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Even though results for the 2011 presidential elections in Cameroon have been proclaimed, the incumbent and president-elect, Paul Biya, seems to have a very big problem in his hands, that of credibility.
Voter turn out was low, and Mr Biya had the whole party-State machinery to use in campaigning. This is amongst many other irregularities noted by International Observers during the conduct of the election. But that is beyond the point. What irks many is the refusal of Mr Biya, after being in control of the country since 1975 when he became Prime Minister to appoint fresh faces, uncorrupted and competent Cameroonians to posts of responsibility.
Instead of doing what comes natural in a democratic society, that is, renewing the governing apparatus to adapt to social, cultural and political changes, and to build strong institutions, Mr Biya instead spends his days lounging in Switzerland on the shores of Lake Geneva. What he leaves behind is a state that is piloted using dead-reckoning. An example, one amongst thousands, is the lukewarm reaction of the Biya regime's government following the Kenya Airways crash on May 5th 2007 in Douala, Cameroon. The Managing Director of Kenya Airways Group, Titus Naikuni was on the spot, opened up information centers for the families of victims, and was very available to the press. The Cameroonian authorities were no where to be found! With Biya at the helm of the country, it does not bode well for the long term progress of Cameroonians.
Corruption is widespread, and there are too many untouchables in Biya's inner circle.
Instead of using some of the past 36 years he has been in power to develop the colonial infrastructure of the country, pipe clean water into homes and make access to medical treatment a reality, Mr Biya embarked instead on self agrandizing, and building a personality cult. That paradigm no longer holds true in today's world. Libyan Tyrant Muammar Ghadafi just learned that lesson.
The last time Paul Biya, ruler of Cameroon presided a cabinet meeting was in.... 2009!. How can anyone possibly say that Mr Biya has the best interest of the Cameroonian people at heart. There are just too many arguments to support the lack of interest in governing that Mr Biya has displayed over the years. Certainly it is time to look closely at his record.
Traditionally, Independent African Nations' heads of states' official vehicles come from a manufacturer based in the former colonial power. As such, the Kenyan president would ride in a Bentley or Range Rover, both British made cars. England was the colonial power.
Former french Colonies like Senegal, Gabon, Mali and Cameroon have their heads of States riding in French made cars.
In a sign of the times, Paul Biya has broken ranks, and ditched the French made Peugeot, and even the generally acceptable alternative, Mercedes Benz, in favor of a British made Bentley.
Furthermore, just weeks before the October 9th polls, Biya paid a visit to China. This open rapprochement with communist China points to the general direction Cameroon's foreign policy and trade relations will take in the coming years.
Cameroonians are not fond of the Chinese. They are accused of taking everything away from peasants, and bringing nothing in return. They have no respect for anyone and are notorious for treating law enforcement officials shabbily. There is no way to appeal, Biya has long term trade agreements that tie up Cameroon to the Communist People's Republic of China.
Five days after the elections results were made public, Mr Biya is still waiting anxiously for congratulatory messages - the ones that matter - namely from Western Powers and the United Nations Secretary General, to pour in. He is getting no love.
The United States, France, the European Union, and even the United Nations all have been mum. Something is brewing below the surface. To make matters worse, the opposition parties in Cameroon now seem to have found a voice, and are coalescing to present a united front against Mr Biya and his cronies.
Even the French press is having a field day, joyfully firing salvos Mr Biya's way with no substantive rebuttal from the Biya regime. Something has to give.
The only way out would be for Mr Biya to leave power while there is still time. There are voices grumbling across the countryside and he should heed their call. A level headed and well rounded person like His Excellency Ahmadou Ali, Minister of Justice and keeper of the Seals would be a logical and very legitimate choice to move to Etoudi.
Mr Biya has alienated his friends, lost his supporters and now faces a battle over his legitimacy to rule Cameroon. He has overstayed his welcome. No matter if he is going to pave all roads in Cameroon in gold, the time for him to do so has long gone. He now belongs to the pages in history books, just like Ahmadou Ahidjo, John Ngu Foncha, and Samuel Eboa. There is a tiny window for him to burnish his image before quiting center stage but he seems not to notice or care.
Any moves by him or his henchmen to make the tired and egotistical Biya stay one day longer in power would be obscene. ISSShhhh!!!!
Even though results for the 2011 presidential elections in Cameroon have been proclaimed, the incumbent and president-elect, Paul Biya, seems to have a very big problem in his hands, that of credibility.
Voter turn out was low, and Mr Biya had the whole party-State machinery to use in campaigning. This is amongst many other irregularities noted by International Observers during the conduct of the election. But that is beyond the point. What irks many is the refusal of Mr Biya, after being in control of the country since 1975 when he became Prime Minister to appoint fresh faces, uncorrupted and competent Cameroonians to posts of responsibility.
Instead of doing what comes natural in a democratic society, that is, renewing the governing apparatus to adapt to social, cultural and political changes, and to build strong institutions, Mr Biya instead spends his days lounging in Switzerland on the shores of Lake Geneva. What he leaves behind is a state that is piloted using dead-reckoning. An example, one amongst thousands, is the lukewarm reaction of the Biya regime's government following the Kenya Airways crash on May 5th 2007 in Douala, Cameroon. The Managing Director of Kenya Airways Group, Titus Naikuni was on the spot, opened up information centers for the families of victims, and was very available to the press. The Cameroonian authorities were no where to be found! With Biya at the helm of the country, it does not bode well for the long term progress of Cameroonians.
Corruption is widespread, and there are too many untouchables in Biya's inner circle.
Instead of using some of the past 36 years he has been in power to develop the colonial infrastructure of the country, pipe clean water into homes and make access to medical treatment a reality, Mr Biya embarked instead on self agrandizing, and building a personality cult. That paradigm no longer holds true in today's world. Libyan Tyrant Muammar Ghadafi just learned that lesson.
The last time Paul Biya, ruler of Cameroon presided a cabinet meeting was in.... 2009!. How can anyone possibly say that Mr Biya has the best interest of the Cameroonian people at heart. There are just too many arguments to support the lack of interest in governing that Mr Biya has displayed over the years. Certainly it is time to look closely at his record.
Traditionally, Independent African Nations' heads of states' official vehicles come from a manufacturer based in the former colonial power. As such, the Kenyan president would ride in a Bentley or Range Rover, both British made cars. England was the colonial power.
Former french Colonies like Senegal, Gabon, Mali and Cameroon have their heads of States riding in French made cars.
In a sign of the times, Paul Biya has broken ranks, and ditched the French made Peugeot, and even the generally acceptable alternative, Mercedes Benz, in favor of a British made Bentley.
Furthermore, just weeks before the October 9th polls, Biya paid a visit to China. This open rapprochement with communist China points to the general direction Cameroon's foreign policy and trade relations will take in the coming years.
Cameroonians are not fond of the Chinese. They are accused of taking everything away from peasants, and bringing nothing in return. They have no respect for anyone and are notorious for treating law enforcement officials shabbily. There is no way to appeal, Biya has long term trade agreements that tie up Cameroon to the Communist People's Republic of China.
Five days after the elections results were made public, Mr Biya is still waiting anxiously for congratulatory messages - the ones that matter - namely from Western Powers and the United Nations Secretary General, to pour in. He is getting no love.
The United States, France, the European Union, and even the United Nations all have been mum. Something is brewing below the surface. To make matters worse, the opposition parties in Cameroon now seem to have found a voice, and are coalescing to present a united front against Mr Biya and his cronies.
Even the French press is having a field day, joyfully firing salvos Mr Biya's way with no substantive rebuttal from the Biya regime. Something has to give.
The only way out would be for Mr Biya to leave power while there is still time. There are voices grumbling across the countryside and he should heed their call. A level headed and well rounded person like His Excellency Ahmadou Ali, Minister of Justice and keeper of the Seals would be a logical and very legitimate choice to move to Etoudi.
Mr Biya has alienated his friends, lost his supporters and now faces a battle over his legitimacy to rule Cameroon. He has overstayed his welcome. No matter if he is going to pave all roads in Cameroon in gold, the time for him to do so has long gone. He now belongs to the pages in history books, just like Ahmadou Ahidjo, John Ngu Foncha, and Samuel Eboa. There is a tiny window for him to burnish his image before quiting center stage but he seems not to notice or care.
Any moves by him or his henchmen to make the tired and egotistical Biya stay one day longer in power would be obscene. ISSShhhh!!!!
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