From: jembei@gallua.gallaudet.edu
Subject: soc.culture.african
Organization: Gallaudet University
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 16:09:56 GMT

It seems like someone has "enjoyed" reading my lines, which were an attempt
to encourage Shiyghan (the author) of "Cameroon: Bill Clinton's Coup d'Etat ?"
to provide me (and the other readers who, like me may not be regularly
updated on wht is going on in cameroon). The purpose of my writing was
far from rising any polemics. Also, I would suggest we avoid using what
seems to be "arguments ad hominem" through this network.

Now, let me get back to my article, and Mr. Oguocha's response.

I inetntionally asked Shiyghan give us the source of his statistics. Because
I personally don't have recent data.

As to asking "how can be unsure and still go ahead to feed us with the
figure ?" I wrote and asked questions. This certainly mean I wanted to know.
It is not because people don't know that they should shut up. You have the
right, as do all the readers, to answer and correct me, not certainly to
ask me not to say anything. My writing was not some kinda "doctoring" (I
don't hold a doctorate !)

The data I have regarding Cameroon's oil revenues, dear readers, date from
1987. In "The Countries of the World and their Leaders" copyright 1987, vol 1,
which is a compilation of the U.S. Department of State Reports on Contemporary
Political and economic conditions, etc (a Gale Research Co. production), pages
358-359 say, on Cameroon's economy that: "Oil currently accounts for nearly 50%
of Cameroon's exxport earnings, but production is expected to begin declining
steadily in the late 1980s." This was an 1987 figure. The figure may certainly
be higher today (but it could as well be less than what it was at that time if
we take into account the above-mentioned forecast.

But whatever the figure, the major problem my article dealt--or tried to deal
with is elsewhere. It is some people tendency to think that federalism will
solve their problems, etc.

I didn't pretend at all being well-informed ! I have not been in Cameroon since
1988. Nevertheless, I try as much as possible, to gather some pieces of info
here and there (if wasn't deaf, I would certainly listen to foreign
broadcastings every day !). From there to denigrate all I say, there is a
boundary ! If my article were meticulously read, one would have understood that
I didn't mean there is really no nation in Africa ! The Webster's New World
Dictionary (not Poppi !) defines a nation as a "stable community of people with
a territory, history, culture, and language in common." The second definition
of a nation is "people united under a single government." All these above, we
do have. But if we make an efforts to move beyond words, and try to understand
them more contextually, you would probably agree with me. A stable community of
people. Yeah ! You have communities in all countries. But when it comes to
Americans, or Germans, to deal with national matters, no matters where one
comes from. Bill Clinton is a Sountherner, as is the Vice President-elect Al
Gore. Can you guess a President and the President in Cameroon being from the
same province, or division ? Put aside the fact that they are from from the
same tribe ! My point is that as long as Cameroonians won't transcendate their
tribal origin, or provincial roots, to be a single community (with a community
of goals, interests, societal, cultural, political aspirations...), it would be
pure hypocrisy to make the common people believe that federalism with solve
their problem.

I agree with Mr. Oguocha that division exists every where today, and that
Africa is not an exception. Does this mean we should copy from Yogoslavia,
Iraq, or let part of our country become an IRA ? Is that waht you want ? Don't
you think these examples are rather infamous ?

Mr. Oguocha, I don't intend to reject the accuracy of the situation in
Cameroon. I believe and know for sure that the North-West, and South-West
Cameroon have been neglected over the years, especially during Ahijo's various
administrations. But if you have travelled in Cameroon, you would concede that
there other other parts of the country which have been forgotten ! What is in
the Eastern province ? No roads, nothing, except the CAMSUCO (Cameroon Sugar
Co.). What is in the Far North ? Again, I am not a Biya's supporter. I have
never supported Ahijo. And for those who know, I avoid the "Francophone"
"Anglophone" labelling of Cameroonians. Because you live in Canada, I am sure
you will brandish the canadian example. But we deal with Cameroon's fate. At
least, Canada provides Cameroon with a broad range of assistance. They can't
probably afford the luxury of federalism. And the majority of Canadians are
well-educated (I have never been in Canada but assume I am not wrong, if I am,
pls correct me), even farmers can read and better understand what they read.
This is not true for even all the Cameroonians who live in urban areas, let's
not say peasants !

It is everyone's right to disagree with me ! After all, I didn't write because
I wanted all the readers to support my modest ideas ! Otherwise, I wouldn't
have written at all. Isn't disagreement a characteristic of the democracy ?

Yo ! Pls would you tell me what should the people of Cameroon do if Biya
desesperately refuses to hand over the presidency to J.F. Ndi (I doubt he will
that easy !) ? You probably will go for a civil war, then ? If I said I welcome
any assistance from any friendly government, it is because I doubt Biya will
easily give up. Remember the satrap Ahijo ? Power is some kind addiction,
especially when one hangs on it over the years. Most African dictators hang on
power thanks to western democracies assistance. They give them weapons (which
often are turned to against them), train their presidential guards, etc.
Without their support, they will collapse whenever the people strikes. So, if
the same supporters decide to abandon their protgs, the latter will certainly
fall. 
But I think a national conference could bring a sustained solution. For
instance, after the conference is over, elections can be held under the U.N.
supervision. This will ensure fairness. The army and other para military forces
would stay in their casernes, because if let out, they would intimidate people.

My ideas are very modest. But if one chooses civil war rather than accept
foreign assistance (I prefer it if it can bring about changes: I mean
democracy No matter who helped), we will have foreign armies in our territory
like it is the situation now in Somalia. The Somali people couldn't refuse the
actual salvatory U.S.-led humanitary intervention. This is realism. Those who
know call it "Realpolitik."

Poppi 
Newsgroups: soc.culture.african