. His case deserves good observation.His gang loves him stay. They enlarged their empires of shady fortunes and use brute force to get what they want. As usual docile Cameroonians enjoy playing the spectator. Biya! what an easy ride he is having.

[Ma Mary]

Southwesterner, good luck with your Camerounist agenda. Actually, it was a nice way to say it is doomed, and you are wasting your time. Join the struggle, chief, and one day your exile in Europe will end.

[The Southwesterner]

Ma Mary i knew i just set the stage for you to do some old style seccessionist marketing. In fact i was hoping you guys will be the ones to come back to the fold that give birth to your outfit. Remember the outfit you trying to sell does somehow embodies an aspect of the greater Cameroon struggle. I feel bad that you guys left the front so prematurely.I bear with you guys over the frustration of not capturing Etoundi so soon. In fact the bunch of you are originally at heart social democrats who believed the front you guys just abandoned was a great stepping stone to attaining equal opportunity for all of Cameroon's children. Infact your faction was a much more dominant faction in the front at the time.

Ma Mary, not long ago i read with admiration your comments during the last crisis that rocked the front. Iam afraid Ma Mary you guys are not succeeding either. This are tough times we both must admit. Tough because we minimise their ability to hold on.

Ma mary, to sum this up, can you give me the scorecard of you movement. Its not making progress and the reason is simple, its not priority number one in the minds of the people west of the Mungo. They want a better Cameroon and not seccession. The majority of them believe far reaching devolution can do the trick than outright walking away. I am really hoping all the splinter groups that once made the front formidable come back to its fold. The new majority in the works must no doubt resemble the front of the early nineties:Anglophone Cameroon(con-) federalist,Elitist liberal democrats from the southwest, Former UPCist and thier self style Union Nationalism, Progressive social democrats on the both sides of the Mungo etc.

Ma mary, you will be welcome to that rainbow coalition to help reclaim The Cameroon agenda. The Anglophone agenda is just part of the huge Cameroon question in the greater Cameroon agenda. I am an Anglophone and so Ma Mary , i believe in the Anglophone struggle. We might have substantive or maybe philosophical differences, but i strongly still hold the view you guys hastily abandone a front which was the best platform to achieving our Anglophones goals that which was social justice and equal opportunities in a federal,prosperous and safe Cameroon. Ma Mary, i think you will be very useful at this very historic moment in the front.It is undergoing its on soul searching and what will emerge today, tommorrow or some other day will be a correction of the blunders of the 90s. Looking forward to hearing you over my fervent invitation.

[Judy]

Preventing the amendment of the 1996 constitution is a legitimate purpose which should not be undermined on the grounds that Biyaism is entrenched in the Cameroonian sytem and the next presidential candidate will abuse the rule of law just like his predecessor. The fact that the next president may be exactly like Biya should be the driving force behind preventing any such incompetent and unpatriotic candidate from standing as a presidential candidate for life. At least, there should be a limited period within which they can bleed Cameroon to death. The position of commander in chief, protector of the constitution and the people, is the most important position in any democratic regime. Do we really need the concentration of legislative, executive and judicial powers in the hands of one person for life? As we all know the 1996 constition grants the president enormous powers and it will be a travesty to give this person the chance to abuse his powers and position for as long as he breathes

I agree with Dibussi that the 1996 constitution needs a complete redrafting but the most important change and one that we must fight for now is to limit the current 7+ presidential term and most importantly prevent its extension

Pro Art 6(2) amendment candidates argue that terminating presidential terms does not make Biya president for life but only gives every candidate including the incumbent president the opportunity to rule as often as they want. However this argument is flawed in the African context broadly speaking and in relation to Cameroon specifically because there has been blatant abuse and rigging of elections for as long as we can remember. Consequently, the incumbent n incompetent president will always be the winner and the results will never represent the right of the people.