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Cameroon
October 9, 2014
Commonwealth Has Positively Impacted Our Electoral Process —
Barrister Nico Halle
Ntumfor Barrister Nico Hall, an international legal luminary, elections
observer and a former member of the defunct Cameroon electoral watchdog, the
National Elections Observatory, NEO, has said the Commonwealth, among other
things, has positively impacted Cameroon's electoral process.
In this exclusive interview with Eden, he also bares his mind on other
issues relating to the Commonwealth and Cameroon. Excerpts
Eden: For the first time, in our country's history, Cameroon is
hosting arguably, the largest International gathering �the
60th Commonwealth Parliamentary conference. What do you make
of this momentous gathering?
Nico Halle: This momentous gathering is obviously the result of
many years of strategic planning on Commonwealth policy and a reflection of the
willingness of the 53 member states to continue to foster the socio-economic and
political ties that bind us all within this intergovernmental organization. The
fact that hundreds if not thousands of delegates will be arriving Cameroon, seen
universally as "Africa in miniature", to attend this conference, is a mark of
that "commitment to belong" which resides at the fabric of the member state of
the Commonwealth. Special acknowledgement and credit need to be given H.E
President Paul Biya, the Head of State of the host country Cameroon for proving
a secure and convenient locus for this event to hold. As citizens of the
Commonwealth, we are optimistic that progressive and democratic resolutions will
be promulgated to promote peace and justice within the Commonwealth themselves,
and between each other.
The Commonwealth, some cynics have maintained is nothing more than a
phoenix, emerging as a guild replacement from the ashes of the defunct
British Empire. Do you agree?
Nico Halle: With the establishment of the Commonwealth, there
has been recognized growth and progress within the member states as a result of
the mutually beneficial relationship and partnerships. In that sense, the notion
of the Commonwealth as a simple replacement of a defunct British Empire is
untenable.
In your view, is the Commonwealth more or less relevant today than it
was at creation?
Nico Halle: Definitely so. For a while now, regional
organization, international agreements etc have emerged as the way forward in
attaining globalization and greater cross-border integration. Through the
Commonwealth, more of such collaboration is realized between the member states,
and internationally as a result. Thus with the advent of globalization, it is
very relevant in furthering national and international objectives.
The Ahidjo Government deliberately, some would say strategically,
stayed out of this Gentlemen's club President Paul thought otherwise,
some would say more pragmatically. What' your assessment of these two
policy paradigms?
Nico Halle: At the time of the Ahidjo Government, the
Commonwealth had not been in existence for that long, and the modalities of
membership were unclear. It is probably that the former Head of State was being
cautious about making Cameroon a signatory without being fully advised of the
implication. Our current Head of State, H.E President Paul Biya has consistently
during his tenure taken steps to engage the nation on an international level and
promote economic and political cooperation with other nations. The Commonwealth
is thus a forum through which the Head of State�s vision of an emerging Cameroon
in 2035 can be attained by the various economic partnerships and strategic
alliance being formed.
The Commonwealth and La Francophonie: Compare and contrast Cameroon's
membership of these two structures. What are we benefiting and where are
we benefitting more?
Nico Halle: La Francophonie just like the Commonwealth regroups
nations for the same purpose, to foster socio-economic and political
collaboration for mutual benefit. It is generally said that "Along, we move
fast. Together we move further". As a nation, we benefit greatly from both these
intergovernmental communities on several different levels and it is thanks to
our "anglo-franco" history that we are able to be linked to the 53 Commonwealth
nations, 57 nations of La Francophonie. I do not think there is an issue of
which intergovernmental community is of more benefit, simple because Anglophones
and Francophone's in Cameroon are represented in the Commonwealth and La
Francophonie respectively and equally.
Many Cameroonians agree that the country qualified for the membership
of the Commonwealth because of its Anglophone character, but agree that
the latter are not gaining much compared with their Francophone. Do you
agree?
Nico Halle: That assessment is unfair if we look at how the
nation as a whole benefits from its Commonwealth membership. Case in point, our
participation in events such as the Commonwealth games have promoted our
sporting talent internationally and given us the opportunity to compete with
other nations. Equally, the Commonwealth scholarship scheme has enabled bright
Cameroonian minds to obtained quality education under the sponsorship of the
Commonwealth. I do not think it has ever been a question of one faction of the
nation being favored over another. Very recently, one of my pupil lawyers was
granted a Commonwealth scholarship to further his legal education in the United
Kingdom. And his is an Anglophone.
In its attempt to respond to criticisms that it neglects moral
responsibilities to the English speaking communities of the country, the
Commonwealth as its leader nation, the United Kingdom, has insisted that
it has relation with Cameroon as a nation. Is this a tangible excuse or
sheer political naivety/paranoia?
Nico Halle: I think that ultimately as a nation, we are
responsible for our own destiny and for which we are required to be
self-reliant. The United Kingdom in it role as Head of the Commonwealth can only
do so much to solve the socio-economic and political issues that we face as a
community and as a nation. The Commonwealth charter recognizes Cameroon as a
nation and not as a community, thus to ensure the smooth functioning and
transparency of relations, one community should not expect special treatment
over the other. I believe that Francophones are part of Anglophones history, and
vice versa, and it is that which makes us a nation, that which keeps us united.
Recently, PALU (Commonwealth Parliamentary Lawyers Union) awarded a
prize to President Paul Biya over Bakassi. What do you make of this
initiative?
Nico Halle: I think that is was a very laudable initiative. In
fact, I had proposed this idea a while back shortly after our Head of State H.E
president Paul Biya and the former Head of State of Nigeria, H.E Obasanjo
brokered the peace which ended the hostilities in the Bakassi region. The
pan-Africa�s lawyer union acted well to acknowledge the Head of State�s role in
ending the crisis and this is conclusive of the fact that such great feats must
always be acknowledged and should serve as an example to others.
Cameroon has reportedly not been very committed in adhering to the
many instruments of good governance, democracy human rights, justice and
equality that the Commonwealth is known to be ringing home to its
members. What�s your opinion and should the two parties do to ensure
greater adherence?
Nico Halle: To ensure greater adherence to these values of the
Commonwealth, I think it is essential that both parties should continue to
dialogue with view to resolving impasse. As a nation, we always endeavour to
improve on these aspects given that they portray progressive free, fair and
democratic society. Last year 2013, the Head of State granted amnesty to
political and ordinary convicts and thus portrayed that the nation observes and
uphold certain fundamental human rights principles. Not only are we as a nation
moving toward economic emergency, we are equally gradually adopting more
universal, progressive and democratic models of conducting our own culture,
socio-economic, legal and political affairs.
The commonwealth has participated in the restructuring and monitoring
of our democratic especially the electoral process. How do you assess
her contribution to Cameroon's march towards the ideal of an open, fair
and free society?
Nico Halle: The Commonwealth has been influential in modernizing
and ameliorating our electoral process, which is incidental to the requirement
of peace and justice. Through various project/programs, it has established
capacity-building and leadership-training initiatives which go a long way to
further the ideals of the Commonwealth. It has equally provided our nation with
guidelines and with recommendations on modalities of attaining core principles
such as peace and justice through a free and fair electoral process. Having been
a member of the National Elections Observatory (NEO) for nearly seven (07) years
(2021-2007), I witnessed firsthand, the indefatigable efforts of international
and intergovernmental organizations such as the Commonwealth in the monitoring
and attempting to restructure our democratic institutions as a whole, and our
electoral process in particular. We are optimistic that with the continuous
effort of the Commonwealth, and the bilateral engagements and discussions
between our nation and the organization, a transparent and independent electoral
commission shall see the light of day.
Thank you for talking to us.
Nico Halle: The pleasure is mine.
Courtesy: Eden Monday 6 October, 2014
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