From: biem@atr-hr.atr.co.jp (Alain Biem)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.african
Subject: Re: CAMEROON: Bill Clinton's "coup d'etat"?????????
Date: 8 Jan 93 03:08:06 GMT
Distribution: soc.culture.african
Organization: ATR Auditory and Visual Perception Research Labs., Japan

In article <Jan.7.15.44.48.1993.12579@occlusal.rutgers.edu> shemlon@occlusal.rutgers.edu (Shiyghan Shemlon) writes:


   > > respected readers with creditable information. However, I would like to asks
   > > some questions, and of course, try to comment on some of his assertions. I 
   > > have no sympathy for, and am far from being an unconditional supporter of 
   > > either Biya or Ahijo's government. For your information, my cousin (he is my
   > > brother in our tradition) has been in political asylum for more than
   > > 30 years.
   > 
   > You are right brother. As I have often said (and the example of your
   > cousin sums it all), no Cameroonian in their right mind should be
   > proud of Ahidjo, Biya or any of their henchmen. These guys devastated
   > the country with bad leadership and brought us to our present predicament.

     I agree with you, brothers...but, the fact is those guys have
build the today's Cameroon which is believed to be a good a example of
development in Africa (Of course, it could have been better...). They
are already part of Cameroon' history, whether we like it or not! 

 
  
   > > Now, here is how I view Cameroon's situation:
   > > 
   > > Whoever becomes Cameroon's President at this time will be more likely to
   > > continue the old-fashioned policy, if that person is a member of the actual
   > > government team, or has served in any of Ahijo's administration. It
   > > is possible that some members of the actual administration are very
   > > good people, who could bring concrete democratic changes in
   > > Cameroon. But with those who served in Ahijo's administration, I
   > > doubt. Cameroon certainly needs someone who will 
   > > bring new ideas, put in place a new team, devoted to changes.
   > 
   > I AGREE 100% with you brother.
   > 
       I AGREE 100% with you brothers.
  
   > 
   > . Refusing to recognize our differences is blind and
   > naive nationalism that will hardly succeed. 

    I may be stupid, but I don't undersatand what you call here
differences ? the fact that two Cameroonians speak different FOREIGN
languages make them so differents ? Do you think a native Bassa from Edea and
a native Bassa from the south-west will have different customs
because one speaks french and the other english ? We don't need to put
an ARTIFICIAL difference above our native-language-based differences..

   > 
   > I agree with you that Federalism has its draw backs. However a well
   > crafted federal system like that of the US brings about transperence,
   > accountability and responsible Gov't. My idea is, in looking for a
   > solution to our present stalemate, we should explore all possible
   > structures, even federalism, as long as it eliminates the abuse of
   > power and the corruption that our current structure breeds.
   > 
 
    In the case of Cameroon, I think Federalism is very likely to
destroy UNITY which is already very weak...An option might be a
decentralization giving much more power to departements with the
establishemnt of a chambers in the parliament which will represent
cameroon ethinacal diversity...   

 Alain BIEM
Newsgroups: soc.culture.african,soc.culture.african.american