Possible Calm after A Storm

After a difficult year during which Cameroon faced an unprecedented socio-political crisis, the year, 2018 could usher in some changes for the better. In his state of the nation address to compatriots on the eve of this New Year, President Paul Biya, despite his appreciation of some strides taken in football, Health, the economy and infrastructure, regretted the negative effects of the crisis affecting the North-West and South-West Regions of the country.

The loss of lives, destruction of property, children’s inability to continue schooling, and the declaration of “ghost town scenario in the English- speaking regions, constituted a nightmare which peace-loving Cameroonians would not tolerate. Government, he recalled had taken a number of decisions which portrayed the good will of the President to weather a storm that was fast becoming too costly to undermine.

“It is my duty to ensure republican order, social peace, unity of the nation, and Cameroon’s integrity.”

President Biya made it clear to compatriots that he is aware that the wish of every Cameroonian of good will is to see an end to the tensions in the North-west and South-west Regions and return to normalcy. Besides the fact that all citizens desire greater participation in their affairs, especially at local level, President Biya said, “I have ordered the implementation of the necessary measures to speedily give effect to this major reform; decentralization.

This good will of the President has always been portrayed in his speeches and important declarations, but the problem is the deadly spirit of keeping for tomorrow what can be done today in the interest of the country and its people. 

The Cameroon leader in his speeches has often deplored the societal ill of inertia, but it seems that those who clap and praise the President for taking important decisions often forget that the Head of State himself cannot move from office to office ensuring that what is expected of his collaborators is carried out. Here lies the challenge! How many of us doubt that the problem in the Anglophone regions has been aggravated by failure or delay to implement decisions that were taken several years back?

While such a delay does not guarantee the radicalization of the steps being taken to put things right, we should be reminded of the truth that it is inacceptable to use the wrong method to attain a desired g...