Convergence Of Views

Commentary

The current visit to Cameroon by the Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland QC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth has already started revealing its importance. Judging from the exchange at the Unity Palace yesterday 19 December, 2017 by President Paul Biya and the august visitor, the underpinning message was that both parties share a common vision about peace, stability and the place of democracy and governance.

Since joining the Commonwealth in 1995, Cameroon has benefitted much from the organisation in terms of enriching its democratisation experience through the successful holding of free and fair elections thanks to legal and institutional frameworks that now exist in the country with support from the Commonwealth.

In addition, the use of English and French as the official languages in the country has given Cameroon access to several global advantages, making the country and its citizens privileged in most cases on the international front.

While painting the picture at the State Luncheon yesterday 19 December, 2017, President Paul Biya stated unequivocally that professional concerns raised last year by teachers and lawyers had been handled by government and the “Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism” had come as an additional institution to improve on the daily realities of togetherness in the country.

Consequently, those who had any other demands outside the structure put in place by government were out to foment trouble and to government, they simply are “a terrorist organization with purely secessionist motives.” With recent cases of assassination of uniform officers in the North West and South West, the Head of State had to make it clear that “As Guarantor of institutions under our Constitution, and in particular of national unity, it is my duty to restore order and punish those guilty of these murders.”

Any other lapses being considered in relation to the current social tension in the two regions ought to be viewed as problems linked to the difficult economic hardship that Cameroon is facing as a result of a drop in oil and commodity prices sequel to the 2008 economic crisis. The reaction of the Commonwealth Secretary-General to President Biya’s speech was a reflection of the common concerns between Cameroon and the institution.

By pointing out that Cameroonians should give priority to dialogue in settling their differences, the Rt. Hon Patricia Scotland was re-echoing the message ...

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