31, October 2017
Yaounde: Another government likely soon, Biya to replace Philemon Yang 0
It has been reported that members of Government have lost sleep, since the return of President Biya from Geneva. The cause of their insomnia is the imminence of a cabinet reshuffle which some sources say Mr. Paul Biya would have carefully studied during his recent stay abroad.
The much anticipated shakeup was expected some few days after the presidential couple arrived Yaoundé. But more than a week after his return to the headquarters of institutions, doubt is already crystallizing in people’s minds. The wait has been prolonged with a trip to Chad amid rising adrenaline.
Biya continues to be the only master of time and there are under-the-table talks that his 31st government since he came to power in 1982 will surely take into account the current socio-political context in Southern Cameroons.
A well-placed source hinted that it will not be surprising to see adjustments made to meet some of the demands of the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium. Many within the power circles believe that it is likely Philemon Yang will be removed as the Prime Minister.
By Sonne Peter, CCN
4, November 2017
Balla and the Consortium: No longer an item 0
In one of his great writings, Martin Luther King, Jr wrote ‘power properly understood is nothing but the ability to achieve a purpose. It is the strength required to bring about social, political and economic change.’ That makes it crystal clear that one should only seek power with the intension of executing the preceding proclamation.
The next task is therefore to represent the aspiration of the people. If at any point a leader can’t represent the dreams, hopes and aspirations of the people under him or her, that leader must consider their position.
The chronicles of history are littered with tales of leaders who have failed to represent their people after they have gotten to their mountaintops. The conclusions of such storylines have always been familiar.
Armed with charm and promises, the Anglophone lawyers of British Southern Cameroon elected Agbor Balla as their leader. The future looked bright for him and the British Southern Cameroons. Hopes of the people went up. In him, many in Southern Cameroons saw a political and social liberator.
But after his administrative incarceration and subsequent release by La Republique du Cameroun, his constituents have found his silence on matters of importance, actions and inactions questionable and incredibly worrying. This has led to a profound and understandable mistrust.
This headed yesterday with the great indignity of him being publicly sacked whilst on a disturbing and suspicious visit to London.
The big question from many all over the world is how can a man who was hailed as the Nelson Mandela of Southern Cameroons by some of his followers as recently as six months ago fall so spectacular from grace? His colleagues and employers at the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society in their letter firing him alleged that he has been compromised.
Did Agbor Balla actually seek power to glorify his ego or has he just joined the queue of leaders without conviction who have gone to the top with no vision and guts and therefore fallen at the first huddle.
Whatever happens from now hence, he surely will only have himself to blame for his humiliation and thoughtlessness.
By Chi Prudence Asong