Tribalism and social injustice:

Beti Minister picks only his kinsmen for gov’t job

BasileAtanganaKouna: Minister of Energy and Water Resources

Water and Energy Minister, BasileAtanganaKouna, has come under scathing criticism after publishing a list of some 135 recruits into the ministry with only eight Anglophones and following it up after with another list of 30 names, most of them from his own Beti tribe.

                The Minister, it was said, first released the list of 135 newly recruited technicians and engineers with Anglophones numbering just eight in the list. While the list of 135 recruits was still being criticized, AtanganaKouna released an additional list of 30 names, with all 30 coming from his Beti tribe.

                The recruited technicians and engineers according to a communiqué made public last week, are expected to be trained on the installation of solar panels in some 166 localities across the country.

                The publication of the list of recruits has since attracted widespread condemnation from Cameroonians. The sidelining of Anglophones in the recruitment comes amidst ongoing protests by Anglophones against what they have described as systematic discrimination and marginalization against them.

                Observers say AtanganaKouna’s action only shows how tribalism and social injustice has since infested and taken a comfortable sit in the Biya system.

                Hon. Emwe Francis, CPDM MP for Momo West, has expressed indignation at the social injustice exemplified by AtanganaKouna and has called for a withdrawal of the lists.

                “I am disappointed that at a time the Head of State is trying to handle the ongoing tension in the Anglophone regions, some of his ministers are rather creating more tension by excluding Anglophones from important recruitments like the one the minister just did,” Hon. Enwe said.