Political Claims : Unacceptable Violence!

Cameroonians and particularly inhabitants of the capital city are still at a loss as to how a citizen could get to an extent of destroying the Head of State’s images placed in strategic locations in town for what he says is his ‘discontent with the govern

In essence, media reports last week held that a certain Sidoine Kamgue Tagne, 39-year-old commercial employee was arrested on February 18 for destroying 25 of the 32 posters displayed on the fence of Bois St. Anastasie at Warda junction in Yaounde.
People who know the area or have passed through it can attest to the fact that some remarkable achievements of the Head of State and some of the prominent world leaders with whom he has interacted within and without Cameroon are displayed along the Wada stretch notably on the fence of the Bois St. Anastasie recreational centre for public consumption. These pictures have been there for not fewer than five years and obviously have been edifying passers-by; both nationals and foreigners.  It is now clear that the beautiful photographs which presented various activities of the President of the Republic would have to be replaced or cease to exist as Sidoine Kamgue Tagne travelled all the way from Douala, the country’s economic capital, and got a hammer with which he kept the historic pictures out of use in Cameroon’s political capital. Clearly, an idiotic but well-planned personal or commanded act.
Police sources are quoted to have said that the ‘criminal’ arrived in Yaounde on Friday February 17 around midnight and spent the night at the transport company. That it was around 5 am that he started his brutish act. The population’s alarm drew the attention of the police at 6am. Observers were surprised to see a Cameroonian rubbishing the photos, mainly targeting the face of the Head of State. Some people thought he was mentally ill, but he was found to be coherent.  The latest information indicated that the culprit, was immediately taken to the Centre Regional Judicial Police for in-depth investigation.
Even as no one would expect the outcome of the Police grilling to be made public, there is however a general observation that Cameroonians are increasingly becoming intolerant with many opting for violence. Regrettable indeed! It seems some believe violence is the easiest way to solve problems; whatever they may be, but common knowledge teaches that it is the language of the weak. It has never solved any problem and will not do so in the present and future. Rather, violence has the propensity to plunge the perpetrator into complex problems.
The President of the Republic is an institution and like any other anywhere in the world, he goes about his challenging task of nation-building within the confines of clearly defined legal and administrative instruments. In Cameroon, the Head of State who doubles as President of the Republic is elected by a universal suffrage for a seven-year term of office renewable. He doesn’t’ impose himself at the helm of the State. The mandate he has is given to him by the majority of those who register and vote in a Presidential election.  His power is therefore through the ballot box and from citizens of voting age who wilfully exercise the civic rights.
It is therefore unacceptable that an individual who feels disgruntled with his form of governance takes the law into his hands by destroying historic photos like what Sidoine Kamgue Tagne did last week. Cameroon is a State of law and more so a democracy which gives room for varied opinions and freedom of expression. But not haphazardly at least. President Paul Biya has dwelled on this time and again. For instance, on February 10, 2017 during his traditional Youth Day address, the Head of State underlined, “As I have said before, every citizen has the right to express his opinion on any issue of national life and to take part in a peaceful strike.” It’s even a fully-given democratic right. “Conversely, it is unacceptable to use threats, intimidation or violence to compel anybody to heed a call for strike action.”
Obviously so as when he was sworn in for the first time on November 6, 1982, Mr Biya’s vision focused on the democratization of the political landscape, social and economic liberalisation, rigour and moralisation and the reinforcement of international cooperation ties. It is true no leader can satisfy everyone and governance in a multicultural country like Cameroon, where everyone expects equity, can be challenging. Perfection, no doubt, is not of this world and responsible citizenship demands that all and sundry put hands on deck to attain mutually-beneficial development goals. Throwing stones and or sitting permanently on the seat of mockers can only breed discontent that begets frustration which some unfortunately think the best way out is violence and destruction of anything and anyone along their paths.  
Cameroonians have the freedom o...

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