Dialogue is cheaper

By Fred Perry Kemah, London

Dear All,

Fred Kemah

One of the long term dilemmas of the ongoing anglophone STRUGGLE is to ask ourselves whether the Love for Cameroon will ever be the same.

                In the 90s after the Italia 90 football exploit we were so proud to be Cameroonians. I don't think that is the case right now.

                The poor handling of a minor problem has led to widespread anger across the native  English Speaking Cameroons, now gathering sympathy from parts of the Western regions in Cameroon.

                Anyway,  I am  surprised by the silence or wait and see tactics from the so - called Bamilike Anglophones /Bassa Anglophones. What is their TAKE on this struggle?

                The 2016 end of year presidential speech has been the most long awaited speech in recent memories. However, taking from remarks from different intellectual factions speculating on the Anglophone Struggle, the speech was seen as inconclusive,  at times provocative towards the Anglophone cause.

                In my opinion, the president was MISLED on this occasion.  Calling protesters EXTREMISTS was a blatant political error. It only fuels anger and indirectly substantiates claims that the head of state could be dragged into misleading rhetorics when making important decisions.

                The entire English Speaking Cameroons has been militarized with a view to forcefully silence protesters. On a long term this will negatively impact on the economy of the country. It could result in psychological stress on soldiers as well.

                Failure to engage in open dialogue means dragging the attention of the international community, ie international media to expose matters. Obviously, this will damage the image of all the Cameroons.

                Taking from what I read on social media and WhatsApp groups, I am worried that failure to resolve the Anglophone Struggle swiftly could result in significant damage to the entire economy.

                Therefore, arranging for a swift and reconciliatory dialogue seems more appropriate and affordable.

                Cameroon as a country has no credible opposition.       This makes matters extremely difficult for all the parties and stakeholders involved.  At present, the handling of the struggle is chaotic from both ends with behavioural tendencies from both protesters, complainants and government officials suggestive of individualized protagonistic tendencies, at times associated with zero professional skills.

                I remain of the opinion that Dialogue Is Cheaper and is achievable via an open, honest and frank process called CONCLAVE.

                As usual, the vulnerable and less privileged ones will be the victims, so watch out as protests, strikes, ghost towns and military suppression continues

With Best Wishes

Fred Perry Kemah, MD, PhD, FRCP, FESC

Consultant Cardiologist

Honorary Senior Lecturer in Cardiac Medicine.

London, UK