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Cameroon: Urgent Call for Action

There is currently an urgent threat to democracy and peace in Cameroon. As Paul Biya continues to push for a modification to article 6.2 of the constitution that would allow him to extend his tenure beyond 2011 so too does the voice of the Cameroonian people clamor ever louder for permanent respite from his tyranny.

Greater pressure must be exerted by the international community on this corrupt government and its tyrannical leader to scrap their plans for modifying the constitution. Several times, Mr. Paul Biya has already revised the constitution of Cameroon either to consolidate power or to extend his mandate. He intends to do it now again to maintain his iron grip on power.

The demonstrations of the past couple of months following Biya's initial proposal to modify the constitution in December are symptoms of the growing discontent of the people of Cameroon. We have seen these demonstrations grow in strength and number, the most violent occurring just a few weeks ago before once again being suppressed by Biya's brutal forces of order. As his tyranny grows so too will the anger of the people; if democracy suffers another wounding blow the reaction will only grow ever stronger. For this reason we implore you to heal these wounds before they become untreatable and the country descends into civil war.

Action now will be far more achievable and far less costly as opposed to later intervention when matters have reached boiling point. The international community cannot stand by to watch another potentially peaceful and prosperous African country go the way of her sisters. International aid is already stretched to its limit, African soil is already saturated with blood. Please intervene now before a flood of misery and destitution drains the life out of Cameroon.

Paul Biya has been in power since 1982. In that time the economy's growth rate has more than halved despite Cameroon's wealth of natural resources. He has plundered these resources for his own gain, he has brutally oppressed the people he should be protecting. He is responsible for the destruction of his people's freedoms and rights: the inalienable right of his people to free and fair elections, the right to free speech, the right to free and fair trials, the right to free movement and the right to life. Paul Biya will continue to fight for power with more determination than ever. During his presidency, thousands of Cameroonians have been persecuted, tortured and murdered. If democracy prevails he knows that he shall be held accountable for his actions.

Mr. Hilaire Kamga, representative of the Cameroonian civil society platform who is currently in the USA, is calling for an independent enquiry. Mr. Kamga equally criticizes those who believe that a change can only be brought about by violent means, by insurrection, revolution or even a coup d'état. Such regime change is endemic to the history of modern Africa yet has rarely proven to yield positive change, merely replacing one violent regime with another. It is not simply that the head of this corrupt system in Cameroon must go but that the whole system must change. If not, a new man in power will become just as corrupt as the last, a victim to this untenable system. Mr. Kamga says "We have to find the means of avoiding the worst by constructing realistic mechanisms that are efficient and credible, that may permit the citizens to find confidence in their country without being drawn into dead-end political options."

The system of governance in Cameroon and the absolute control of the state machinery by Mr. Paul Biya have impeded any form of democratic rule, and enhance the avenue for chronic corruption, poor governance, difficult business environment, ineffective justice system, and questionable democracy. The only way to bring about real positive change in Cameroon is through democratic means supported by strong democratic institutions. A constitution should not be changed if it is to the detriment of democracy and the negation of the rights of the people, but to establish a real separation of power between the executive, the legislative and judicial branches of government, to increase the transparency and accountability in the administration and the government of Cameroon and to ensure the fundamental need for free, fair, and frequent elections.

When the system starts to function in a democratic manner it will become its own defense against corruption and tyranny. We encourage institutional reform, and consider the establishment of an independent judiciary and access to a free and fair justice system to be among the most important factors in advancing democracy, protecting human rights, and assuring sustainable development. Only through the reform of these systems can we combat corruption, demand accountability, secure investments, and create an incentive for educated and capable citizens to stay and contribute to their countries' futures. The constitution of Cameroon should be revised only to address the issue raised above. The modification of article 6.2 will only allow Paul Biya to continue to plunder Cameroon for his own gain and continue to send the country spiraling into the dark ages. By continuing to provide financial aid to this regime, foreign governments are only lining the pockets of corrupt government officials and paying for the brutal suppression of a people, smothering their calls for freedom and justice and precipitating the decline into poverty and misery. Action must be taken now.

If something is not done, Cameroon will descend into civil war. If demonstrations have been violent before the change, imagine the chaos if the change is implemented. The people of Cameroon will not back down in their fight for a free and just democracy and a fair and transparent system of justice in their country. We must ensure that their fight and their energy be a peaceful one to end this tale of woe.