The Wind of Change for Cameroon: Could the Solution Come
from the Diaspora? Postnewsline November 14, 2009
By Peter Mans (African Voice of the Diaspora, USA)
Dr. Chris Fomunyoh:
TFF Founder/President
The Global Mall in Atlanta, Georgia, USA saw a truly global participation of the
Cameroonian Diaspora in an open and frank discussion on �The Democratization
Process in Cameroon� on October 31, 2009.
Organized by the African Political Network, an organization of Diaspora
Africans seeking visionary leadership for the African continent,
Cameroonians from 11 states across the US, 4 European countries, and Canada
gathered in Atlanta to listen to one of the most qualified and well
respected individuals to handle the topic of discussion, Dr. Chris
Fomunyoh.
Dubbed as Mr. Africa by many international media, Dr. Fomunyoh is a Senior
Associate for Africa with the National Democratic Institute for International
Affairs (NDI) and a world renowned icon on democratization efforts across the
African continent. His line of work for the past 20 years has revolved around
helping governments build strong democratic institutions, assisting in the
building of effective political parties, and enabling the construction of viable
civil societies capable of functioning as a force for democratic change.
Little wonder that during his talk in Atlanta, Dr. Fomunyoh emphasized that the
road to a democratic Cameroon must start with recognition of the extensive
failures of the present leadership and the malleable governance institutions
that contrast sharply with the vast but largely untapped potentials of his
beloved country, Cameroon. According to Dr. Fomunyoh, such potential can only be
adequately utilized if the governance in Cameroon were to be grounded in
democratic principles in which Cameroonians regain control of their future and
the playing field leveled, giving equal access and opportunities to all, and
enabling every hard working Cameroonian to be able to achieve their aspirations.
To the acclamation of the crowd, Dr. Fomunyoh outlined the causes of the current
crisis of confidence in Cameroon�s democracy and the weaknesses in the
constitutional architecture that inhibit the effective functioning of all three
branches of government � the Executive, the Legislative, and the Judiciary. He
then listed four major elements which he considered would form the cornerstone
of any democratic transformation that could move Cameroon forward in the next
decade. These include: a comprehensive engagement and reinvestment in the
Cameroonian youth; a complete restructuring of the management systems for the
country�s human capital and natural resources; a repositioning of Cameroon on
the African and global arenas; and a redefinition of the relationship that
should exist between the country and its Diaspora.
In the question and
answer period that followed the keynote, attendees wanted to know Dr. Fomunyoh�s
views on many burning issues of the day such as: perceptions of partisanship
surrounding ELECAM and its ability to organize inclusive, free and fair election
in 2011; how the Diaspora can best contribute to meaningful change in Cameroon;
how to create viable democratic institutions that highlight the most positive
aspects of Cameroon�s diversity; the importance of changing political leadership
through peaceful and credible elections; the negative impact of the
constitutional changes of 2008 on the country�s development; how to use
technology to enhance citizen participation in electoral and political
processes; and how to foster greater interactions and consensus building among
the Cameroonian Diaspora. Participants appreciated very highly the substance and
depth of Dr. Fomunyoh�s responses and his willingness to address in detail in
English and French, as needed, every issue that was raised. In the view of one
of the organizers, Mr. Batiston Lyonga, Dr. Fomunyoh �drove his points home to
the people very clearly.� Many other Cameroonians in attendance described the
evening forum as very inspirational, uplifting, and forward looking. Host
committee co-chair Ms. Rose Ndamukong stated that she had not felt the same
level of excitement and interest in Cameroon�s future within the community in a
long time.
The Atlanta discussions build on previous appearances by Dr. Fomunyoh in recent
months. At the invitation of Cameroonian opposition political parties in
Washington DC and the Civil Society Platform for Democracy in Cameroon, Dr.
Fomunyoh on August 30 detailed a bright future for Cameroon, if and only if,
Cameroonians can base their political decisions on what is right for the country
and its people. In October, Dr. Fomunyoh � at the invitation of the Cameroonian
Diaspora in Ottawa and Montreal, Canada � highlighted the potentials of the
Cameroonian Diaspora in terms of financial and human resources and technical
know how; and then exalted the Diaspora to recognize this potential and leverage
it for transformational change in Cameroon.
These events come amidst growing speculations about the prospective candidacy of
Dr. Chris Fomunyoh for the upcoming 2011 Presidential Election in Cameroon. Not
surprisingly, this has always been a question by participants at these events.
To the dismay of many who are anxious to see him declare his intention to run,
Dr. Fomunyoh has remained humbled and stuck to the fact that one can best
prescribe a treatment only after an appropriate diagnosis of the ills of a
society and significant consensus on the way forward. Therefore Dr. Fomunyoh
sees his appearances as a unique opportunity to meet with, listen to, and learn
from other Cameroonians, the challenges facing Cameroon and their assessment of
viable options for a better future for the country.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a member of Dr. Fomunyoh�s delegation from
Washington DC who attended the Atlanta event stated that another event was
planned for North Carolina the next day, and that Cameroonian groups in other US
states such as Colorado, Massachusetts, Texas, and California, have already
extended invitations to Dr. Fomunyoh and he is seriously considering a positive
response to those invitations. He also stated that planned appearances are in
the pipeline for Dr. Fomunyoh to visit with Cameroonians in Europe and several
African countries. An informal sampling of public opinion among Cameroonians at
home and abroad shows a certain level of appreciation for Dr. Fomunyoh�s
positive engagement towards democratic governance in Cameroon with many
individuals eager to share his findings on these extensive consultations in the
not-too-distant future.
In the question and
answer period that followed the keynote, attendees wanted to know Dr. Fomunyoh�s
views on many burning issues of the day such as: perceptions of partisanship
surrounding ELECAM and its ability to organize inclusive, free and fair election
in 2011; how the Diaspora can best contribute to meaningful change in Cameroon;
how to create viable democratic institutions that highlight the most positive
aspects of Cameroon�s diversity; the importance of changing political leadership
through peaceful and credible elections; the negative impact of the
constitutional changes of 2008 on the country�s development; how to use
technology to enhance citizen participation in electoral and political
processes; and how to foster greater interactions and consensus building among
the Cameroonian Diaspora. Participants appreciated very highly the substance and
depth of Dr. Fomunyoh�s responses and his willingness to address in detail in
English and French, as needed, every issue that was raised. In the view of one
of the organizers, Mr. Batiston Lyonga, Dr. Fomunyoh �drove his points home to
the people very clearly.� Many other Cameroonians in attendance described the
evening forum as very inspirational, uplifting, and forward looking. Host
committee co-chair Ms. Rose Ndamukong stated that she had not felt the same
level of excitement and interest in Cameroon�s future within the community in a
long time.