My final workshop took place on Tuesday, on the topic of coaching and mentoring. There was a good take up, and every seat was full. People here have not become jaded as we are about events such as this. Indeed, people from the councils and the Civil Society Organisations took part with enthusiasm.
On Wednesday I was visited by a delegation from Bafut representing the epilepsy organisation CODEF. They were very kind, had bought a calabash of palm wine with them –and, most unexpectedly, a number of Cameroonian gifts. I really don’t think that I deserve them.
What conclusions can I draw about this vast, intriguing country after some eight weeks? I ought to say that I am fairly optimistic. This is a relatively peaceful country. Despite some disturbances a year ago, this is no powder keg ready to explode.
On Wednesday I was visited by a delegation from Bafut representing the epilepsy organisation CODEF. They were very kind, had bought a calabash of palm wine with them –and, most unexpectedly, a number of Cameroonian gifts. I really don’t think that I deserve them.
What conclusions can I draw about this vast, intriguing country after some eight weeks? I ought to say that I am fairly optimistic. This is a relatively peaceful country. Despite some disturbances a year ago, this is no powder keg ready to explode.
9 comments:
I'm not sure I agree with your rather sweeping statement:
"What conclusions can I draw about this vast, intriguing country after some eight weeks? I ought to say that I am fairly optimistic. This is a relatively peaceful country. Despite some disturbances a year ago, this is no powder keg ready to explode."
Maybe not "about to" explode but none the less it will explode if drastic change isn't made.
People have been getting poorer and poorer for too long. And, in particular, the Anglophone section has suffered through lack of investment.
Some links for you to read:
http://is.gd/kWFy
http://is.gd/kWHp
http://is.gd/kWJ0
http://is.gd/kWKa
http://is.gd/kWKS
I think this country is an absolute powder keg - and it will explode. You cannot continue to erode people's human rights, and their wealth and expect to hang on to power through crooked means.
What I will say is that Cameroonian's are peace loving and patient and that is the reason why there has been no worse bloodshed to date than those riots you mentioned ( though not all were rioting - 100 people were killed who observers said were demonstrating peacefully).
It's too easy to visit here, for all of us, and to look around our neighbourhoods and declare everything peaceful. The problems though are largely hidden but they run deep.
The good news is that the Cameroonian gift for patience, and the relative age of its leader, means there is a window for change. If that change isn't made then I really fear for the future of this country.
I'll leave you with a section from one of the links above:
"The reason for Biya's irrational hatred and marginalisation of Anglophones is hard to find. The President erroneously believes Anglophones are responsible for all the political troubles in Cameroon.
"They say those whom the gods want to destroy, they first make politically mad. When students riot in Buea, a special battalion of soldiers trained to combat urban terrorism is deployed to do selective killings. Not even one of the President's fake commissions of enquiries has ever investigated the killings. Legitimate aspirations are always met with denigration and death.
"The last days of the Biya era are much nearer. Biya and his acolytes are yet to be history staring them in the face. If African History is anything to go by, it is clear the last chapter of the Biya regime is being written and if care is not taken, the pen will drip blood. "
Many thanks for that, Steve. You're probably in a better position than I am to judge. Of course I have seen the depth of the poverty, having visited some homes off the beaten track,and even witnessed petty corruption. You're certainly right about the lack of investment in the Anglophone part, but although I can see the tinder, there's no sign (to me) of the spark. The abjectly poor people I have visited said that life is hard, but were not calling for regime change.
Change will come - and peacefully I hope.
And thanks for the links!
They weren't calling for regime change? Really?
Wow.
I'm yet to meet anyone who isn't.
Whatever the change I hope it will peaceful too. As I said - there is time to right the wrongs before things get worse.
Hi, Steve
I'm afraid that's exactly what is missing - a popular movement for change. I've just had a meeting about consumers' very limited rights in Cameroon. There is simply no clamour to improve things. There are very few petitions, no packed protest meetings.The fiercest criticism I've heard about the government is a shrugging of the shoulders.
I do agree with your last comment.
Bill,
You said:
"There is simply no clamour to improve things. There are very few petitions, no packed protest meetings."
From the Human Rights report from the US Despartment of State - released just this week (I think the last paragraph is the most pertinent):
"The law requires organizers of public meetings, demonstrations, or processions to notify officials in advance but does not require prior government approval of public assemblies and does not authorize the government to suppress public assemblies that it has not approved in advance. However, officials routinely asserted that the law implicitly authorizes the government to grant or deny permission for public assembly. Consequently, the government often did not grant permits for assemblies organized by persons or groups critical of the government and used force to suppress public assemblies for which it had not issued permits.
"Authorities refused to grant the SCNC permission to hold rallies and meetings, and security forces arrested and detained some activists.
"Security forces forcibly disrupted the demonstrations, meetings, and rallies of citizens, trade unions, and groups of political activists throughout the year; demonstrators were injured, arrested, and killed."
You can find the full document here:
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2008/af/118990.htm
Wot a fantastic experience Bill!
Safe journey home!
Brian & Francis.
PS Have you had a haircut or have you lost weight?
I think your personal conclusion of your experiences in Cameroon was well written and succint! Looking forward to speaking to you proparly when you're home!
I am Dr Obhiose from Benin republic, West Africa. I am a spiritual herbalist who specializes in doing multiple things, with my root and natural herbs I cure all kinds of diseases. My herbs have no side effects to the body. I also cast love spells that brings ex lover back, spiritual cleansing, lottery spells, money spells, spiritual empowerment, business spells to bring more customers, pregnancy spells, spells to cast away inner Burden, marital/relationship solution, spells to control your husband/wife, spells to win a court case, financial spell, spells to break every yoke of one child birth in the family, ring spell to attract money, protection spell, palm reading and lot more.
DR OBHIOSE herbal medical treatment☘️🌿🍀(+22998121599 whatsapp me)
Specialist in women infection:
Hypertension 🌿☘️☘️
Gonorrhea 🌿☘️🌿☘️
Stomach problems
Sexual weakness
Poor EyeSight
Worm
Diabetes
Menopause problem
Asthma
Piles
Alzheimer's diseases
Ulcer
Fibroid, etc.
Waist pains
Hiv/sss
Body tiredness
Joint pain
Fever
Menstrual pains
Barrenness
Rheumatism
Toilet infection
Breasts cancer
Brain tumor
Virgina discharge
Kidney problem
Heart disease
Chronicle disease
Malignant melanoma
Lungs cancer
Body odor
Problems having big tummy
Booty and breasts enlargement
Difficulty in breathing
Treatment of snore
You can cure all these infection's/disease's through Dr OBHIOSE herbal medicine🍃🌿 WhatsApp me on +22998121599
Am very ready to help.
Note that life is very small so do not miss out on this very great opportunity.
Post a Comment