Feasts Of Courage

The disillusionments of post-independence politicking and self-government were indeed challenging. Worse, the single party system adopted by most African countries was plagued by tribalism and regional influence which made many observers wonder if political alternation of leadership could be guaranteed, and above all, peaceful. For a country like Cameroon which had just reunited after a geopolitical divide, the consolidation of national unity was so crucial that it needed prudent handling.
As Cameroonians pondered over these developments, and the future of their nation, another political surprise emerged: The resignation of the first president of the Republic, H.E. Ahmadou Ahidjo. Cameroonians and their well-wishers pondered deeply over the political surprise, but were consoled by the President himself in his resignation speech when he declared that he would be replaced by his constitutional successor, Prime Minister Paul Biya. Cameroonians regained more hope when President Ahidjo assured that his constitutional successor, was a man whose leadership virtues deserved a positive appraisal and would be respected by all. Such declarations from a political leader who had worked for long with the one to replace him, removed fears of political distabilisation by compatriots.
These uncertainties, many observers believed would hardly change the vision of a leader who on the day he was sworn in, 6 November 1982, had declared that his administration would focus on the policy of rigour and moralization. In respect of the basis on which he was going to proceed in the stewardship of the nation, President Biya on 3 November 1992 reiterated, “Beyond my constitutional commitments, I want to assure all Cameroonians whatsoever their leanings that nobody, by reason of his opinion or origin will be left out of the worksite of nation building.”
With the reinstatement of multiparty politics and the implication of pluralism, the New Deal leader courageously faced the challenges of heading his own political party, the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, CPDM, as well as serving at the helm of the nation’s administration.  The challenges were many but he faced them with courage and wisdom. This political shrewdness could be seen and felt.
Besides, facing a democratization process that was plagued by violence, tribal and regional influences, Paul Biya, himself a political scientist worked hard to weather other storms by reacting prudently to the people’s demands.
For example, after the abortive coup d’état of April 6, 1984, came the restructuring of the administrative set up the country, raising the then provinces from seven to ten. With more changes, the provinces are today, regions with regional councils, headed by Regional presidents. These changes aimed at bringing administration closer to compatriots, were not void of other socio-political implications. Fortunately, this could not be done without considerations for the nation’s unity, aimed at pre-empting the bitter experience of 6 April 1984, above all, ensuring peace and development.
Despite this political shrewdness portrayed by the New Deal regime of Paul Biya, his administration was not spared by common socio-economic ills that threaten serene governance.
In Cameroon these trying times ranged from strike actions, economic crisis of the 1980s and the...