Politics

The Cambridge University Dictionary defines tolerance as the "willingness to accept behaviour and beliefs that are different from your own, although you might not agree with or approve of them". In other words, it means accepting that others can hold opinions, beliefs and positions different from yours without necessarily becoming your enemies whatsoever. Other authors however add flesh to this understanding, such as Catherine Pulsifer who notes that; "Tolerance is the ability to forgive those who tend to speak before thinking", and Robert Green Ingersoll who thinks; "Tolerance is giving to every other human being every right that you claim for yourself".  

As the people of Southern Cameroons wherever they may be continue to ponder on what the future holds for them, it is important to inculcate the idea that the territory is made up of several ethnic groups and thus a lot of cultures and ways of reasoning. This means the people of the grass field will definitely think and behave differently from the people of the forest zone, same thing with those of the coastal areas. Some may be smart and quick to action, while others are slow and take a lot of time to get reasoning and then deciding whether to take action or not. At the same time, you will have people who are generally fearful of everything and like to keep things as they are, while there are courageous and brave people willing to take risks to ensure that things get to where they ought to or at least somewhere nearer to it. Of course, there are those who will want things to go all the way, whatever it takes. All these different ways of reasoning must be accommodated as all are useful and the only way to make these divergent views beneficial is through tolerance.

Differences in thoughts and ways of looking at things have left so many people involved in the Southern Cameroons resistance restless, angry, dispirited and overly discouraged. It has pushed a lot others to believe that the struggle is being confiscated by a few, while flames of discord such as the North West and South West divide occasionally rear their ugly heads mainly because people tend to be unwilling to recognize that diversity makes sense only where there is compromise. Hear Robert Alan Silverstein; "The human family is very diverse, with many different beliefs and cultures and ways of life. Many conflicts in our world are caused when people are intolerant of the ways that others see the world. Learning tolerance is an important cornerstone to creating a better world".

There is a current which has too often been anxious to say the people of the South West are less committed, that is when some do not outright tag them sellouts or pretenders, while at the same time those from the North West are accused of appropriating for themselves all the front line positions, possibly standing where they shall be able to tap every gain when the time comes, whereas the struggle should be fought equitably and all facets represented in an egalitarian manner at all levels. There shall never be any mathematical formula to solve such a problem apart from the introduction of the spirit of tolerance which is rooted in reason. That is why George Eliot says; "The responsibility of tolerance lies with those who have the wider vision", a pattern corroborated by Malcolm X when he says; "Don't be in a hurry to condemn because he doesn't do what you do or think as you think or as fast. There was a time when you didn't know what you know today".

The other day I listened to an audio in which the author raised hell that activists from the North West were diabolizing those from the South West and making them look like the devil while at the same time giving the impression those from the highlands were saints. He painted a picture of releases and articles which according to him would only sour the pudding. This means if anyone commits acts that stand on the way of progress, they should not be condemned because any moves to discredit the acts could be looked at through ethnic or tribal lenses- we are one and must without mincing words denounce wrongdoings in a constructive manner without fear or fervour, otherwise we would not have Innocent Chia taking it on Tassang Wilfred because they both are from up country. Reacting to criticisms through the ethnic prism shall only breed unnecessary suspicions to the glory of the enemy and lead to the weakening of the struggle. That is why Annabelle Higgins says; "By standing on top of your reactions you will be able to develop patience and tolerance; two distinct traits required for achieving long term success". This line of thought is also bought by Brian Cagneey who opines that; "In order to achieve great things, you must stretch your beliefs, your efforts and your tolerance. You will have to face new situations with an open mind, eager to reach your destiny". This is why I like and subscribe to Bill Maher's stance when he quips that; "Don't get so tolerant that you tolerate intolerance", we must remain focused and set the same standards for everyone regardless of where they come from.

Another sticky point in this struggle is the gulf that exists between federalists and those who stand for restoration of the statehood of the Southern Cameroons. Here dissention is almost seen as treachery and nowadays being a federalist is very easily a crime, just like being independentist and the battle line is quite visible. Federalists call restoration diehards war mongers, armchair generals, android sellers of illusions and much more, accusing them of treading a path can never be realistic and wishing to break family ties knotted over years between citizens of La République du Cameroun and those of Southern Cameroons through marriage bonds as if the mere fact of Cameroonians marrying Europeans or partners from other parts of the world means the nations must become bound together to keep the unions alive. In all this, Yaounde has yet to take a position and so again tolerance will warrant that we borrow a leaf from one-time US President Franklin D. Roosevelt when he says; "If civilization is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships, the ability of all peoples, of all kinds, to live together, in the same world at peace".

Wisdom requires that we take time to acknowledge the fact that if a profound gulf separates my neighbour's belief from mine, there is always the golden bridge of tolerance to bring us back to the table of reason. This struggle concerns the lives and wellbeing of some 7 million people and those involved have beliefs and aspirations they hold close their hearts. To forge ahead from our diverse backgrounds, we must therefore congregate in the light of John F. Kennedy's thought that; "Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one's own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others". Timothy Keller clarifies Kennedy's point further by adding that; "Tolerance isn't about not having beliefs. It's about how your beliefs lead you to treat who disagree with you".

Yaounde has disagreed with a lot of us how the State can be re-organized to accommodate everyone with their sets of beliefs and traditions as well as cultural backgrounds. In disagreement and disapproval, Yaounde has unleashed terror and not counter arguments, using the law to create fear, panic and confusion which finally turned into resistance and complicated the situation. Had the authorities listened to Albert Einstein's view that; "Laws alone cannot secure freedom of expression; in order that every man present his views without penalty, there must be spirit of tolerance in the entire population", they would have favoured healthy debates and brought their entire armada to present convincing views to woo rather than terrorize people. Today, those involved in this struggle run the risk of emulating government if they continue imagining in their heads and minds that they alone hold the monopoly of know-how and that if an idea did not come from them it is bad.

Let us embrace the doctrine of the Dalai Lama that; "Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them". We have to help each other in multifarious ways to realize the dream of the people of Southern Cameroons; if you can't do it by yourself, by all means assist those with the will and determination to do it for the benefit of all. Let us thus go home with this enunciation by Paulo Coelho; "Tolerance and compassion are qualities of fearless people". Let us endeavour to give our people the best without destroying each other and without breaking hearts and homes unnecessarily with unfounded and aimless accusations.

By John Mbah Akuroh

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John Mbah Akuroh I The Times Journal

16.May.2017

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The population of Mbve, kumbo in the North West region was surprised yesterday as a man came up with a loud speaker moving around and reminding people of today and May 20th ghost town.
Sources say the seemingly irritated man used more than 15 minutes in Mbve encouraging the market population not to give up on the Anglophone struggle. He went inside the market with his loud speaker equally warning parents against sending their children out for this year's GCE which he described as the government's strategy to devalue the exams.

According to reports the population was shocked with the young man’s performance and no fear for his life.

“Like everyone else, I was really surprised that it took that long with no arrest. Am sure the police must have been taken unaware but I felt like telling the man to get on the bike and run off but he was ready for anything without fear. As he said “black legs should call the colonial police if they so wanted” Says an eyewitness.

When he came out of the market he went off towards Tobin, he was pursued by two policemen who did not succeed in getting him.

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Rita Akana

16.May.2017

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Four women have been abducted by terrorist group Boko Haram in Cameroon.

The women had gone to fetch water in the locality of Vreket in the Mayo-Noskota department when they were kidnapped by Boko Haram on Monday morning, said Cameroonian newspaper, L’Oeil du Sahel.  

In the past few days, several people have been killed in various attacks by the Nigeria-based terror organisation.

The group has wreaked havoc in  Cameroon since 2014. At least two thousand people have been killed there in over 500 bomb and gun attacks.

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Simon Ateba

15.May.2017

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Five classrooms of the Government Primary School Atuakom in Bamenda are reported burned down by unidentified individuals notwithstanding the frightening presence of the forces of law and order who have invaded Southern Cameroons, especially  to ensure the safety of candidates taking official examinations. The incident occurred during the early hours of Monday morning, around 3 a.m., reports camerooninfo.net.

According to reports, the unidentified persons perpetrated the act and disappeared before security forces could arrive at the scene.

But the fire fighting brigade arrived with the police and put out the fire.  

As investigations get underway, some sources claim that the incident is the handiwork of some activities fighting for the Anglophone Cause.

This is not the first time fire is consuming buildings in Southern Cameroons. Several places have been reduced to ashes, including markets ( in Bamenda  and  Limbe), a police station and several other schools).

The unrest in Southern Cameroons began in November 2016 when Common Law lawyers took to the street to decry (most importantly) the invasion of their legal culture by East Cameroon. Teachers and students followed and the strike took a different turn.

For months now, the majority of the students and pupils in the two English-speaking regions of Cameroon have been away from classes.

Ghost towns continue in spite of pressure and crackdown from Yaoundé.

The practical phase of the General Certificate of Education began on Monday, featuring just everybody including unregistered candidates.  

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Jerome Ngwa

15.May.2017

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The principle of separation of power which is a basic tenet in democracy is a far fetched dream in la republique du Cameroun. The 84 year old tyrant unilaterally controls the executive, judiciary and the legislative arms of government. Going by section 8 of the crook and biased 1996 Constitution, Mr Biya is the president of the republic, head of state, Chief of defence force, Head of the higher judicial council amongst many other prerogatives conferred on him. It is unheard of in modern democracy to know that a president elected by the people, appoint and dismisses top government and military officials at will without any objection from anywhere.
The gerontocratic Yaounde government is 90 percent manned by natives of the Bulu, Ewondo and Etone clans (Beti tribe). The non beti government officials including those from the Anglophone Community are people who swear to defend the interest of the ruling party even if it means jeopardising the well-being of the population.  
Shockingly, it has been revealed that for over 30 years of Biya’s reign over Cameroon, he has used over 500 cabinet ministers with southern Cameroons getting just 70 ministers without portfolio out of it. More to that, very important and strategic ministerial positions are being occupied by natives from the Bulu community where Mr. biya originates and most of these persons are his old friends and classmates.
Nonetheless,it wouldn’t be an affront to the Beti military regime to say that the judiciary is not independent. Biya appoints judges in tribunals mainly to settle political scores rather than to serve justice to litigants. The recent illegal arrest, torture and detention of one of Southern Cameroon’s legal luminary, chief justice Ayah Paul Abine is a glaring example.The legal sector is marred with high level bribery and corruption, justice goes to the highest bidder.
On the other hand, many have described the Yaounde based parliament as a robber stamp, group of stooges and hand clappers. The coming of the senate, has added nothing but rather helped to drain tax payers money with the huge salaries they receive from Mr. Biya.The national Assembly on its part has never adopted any private member bills but only those emanating from the francophone dominant government.Controlling government action which is parliament’s fundamental role is an exception with the Ngoa Ekelle glass house MPs.
It should be recalled that Paul Biya took over power from Ahmadou Ahidjo in 1982 and two years after, he changed the name of the country from United Republic of Cameroon to the Republic of Cameroon without consulting the parliament nor conducting any referendum. He has ruled Cameroon since then till date and he is preparing to run for another mandate at the age of 85 come 2018.  

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Rita Akana

15.May.2017

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Heavy jail terms dangle over the Bishops of the Bamenda Episcopal Conference (BAPEC), the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC) and the Executive Secretary of the Cameroon Baptist Convention (CBC), if teachers of the aforementioned confessional schools decide to peruse a court case against the Men of God for the non-payment of their salaries.

Meeting under the umbrella of the Cameroon Confederation of Confessional Trade Unions (CCCTU) in Bamenda recently, teachers of Catholic, Presbyterian and Baptist schools said the non-payment of their salaries since February has been tabled before the Ministry of Labour and Social Security for it to arbitrate on.  

The executive members of CCCTU bemoaned that since the eruption of the November 21, 2016 teachers’ strike and its suspension in February, their salaries have not been paid by their various employees, while their colleagues in Government schools are still entitled to theirs.

They urged their respective bosses to reconsider their action and reinstate their salaries. The CCCTU executive said they are going through a torrid time with their families without salaries.

They demanded for an avenue of social dialogue and collective bargaining between the teachers, the church leaders, and any other stakeholder to enable them reach a compromise.

The executive meeting of the Confessional Trade Unions was jointly chaired by Emmanuel Ayeah, President Baptist Teachers’ Trade Union of Cameroon (BTTUC), Gilbert Lakinyu, Vice President Catholic Workers’ Trade Union (CEWOTU) and Stephens Afu Kwah, President Presbyterian Education Authority Teachers’ Trade Union (PEATTU).

Speaking at the conclave, the National President of CCCTU, Afu Kwah, said the issue of non-payment of teachers’ salaries has subjected them to untold hardship.

“But it is this Ministry of Labour AND Social Security that can determine when the issue can generate into a court case... The Labour Code in section 34 to 40 is very clear on this,” Afu Kwah noted.

Members of CCCTU said teachers of confessional schools sacrificed a lot to produce quality results, despite working under very difficult conditions.

Their complains are coming barely a few weeks after the aforementioned church leaders were sued at the Bamenda and Buea Courts of First Instance  by a Consortium of Parents, whose children attend mission schools.

But the CCCTU Executive regretted that their various church leaders have been dragged to court by a group of unknown individuals.

However, if the Ministry of Labour and Social Security fails to strike a compromise  between the teachers and the Anglophone church leaders; then Mgrs Cornelius Fontem Esua, Michael Bibi, George Nkuo, Immanuel Bushu, Agapitus Nfon, Andrew Nkea, Rev Samuel Fonki and Rev Godwill Chiatoh Ncham will heading to the courts again.  

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Abeh Valery

15.May.2017

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