Politics
Most speeches are tailored to give a balance sheet of the previous year and chart the new part with a vision aimed at orientating the nation towards the part of glory.
Yesterday's speech had the same tone of lamentation and regret of another very challenging year for Cameroon crossed thanks to hope, dexterity and tenacity of the populace.
The President of LA Republique Du Cameroun hasn't still understood the emptiness of the military option that he has chosen to resolve the Anglophone crisis.
A military option that has seen the lives of soldiers snuffed off at their prime, whereas a cheaper option of dialogue genuinely engaged with the good intention to ease tensions and normalize situations at such a critical moment in the life of a nation at cross roads.
The speech exposed a tired and weary President sapped dry by the challenges posed by bad governance and lack of s political will to engage in a frank and inclusive dialogue.
The speech is a continuum of a deliberate state manipulation and manoeuvre of local and international opinion, to continue holding on this falsehood that Cameroon is one nation that must not be divided.
LA Republique Du Cameroun must admit that historical trajectories can't be changed by them and admit as well that the disparities of treatment of Francophones and Anglophones have ignited a flame of truth and passionate quest for freedom that can't be curtailed by any one, no matter the degree of brute force applied on these resilient people of the Southern Cameroon's.
LA Republique Du Cameroun through their head of State has exhibited to the world that Francophones are citizens, whereas the Anglophones aren't citizens.
The way Francophones are treated while arrested and detained speak volumes in the Cameroon's as examples abound.
Typically typical example is the freedom granted the Ex Mayor of Kolfatta in Moro Division of the Far North Region whereas illegally incarcerated people of the Southern Cameroon's are incarcerated in their thousands across French Cameroun and in sordid detention conditions.
Their continues unabated case adjournment is tell tale stories of this disparities that weren't even mentioned in the callous speech.
The refugee crisis that has become so burdensome with the host nation, Nigeria wasn't equally mentioned. LA Republique Du Cameroun has exhibited its folly and fool hardy nature to the international community through its continuum abuse of the fundamental human rights, adding their criminal record at the UN human right court.
It was indeed an empty speech that failed the litmus test of a speech that could reignited the yearning of living together.
Below is his full speech:
Fellow Cameroonians,
My Dear Compatriots,
During the year just ending, Cameroon confirmed to the world, within a difficult context, the soundness of its institutions, the resilience of its economy and its attachment to national unity.
Indeed, our country demonstrated a remarkable capacity to meet the numerous challenges it faced in the sporting, security, economic or social domains.
Credit for such accomplishments goes first and foremost to you, the Cameroonian people! An overwhelming majority of you, whether from the North or South, East or West; whether Anglophone or Francophone, have always demonstrated courage, dynamism, patriotism and, above all, maturity.
Congratulations to you!
My Dear Compatriots,
The adverse global economic situation due notably to falling commodity prices has negatively impacted economic growth and social progress in our country. It has also caused cash flow problems which have severely affected Government contractors, particularly small-and medium-size enterprises.
As part of its efforts to address this situation, in June 2017, the Government concluded an economic and financial programme with the International Monetary Fund backed by an “Extended Credit Facility”. This programme is expected to have a positive impact on our growth as from 2018.
To this end, we will maintain our efforts to optimize public revenue collection and streamline public spending. Special attention will be paid to the situation of SMEs especially in terms of settling the debt owed them and improving their access to bank loans.
We will also maintain our resolve to implement our major projects, with a special focus on road infrastructure. Community outreach services, notably water, electricity and health care will be given special attention.
Our country’s health map is getting denser each year, with the construction of about one hundred health centres, subdivisional medical centres and district hospitals.
We will continue our efforts to provide quality and universal health care to our population. In this regard, I have instructed the Government to finalize discussions on ways to progressively establish a universal health coverage system.
Remarkable progress has been achieved in implementing the projects included in the Three-year Emergency Plan. These are projects which foster true social progress within our communities. Such efforts will be continued.
The Government’s sustained action to increase the number of schools and universities make Cameroon a major pool of quality human resources in Africa. Similarly, we will step up our efforts to create jobs, particularly for our youth. In this regard, the completion of major projects such as the Port of Kribi, which will soon go operational, opens up bright prospects.
The IMF review mission fielded from October to November 2017 rightly hailed the resilience of our economy and our performance in implementing the programme concluded with this institution. This, you will agree with me, augurs well for our goal of achieving emergence.
My Dear Compatriots,
In the sports domain, the year which is drawing to a close brought us great victories which should be hailed. Our Football Indomitable Lions brilliantly lifted their fifth continental trophy. Our National Women’s Volleyball Team did us proud by emerging as the African Champion right here in Yaounde. On various stadiums worldwide, our flag was raised high and our national anthem resounded thanks to our sportsmen and sportswomen. The Cameroonian Nation, through me, extends its hearty congratulations to them.
As you are aware, in 2019, our country will host the large continental football family on the occasion of the Africa Cup of Nations. Beyond the purely sporting aspect, this will avail us an opportunity to offer our guests Cameroon’s warm hospitality. I have no doubt that, like our athletes, our population will rise to the occasion and showcase Cameroon at its best.
Our country will be ready for this grand celebration of friendship. I have made a commitment to that end.
My Dear Compatriots,
The issue of security was not the least of the challenges Cameroon had to address in 2017.
The Boko Haram terrorist sect continued its attacks against our country. Thanks to the bravery of our soldiers and the courage of our population, we inflicted heavy losses on this criminal group and annihilated its expansionist dreams. Definitely, vigilance remains the watchword. In collaboration with our neighbours and international partners, we will sustain our efforts to totally eradicate this terrorist group.
We also scored remarkable victories combating hostage-taking on our eastern border. We will step up efforts in that regard, and relentlessly track down the criminal groups involved.
In the North-West and South-West Regions, socio-professional grievances, which the Government nonetheless strove to address adequately, were exploited by extremists seeking to impose their secessionist plans through violence.
We all witnessed the seriousness of the spillover. The symbols of the Republic were desecrated. Our children’s education was compromised by criminal arsonists who did not hesitate to burn down schools and attack students. Economic and social activities were disrupted by irresponsible strike calls imposed on the population through threats, intimidation and violence. Bomb attacks were carried out. Many of our compatriots lost their lives in violence perpetrated by secessionists. Members of our defence and security forces were assassinated in cold blood in the line of duty.
I would like to invite you to spare a thought for all our fellow citizens who lost their lives in this crisis. On behalf of the entire Nation, I would also like to extend our heartfelt condolences to all the bereaved families.
As I reminded you recently, it is my duty to ensure republican order, social peace, the unity of the Nation and Cameroon’s integrity.
In this regard, I have issued instructions that all those who have taken up arms, who perpetrate or encourage violence should be fought relentlessly and held accountable for their crimes before the courts of law.
The security operations conducted to that end have already yielded excellent results. They will continue unabated, but without excesses. I congratulate the defence and security forces on the bravery, determination, restraint and professionalism they have demonstrated thus far.
I am aware that the wish of every Cameroonian of good will is to see an end to tensions in the North-West and South-West Regions and a return to normalcy. The vast majority of Cameroonians aspire to live together in peace.
Bearing in mind this aspiration, I set up the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism which will play a key role in promoting our togetherness.
It is in the same light that, at the onset of the crisis, I requested the Government to engage in a constructive dialogue with English-speaking teachers and lawyers to seek solutions to their demands. The Government took many actions following the dialogue, even going beyond the initial demands. Others are ongoing or in the pipeline.
I should make it very clear that, to my mind, dialogue has always been and will always remain the best means of resolving problems, so long as it is strictly in line with republican legality.
My Dear Compatriots,
My conviction that our fellow citizens desire greater participation in managing their affairs, especially at the local level, has been strengthened by the consultations I have held and the many opinions and suggestions I have received.
In this regard, it is my firm belief that fast-tracking our decentralization process will enhance the development of our Regions.
To that end, I have ordered the implementation of the necessary measures to speedily give effect to this major reform.
In the same vein, the completion of the establishment of the institutions provided for in the Constitution will contribute towards consolidating the rule of law and open a new page in our democratic process.
The year 2018 will be an important election year. All necessary measures will be taken to ensure that elections are held in peace and security.
My Dear Compatriots,
As you can see, our Nation is facing multiple challenges which we should address together in fraternity, with due respect for our institutions and in a spirit of national concord.
In this light, Cameroon is a precious legacy for each and every one of us.
Let us remain worthy of our legacy, of a united Cameroon, standing tall, proud and jealous of its freedom.
Happy New Year to you all!
Long live Cameroon!
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- Rita Akana
- Hits: 1974
Liberian President-elect George Weah on Tuesday set modest goals for his six-year term, calling for Liberia to start exporting crops and repairing decrepit infrastructure, in his first interview since winning election last week.
Weah rode a wave of youth support to capture more than 60 percent of the vote in last Tuesday’s run-off, but he will need to manage expectations as he attempts to revive one of Africa’s worst-performing economies.
Later this month, he will replace President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first elected female head of state and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, in Liberia’s first democratic transfer of power since 1944.
Seated outside his unfinished new house on a quiet dirt backstreet near the capital Monrovia, where a concrete sign announces, “Friends of Weah say welcome”, the 51-year-old ex-soccer star began to tentatively fill in some of the gaps in his vague campaign promises.
“I want for us to be self-sustained so we can export,” he said, appearing at ease in a dark blue dress shirt and gold watch. “The government has a responsibility to have agricultural programmes so people are able to grow their own food.”
“Ghana exports, our neighbouring countries export - we have the capacity to export,” he continued. “They export and we can do the same.”
Liberia spent years recovering from civil wars from 1989-2003 that killed hundreds of thousands of people and then was hit more recently by low prices for its chief exports, iron ore and rubber, and an Ebola outbreak from 2014-16.
More than 60 percent of Liberians depend on agriculture for their livelihood and multinationals like Malaysia-based Sime Darby (SIME.KL) have invested heavily in palm oil plantations. But the sector has languished due to low productivity, forcing Liberia to import more than 80 percent of its staple foods.
Weah has also made repairing Liberia’s hollowed-out infrastructure a priority. He grew up in Monrovia’s Clara Town slum and can look out on the derelict lots and gutted streets from the upstairs balcony where he spoke to Reuters.
“The roads for connectivity are vital. We have partners and we have revenue that we will make sure will come in to build our roads,” he said.
Weah, who starred for top European clubs such as AC Milan and Paris Saint Germain in the 1990s, has parlayed his rags-to-riches biography into political success but faces criticism that he lacks the experience and knowledge for the job.
He has in turn promised to surround himself with first-rate advisers and appealed to Liberians living overseas to return home.
“We will have economists who will put us on track. They will look at what is in the coffers and then work out how to move forward,” he said.
In the days since he became president-elect, security guards in sharp suits and ties have appeared outside the house and a new watch tower rises above 10-foot walls reinforced with barbed wire.
But Weah insisted that his new-found status would not go to his head.
“I don’t want my title to define my character,” he said as he walked the property, exchanging jokes with the staff. “I don’t think as a president I will change.”
Reuters
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- Rita Akana
- Hits: 1599
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- Mola Eko
- Hits: 2776
Pathetic, hilarious and ridiculous deification of leadership
Tchiroma thanks Biya's magnanimity for Patrice Nganang's release; dares Nganang to threaten Trump's life and see what will happen to him in America. This raises the question: is there anything that happens in Cameroon that is not at the behest, benevolence, pleasure and magnanimity of Paul Biya? Soon, people will have to tell their spouses something like: "on the very high instructions of the Head of State, we are going to make love today...."
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- Rita Akana
- Hits: 3505
TV5 report shows gov't soldiers claiming that Ambazonia forces are being trained by white mercenaries and retired Anglophone military officers. The soldiers have occupied the deserted village of Dadi in Akwaya where Cho Ayaba visited Ambazonia troops. It shows they have learnt nothing from the history of the Mpawmanku war named after Chief Mpawmanku of Bachama village in Akwaya who led the 1904 uprising that culminated with the defeat of the Germans in Nsanakang in 1916. If these soldiers think those villagers will permanently abandon their homeland, then they better think again because he who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day. When these soldiers start running out of supplies, that is when they will realize that Ambazonia is a spirit that cannot be defeated by military force.
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- Ekinneh Agbaw-Ebai
- Hits: 3740
On Thursday, 28.12.2017, Gilbert Agbor of the Africa Now Foundation whose chairman is N J Ayuk visited Anglophone Cameroonian refugees in Nigeria to offer food: Ajason,Agborkem and Ikom refugees camps populated by women and Children
Gilbert Agbor spoke to the press in a video message after after presentation of gifts to displace Anglophone Cameroonians
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- Rita Akana
- Hits: 3016
Subcategories
Biya Article Count: 73
# Paul Biya and his regime
Explore the political landscape of Cameroon under the rule of Paul Biya, the longest-serving president in Africa who has been in power since 1982. Our Paul Biya and his regime section examines the policies, actions, and controversies of his government, as well as the opposition movements, civil society groups, and international actors that challenge or support his leadership. You'll also find profiles, interviews, and opinions on the key figures and events that shape the political dynamics of Cameroon.
Southern Cameroons Article Count: 549
.# Southern Cameroons, Ambazonia
Learn more about the history, culture, and politics of Ambazonia, the Anglophone regions of Cameroon that have been seeking self-determination and independence from the Francophone-dominated central government. Our Southern Cameroons section covers the ongoing conflict, the humanitarian crisis, the human rights violations, and the peace efforts in the region. You'll also find stories that highlight the rich and diverse heritage, traditions, and aspirations of the Southern Cameroonian people.
Editorial Article Count: 885
# Opinion
Get insights and perspectives on the issues that matter to Cameroon and the world with our opinion section. We feature opinions from our editors, columnists, and guest writers, who share their views and analysis on various topics, such as politics, economy, culture, and society. Our opinion section also welcomes contributions from our readers, who can submit their own opinions and comments. Join the conversation and express your opinions with our opinion section.
