Achille Mbembe: The Presidential Election in Cameroon is a Non-event

In this interview, Cameroon-born Achille Mbembe, research professor in history and politics at the University of the Witwatersrand, in Johannesburg, South Africa, talks to Slate Afrique about the Biya regime and the forthcoming elections in Cameroon. A Scribbles from the Den translation.

SlateAfrique: Cameroonians go to the polls on October 9. Can they hope for regime change?

Achille Mbembe: Under the current circumstance, regime change is not possible through the ballot box. Change in this country will come through an armed rebellion spearheaded or not by a political organization or by foreign forces (as was the case in Cote d’Ivoire); through the natural death or assassination of the autocrat; or even through a coup de force by dissident elements within the army. Beyond that, all paths to a peaceful change initiated by Cameroonians themselves are blocked. From this perspective, the forthcoming election is a non event.

QS: How do you explain Paul Biya's longevity at the helm of the state for 29 years?
ANS: Having understood very early on that in order to stay as long as possible in power, one had to do nothing, Biya put in place a new system of government which I call government by inaction. Biya studied Machiavelli a lot, and successfully adapted his lessons to a typically African situation. Paul Biya's genuis is to have discovered that power has no objective other than power itself. The goal of those in power is not to accomplish any grandiose project whatsoever. It is simply to hold on to power. Thus, to govern is to not govern.

QS: At 78 years of age, is Biya still capable of governing?
ANS: Definitely, even though he is senile. But he invented this masterful formula, that of the spectral or ghostly government. It is a formula which always succeeds. He doesn’t even need to be alive to govern. Since it is all about transforming power into the power to do nothing, I bet that he will still be able to govern even from the grave.

QS: How do you explain that the opposition is not able to field a single candidate [to challenge Biya]?
ANS: For this to happen an opposition must first exist. But strictly speaking, an opposition does not exist for a very simple reason. In the last 50 years, the entire society has been subjected to a gradual emasculation. Authoritarianism has ingrained itself into Cameroonian culture.

The regime has largely succeeded in imposing a generalized tonton-macoutization* of minds. Objectively, it no longer needs to use physical force. Having stripped society of all security, it now holds the entire population by the balls.

QS: Why is Biya always absent? It is said that he spends the majority of his time abroad, and that months can go by before he holds a cabinet meeting.
ANS: That's true. When - and this is rare - he is in Cameroon, he spends most of his time in his village. Otherwise, he prefers to stay in Europe, particularly in Switzerland. He has a libidinal concept of power. Power is for all types of pleasures. Hence the importance that he places on vacations and rejuvenation.

QS: Why do his long absences not generate more reactions from the public?
ANS: People are completely worn out. They dedicate the little energy that they still have to the daily struggles for survival. And when they feel like reacting, it is generally against their closest neighbors. Their rage and anger are not directed against a system, but often against those who are even more miserable than themselves.

QS: Can we talk of a solitary exercise of power? Who governs in the president's absence?
ANS: The President is surrounded by scores of elderly individuals who are determined not to die alone. They, therefore, keep watch over diverse concentric circles, and fan the embers of hate and jealousy among social juniors whom they dominate. Like in ancient despotic regimes, Biya has perfected the art of manipulation. People live on the hope of being appointed, at a future date, to a high ranking position in government from where they will enjoy the honors and prebends that come with positions of power within the state apparatus. The president uses this grim desire as a tool to literarily cast a spell on, and paralyze society. Appointments, dismissals, falls from grace, loss, and imprisonment, then spectacular returns to grace, are strategies that successfully keep the elite on a tight leash.

QS: Can regime opponents speak freely in Cameroon?
ANS: Speech is relatively free in Cameroon. Usually, people don't hold back and say exactly what they think. But this has no impact on the course of events. On the other hand, any public demonstration is brutally crushed. Obstacles of all types - bullying, intimidation, beatings - are used to muzzle any attempt to establish an organized opposition to the regime. I fear that we have reached a point of irreversible deafness, and that the only way to wake up the regime from its slumber is through force. That said, the social groups who may be able to use force are not organized.

QS: Observers claim that France is abandoning Paul Biya. Is this true?
ANS: No. France never abandons its African friends.

Scribbles from the Den Note:

According to Jimmy Kandeh,

in situations of chronic disorder or where armed subalterns wield state power, "tonton-macoutization" directly connects the soldiery to the world of crime as 'looting, confiscation and pillage' become 'the favored means of acquiring and consuming wealth'

For a more detailed analysis of this phenomenon, see Mbembe's critically acclaimed book, "On the Postcolony.

Comments

[Shahntal Ruki]

You are in South Africa, and speaking really loudly, granting interviews and all, you come to the frontline and lead the battle against biya then we will respect you. It sucks when cameroonians flee their country then stand far off, running their mouths about war being the answer do you know how many people will die beause of this! Come to cameroon! lead the revolution then grant interviews...if you will still be part of the living!!

[Hongla Duke]

Ruki, why are you chasing shadows. Mbembe says that the only way that the will be regime change in Cameroon is through force. That is his point of view and it doesn't matter whether he lives in Mars or Pluto. Either he is correct or he is wrong. That is the real issue.

So, do you think he is wrong, and do you really believe that regime change can occur through peaceful means, for example, through the October 9 elections? If you do, why? That is the only issue on the table. Any other discussion about geography is a mere distraction.

I am looking forward to your seasoned arguments.

[George]

Shahntal Ruki,

I think you should differentiate between words like politician, activist, intellectual/scholar/thinker etc. Mbembe is not a politician or activist, or power monger to come to cameroon and lead a movement to overthrow the regime. He is a fine intellectual/scholar/thinker/theorist, and I would advise you respect him for that. By the way, I hope I am talking to the right person. I would be surprised if you are from Cameroon. And if you are, what's your real name?

[cadmun]

A fair assessment of Cameroon politics.

However, violent regime change is no guarantee for good governance, development and prosperity. More so, very few striving democracies in contemporary Africa have emerged from armed rebellion. Democracy is a craft that must be learned, unfortunately we have a long way to go.

[Elive]

Nice interview from the erudite professor.

[LAMOR]

I support Ruki and her argument. Pourqoi c'est toujours les Camerounais en diapora qui attise les flammes de la violence. You people are never in the country. you probably have established your life in the US or wherever you decided to settle and condone violence like what happened in Ivory coast. Do you realize how many years it is going to take these countries that rebellled "STUPIDLY" with no strategy to get back up from a bad economy and no jobs all of that? Look at Tunisia's case now they are receiving AID from Europe something like billions to help them with economic growth. Vous faites CHIER avec vos "lets start a war shit" By the way i did not even read the whole interview I was disgusted by the first lines an "armed Rebellion" (SMH) for soit disant new regime, supposedly educated men condone WAR. vous me faites pitier

[cadmun]

The Pacifist Problem.
To be fair to Prof.Mbembe,the present regime has failed in the past/present to establish a credible independent body to ensure free and fair elections.The regime has responded violently to mass protest and other forms of social mobilization for change.Though the government is in denial, regime-supporting forces are used to repress,harass,stifle and intimidate the regime's opponents,civil uprising and democratization.Despite its fight against corruption, proliferation of media,growing focus on human rights and civil liberties, Cameroon remains a dysfunctional state rifle with corruption and administrative ineffectiveness.*
There is a broad-based consensus that the status quo in Cameroon is unacceptable.A widely accepted view holds that those in power will seek to preserve the status quo, and will resist any alternative government. US Embassy cables reveal that there is “quiet jockeying for power within the CPDM, mostly (but not only) by Southerners trying to ensure that the presidency remains in their hands.”The opposition parties have failed to convince the population that they are any better.The assessment made by US diplomat is that “Cameroon's opposition in disarray .”**
Having considered all these facts, I think Prof Mbembe's conclusion that change can only come through force has some weight. Although my wish is that change should come through peaceful means, what matters are the facts on the ground.Hence our challenge as pacifist,is not to condemn Prof Mbembe's analysis rather to offer an alternative solution to the problem.
Bear in mind also that a change in government does not mean better governance. John S. Mill laid down fundamental principles for emerging democracies, “people should be willing to receive; they should be willing and able to do what is necessary for its preservation; and they should be willing and able to fulfil the duties and discharge the functions which it imposes on them.”
* On the Postcolony 2001:80-85, for more on tonton-macoutization.
**See Wikileaks Cable REFERENCE ID 06YAOUNDE816
***Mill,J.S Consideration of Representative Governments.

[MJ]

Lamor, you're apparently a francophone, so you are aware of the term "un constat" or an assessment. Mbembe is assessing a situation and not asking anyone to start a war! Rather than worry about Mbembe's declarations, you the concerned Cameroonian, should be asking yourself whether the conditions that led to the Ivorian conflict exist in Cameroon. Yes they do and it is not because of Mbembe!

As John F. Kennedy once said, "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."

To paraphrase Martin Luther King, our nation must either come to terms with the issues that Mbembe raises, or "drive a seething humanity to a desperation it tried, asked, and hoped to avoid."

And that is not a call to violence, not a threat, but a simple "constat."

[Irena Nyobe]

I agree, this is a non-event. Watch this video taken at the ELECAM office in Buea. All the lists are on the floor and people can't find their names!

[Irena Nyobe]

I agree, this is a non-event. Watch this video taken at the ELECAM office in Buea and please share it. All the lists are on the floor and people can't find their names! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_ZE6Xl88Lk

[Prince Nkwenti]

The problem is that, if we are to rally against Biya, who will supply the weapons?? there are dosen of people who are ready to get into this but who is the leader and who are we fighting for?? i my self i will be the first to take my arm and head straight to YAOUNDE for victory.
Then fellers out of Cameroon, you guys keep talking while you are hiding back out of the country, do you think is the best way to support your mother land?? Long live Cameroon though i am english

[meridethjones]

Achille has provided impressive answers to every question posted. However, I would prefer if Cameroonians shun away from war and violence as a main solution to their problems. War can have serious toll on the economy, business and finance, most importantly, on the lives of the people living here.

[alanya]

As John F. Kennedy once said, "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."

To paraphrase Martin Luther King, our nation must either come to terms with the issues that Mbembe raises, or "drive a seething humanity to a desperation it tried, asked, and hoped to avoid."

[DANGO TUMMA]

BY THE WAY,THER ARE 2 CAMEROUNS, JUST AS THERE 2 GUINEAS AND CONGO, THE FRENCH CAMEROUN ,WHICH MBIMBE IS FROM, AND BIYA ISTHEIR PRESDIENT MUST DEAL WITH THEIR CREATION, MEANWHILE WITHDRAW THEIR ILLEGAL OCCUPATION FROM SOUTHERN CAMEROONS( ENGLISH)
COUNTRY FOR IT THE PROSPER.