:::“Constitution without constitutionalism" Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh:::

A few years ago, Lapiro de Mbanga (RIP) got Cameroonians buzzing with hope and optimism to the tunes of “Constipated Constitution” and, last week, the socio-political consciousness of Africans in Freiburg and Cameroonians in particular was aroused by the “Constitution without constitutionalism” and “democracy without democrats” message delivered by Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh. The event took place at the Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, where he was invited by the department of political sciences as a guest lecturer. 

 

In the first session, Dr. Fomunyoh who was on a stop-over from the World Economic Forum in Nigeria on his way back to Washington gave a lecture on “Africa and global trends of the 21^st century: challenges and opportunities”, to a full-house audience comprising of professors, researchers as well as German and international students. In his talk, he touched on the historical context of the geopolitical realities in Africa, before making a comprehensive dissection of the problems and challenges of contemporary Africa, such as bad governance, conflicts, economic deprivation and the lack of sustainable democracy.

The colonialism card is one that is often easily drawn by some African leaders as an excuse for the malaise that runs through the continent and its people. While some of those concerns could be very well founded, there comes a time when we have to deal with the realities of the past and move on. It is therefore in the best interest of Africans to shift the debate from the effects of colonialism to one of soul searching and the quest for good governance. It is very telling that since the end of colonialism, the number and frequency of inter-state conflicts (which could be directly linked to the effects of colonialism) have sharply declined, while during the same period, there is a steady increase in the number and frequency of intra-state conflicts. Intra-state conflicts are usually a result of a cocktail of internal discontents such as; marginalization, discrepancy between the rich and the poor, youth poverty, nepotism and political exclusions; which are direct consequences of bad governance.  It is therefore, a no brainer that bad governance and not colonialism is the cause of most of the problems facing Africa today.

The quest for good governance in many African countries remains a far cry due to the lack of sustainable democracy and functional electoral process. While many African leaders talk a good game on democracy, many of them do not inherently adhere to even the most basic democratic principles.

Nevertheless, Dr. Fomunyoh expressed his “unwavering optimism” for the continent´s future. Africa is not a poor continent and it should take full advantage of its riches, mainly in human capital and natural resources, to join the global trends of the 21^st century.  The roles of the African Diaspora, technology and youth empowerment are some of the major determinants that will facilitate the leap forward.

Recent trends show that the African market represents the world´s fastest growth in information and communications technology, especially consumer technology products, and this is an area where the African Diaspora and youth can comfortably find a niche in the global trends.

At this point, I felt the need to discuss my long held “curse of double promotion” theory with the expert. My “curse of double promotion” theory suggests that there are some global trends that the African continent may not yet be ready to embrace and/or are not suitable for the sustainable socio-economic independence of the continent. My theory proposes, for example that, rather than moving completely to mobile communications networks that are almost always completely owned and controlled by western multinationals, African nations could enjoy more independence in this sector by investing in the development of thorough and comprehensive traditional landline grids. Leap-frogging this basic step in the development ladder could pose a dangerous “double promotion”, ceding our independence and bargaining power completely to the multinationals. I therefore, asked if he thought there were some global trends that may be too fast pace for the African continent, such as Information and Communications Technology, LGBT rights and same sex marriages.

After a lengthy debate, we all came to the understanding that in the context of globalisation, Africa could not afford to sleep-walk at its own strides. It is important and can only be beneficial to the development of the continent if it kept pace with global trends. However, the governments and stake holders have to take responsibility for its people and to engage the multinationals on the basis of real partnership.

I finished the first part of the event completely convinced that only the resilience and zeal of the African people to move forward will yield a lasting solution to the problems facing the continent.

After a refreshing lunch at the See Park Restaurant in which we got the privilege to connect with the doctor on a personal level, the second session was a round-table discussion with Cameroonians in Freiburg. Dr. Fomunyoh wanted to meet with his fellow compatriots to discuss about some issues concerning his beloved country. The concerns of the Diaspora, the impact of regional unrests, socio-political realities as well as the future of the country was some of the topics that were discussed.

Even though remittances from the Diaspora contribute to a significant inflow of hard currency into the country and thus its economic development, there seems to be a resentment and apathy from the system towards Cameroonians in the Diaspora. This is clearly demonstrated by the refusal to grant the right of dual citizenship and, there are no indications that there will be any change to the status-quo anytime soon.

With Boko Haram wrecking havoc to the west of our national border, civil war and rebel groups erupting to the east in the CAR and the never ending political and military unrest to the north in Chad, most observers had predicted a natural course of one fire burning into another´s burning for Cameroon. Cameroon however seems to be buffered from the waves of geopolitical instability. Whether that is a blessing or a curse is subjective and very debatable, but the general consensus seems to be that the Biya government and Cameroon may well be threading on a political time bomb, either from within or the fringes of its frontiers.

If I had my way, I would want that “bomb” to explode from within and preferably from the ballot boxes. There are over 100 political parties in Cameroon. Presidential, municipal and parliamentary elections are regularly conducted albeit with huge question marks on their credibility and transparency. It is widely accepted even by foreign observers that the ruling CPDM party uses all the tricks in the book to tip the process to their favour, that Cameroonians do not want, vote for or support the system as it is. Yet, it is mind boggling that motion of support for the President never seize coming from traditional leaders from all regions in the country and almost every Cameroonian that is worth his weight. During the National day, Youth day and Labour day celebrations, the CPDM party draws the largest crowd from Cameroonians from all works of life, including most surprisingly, students and graduates, both employed and unemployed. Not surprisingly therefore, there has emerged a school of thought that there could be a possibility that the CPDM could actually be winning free and fair political elections, pointing evidence to the en-masse crowd that they pull during events. This view was put to Dr. Fomunyoh, who is a vivid insider of Cameroonian politics and, who has supervised numerous elections in Cameroon, on behalf of the UN and other renowned international organisations.

After listening to his reviews and the opinions of other participants, it became clear to me that the turn-out crowds and motions of support are only akin to caramel kisses from Jezebel´s sister, a typical example of “chop-a-chop”. The youth have been impoverished by the system and have been systematically alienated from the political discourse, so they see such turn outs at events as their only opportunity to have a share of the national cake. And who can blame them for that? All na way for damé!, as Awilo IPP said in his track “kontri don spoil”. So make no mistake about it, when it comes to crunch time, even the lords of motions of support vote for the CPDM .. not! The ruling system is very much aware of these realities and, that is why they have put systematic machinery in place to make sure that what happens on the day of the election has no bearing on the outcome.

What then is the way forward? How do we as a nation move from the status-quo and thus break the vicious cycle of do nothings? Do a vox-pop on Cameroonians and I am sure more than 90 % already have a solution – “Biya must go!” But how?

 

Indeed, a few weeks ago, I got cosy in my virtual cocoon and was thinking about what I would do to effect lasting change in my country if I had 100 million euros. I came up with a brilliant idea conforming with the “Biya must go” anthem. I would invite Nkunkumah and his missus to go with me on vacation, on a world tour, all expenses to be fully covered by me. After all, vacationing and lavish spending is all what they do best and, what better way to get a man than to invite them to do what they enjoy doing the most. Great idea I thought. I´ld connect and bond with them, tell them what a blessing they are to the country, wine, dine and lodge them in the finest of means and places. And on the last trip, I´ll take them to the Grand Canyon at the peak of the tallest cliff, so they could savour the grandeur of mother nature …. albeit for the last time! Then, I push the geriatric and his oversized wig of missus off the cliff like “what the f*** do you think you are doing with our country”. I felt so proud of myself. In my dreamy world, my new name was Luther Mandela Ghandi. Nkukumah and Chantu would be gone and Cameroon will automatically become the paradise that we all crave for.

I put forward my plan to the Doc for his expert opinion. It didn’t have to take much explanation from him though for me to realise that the “Biya must go” agenda on its own could possibly represent only a false dawn. The problems that Cameroon is facing transcend way beyond Biya as the figure head. It is the system! Achieving real and lasting change in the country will require a thorough synergy of the top-bottom and bottom-top approach to change. A visionary leader will be needed to map out a future path for the country. Institutions must be restructured, constitution must be constitutionalised, democracy should be championed by democrats. 

Dr. Fomunyoh took about an hour to present what could be a concise plan for the complete restructuring of the country and its institutions, from the military, police, judicial and financial sector. I could see the eyes of the audience glowing in amazement like they were witnessing the second coming of Jesus Christ and, I instantly became a believer.

In the end, I could not wait to ask the question that was obviously burning in the mind of everyone in the audience. So, I had to put it to him in no uncertain terms: “Doctor, 2018 is around the corner. Are you going to run?” He smiled and gave an answer that was as eloquent as Michael Henchard´s Will in the Mayor of Casterbridge: “we are seriously thinking about it!” Fingers crossed!!

Count me in, I am already a follower. 

This kontri musti change!!!

Emile Tabu Ojong, a.k.a Sir Tabu, a.k.a Thelastoneleft

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Pic from:/www.metroafrican.com