The Task Ahead

The convening of the Major National Dialogue by the Head of State opened the flood gate to a litmus test to the ability of Cameroonians to face issues squarely and settle their own problems without foreign intervention. The ground-breaking even left no one indifferent. And so 30 September-04 October, 2019 remains engraved in the history of the country as that period Cameroonians saw their hopes shoot up to the highest height for peace to return to the two English speaking Regions of the country; peace that had been dragged to the ground by socio-political crisis which many say could have been nipped in the bud if the will of all Cameroonians was there.
One year after, the dust raised by the event is yet to settle as government grapple to implement the recommendations arrived at; at the Yaounde Conference Centre. In effect, much seems to have been done within the lines of the recommendations including the granting of a special status to the North West and South West Regions, creating of the Steering Committee for the Presidential Plan for the Reconstruction and Development of the North West and South West Regions and the law on the two official languages. The milestone covered is to say the least measurable. The impact is gradually being felt as the population looks forward to the full implementation of the recommendations. What then is left to be implanted is the question on many lips?  
Decentralization and Local Government
The upcoming Regional elections on 6 December this year is a major step in the Decentralisation process so far considered by government as one of the main instruments that will help attenuate the socio-political crisis in the two English Speaking Regions. The fostering of decentralization incidentally has its roots in the initial demand for a federal system of government by some Cameroonians, the majority of which were from the Anglophone community. The election of Regional Councillors once completed is expected to usher in a new system of administration tailored by the empowered representative of the local population.  It is equally the beginning of the effective setting up of the special status for the two regions. Once the institutional bodies of the Special status are set up, government is expected to disburse a special allocation to each of the councils in the North West and South West Regions to facilitate the effective resumption of certain agglomerations as requested by the Major National Dialogue.
The Place of the Diaspora
As requested by the Major National Dialogue, the reform of the national code remains to be revised in order that the dula or multiple nationality be authorized. Also awaited are the following: adoption of the principle of parliamentary and government representation of the Diaspora and a ministry dedicated to the Diaspora; creation of a High Council of the Diaspora in the host countries  w...