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    The Cameroon of Tomorrow: Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh: The man in his words
    The Cameroon of Tomorrow: Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh: The man in his words
    The Cameroon of Tomorrow: Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh: The man in his words
    Ebook141 pages1 hour

    The Cameroon of Tomorrow: Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh: The man in his words

    By Mokun Njouny Nelson

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    About this ebook

    Even in transition environments such as Cameroon and other African countries in which democratic transitions are stalled, there are values to be cultivated, there are experiences to be shared, there are ideas that deserve to be recorded in a book of records. This book provides the public with a series of thoughts, messages, criticisms and proposals by Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh on the democratic evolution of his country: Cameroon. Mokun Njouny Nelson leads the reader to discover the man--his ideas, convictions, and suggestions of necessary reforms for the socio-political transformation of Cameroon.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMokun Njouny Nelson
    Release dateMar 24, 2016
    ISBN9781311367174
    The Cameroon of Tomorrow: Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh: The man in his words

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      Book preview

      The Cameroon of Tomorrow - Mokun Njouny Nelson

      PREFACE

      By titling his book The Cameroon of Tomorrow: Dr Christopher Fomunyoh: The Man in his Words, Mokun Njouny Nelson provides the public with a series of thoughts, messages, criticisms and proposals made by the central figure of his work over a period of more than twenty years on the democratic evolution of his country. By so doing, he leads the reader to (re) discover the man through his press statements, ideas defended on different occasions, his convictions and suggestions of necessary reforms for the socio-political transformation of Cameroon.

      Justifying his decision to undertake such an initiative, the author evokes the desire to give the reader an opportunity to have a coherent view of the main character of his work; through his opinions and positions, his understanding and knowledge of national or international issues and his ability to communicate with others. Fascinated by the ability of Dr Fomunyoh to decipher the most complex situations and predict their evolution with wisdom, conviction and vision, the author portrays him as a model for youths and citizens who love their country. In a context where many political leaders are conspicuous by their infidelity, inconsistency and lack of commitment, or are simply absent and silent while their country and the world expect them to show the way, the author is convinced that this book on Dr Fomunyoh is likely to give hope and inspire positive synergies beyond artificial barriers, whether linguistic, ethnic, regional or religious, for the good of Cameroon.

      This book is particularly innovative, first in its form (the manifesto of a candidate standing for a major election, the programme of a reformist party or the cry of a patriot that was deeply attached to his native land and impatient to see how his country could explore its enormous human and natural resources), followed by its presentation in a bilingual format (English and French), expression of a great concern for inclusion, accessibility to all and a consideration of Cameroon’s specificities; and finally the approach: devoted collaborators and an author, apparently of great humility, who simply limits himself to putting together the ideas and entirely allowing the person at the centre of this editorial project to express himself. Far from presenting Dr Christopher Fomunyoh to us from his own perception – that may be biased and distorted, the author leaves the latitude for everyone to make his own opinion, through a clear, concise and coherent presentation of the words of this praiseworthy son of Cameroon, soldier and sentinel of democracy, committed to serving Africa and the world.

      The book is structured into eleven chapters in which the author presents the vision of Christopher Fomunyoh on the socio-political, economic and diplomatic developments of Cameroon in particular, but also for Africa and the world in general. The themes discussed relate to various aspects of national and international life, with a permanent patriotic focus and a constant desire to see Cameroon occupy the forefront and play a leading role in the world so as to occupy a position that was equal to its immense natural and human potentials.

      All through the chapters, it comes out that political debate in Cameroon was excessively polarized, in a logic that was partisan and outdated; a situation that hinders the putting in place of credible democratic institutions that could play an educational role for citizens and as a consequence has given way to contested legality at the detriment of democratic legitimacy. Similarly, the constant disagreement over the establishment of the electoral register and the permanent challenge of institutions in charge of assuring democratic legitimacy is a reflection of the poor management of the transition since the early 1990s, despite the existing sham political and media pluralism.

      On the future of the opposition, Christopher Fomunyoh posits that for a real change to take place in Cameroon, there was need for an all inclusive approach; a broad coalition that will include not only the opposition parties but also those who, though militants of the ruling party, want things to change and that the management of national wealth benefit all Cameroonians.

      Despite the restrictions to freedom, interference by the executive and the administration in the mobilization efforts of parties, the malleability of our Constitution and various laws that distorts the political game and equal opportunities for political stakeholders, he suggests ten points which opposition parties could work on to attract both national and international audience and visibility in terms of votes from the electorate. These range from self-criticism or self-assessment to establishing professional relationships with major international bodies, through liaising with civil society and the Diaspora, the revision of recruitment strategies at the grassroots and the indispensable renewal of leadership.

      Christopher Fomunyoh addresses the Anglophone problem courageously and without passion, inviting Francophones and Anglophones alike to consider Cameroon as their common good and home, where everyone should deploy all the necessary energy beyond cultural divides, victimhood complex and recurrent lamentations. This applies too for the future of the country, for according Dr Fomunyoh, after President Biya’s thirty years in power, it was natural to start envisaging the transition. Legitimately, every citizen who feels competent can nurse presidential ambitions and ensure that there was a global consensus over the person who has the required capacity, expertise and vision to be the country’s flag bearer.

      Is Christopher Fomunyoh nursing presidential ambitions? His answers keep the reader waiting, despite the fact that there are persistent calls to this effect. While expressing his availability and demonstrated interest in anything that can move the country forward, he does not see himself as the corner stone: I am open to all those who are fighting and working for a better Cameroon. Of course, I respect everyone’s ideas and I do not fail to share my ideas with everyone, whatever his affinity ... Within the framework of my work, I have gathered a lot of experience and expertise that I plan to share with the entire Cameroonian community. The only hint is when he says: In the years ahead, I will continue to connect with fellow patriotic democrats, militants of political parties across the board, the civil society, women and youth, as well as the grassroots, especially in rural areas, to ensure that our country finds the place that should be hers among the emerging democracies of the continent and the world. A veritable political declaration and the expression of a strong desire to see it succeed.

      Ultimately, this book is consistent with the convictions of Dr Fomunyoh; a lot of tolerance, a fervent determination, great expertise and long experience in transition mechanisms or democratic change. How then can one imagine that Cameroon would not make full gains from such an exceptional knowhow that one may have the luck to find once in a generation?

      Easy to read and accessible to the general public, Mokun Njouny Nelson, offers the public an interesting synthesis and civic contribution that is likely to inspire stakeholders and influence the socio-political evolution of Cameroon.

      Ahmadou Sehou

      Lecturer-Researcher/Writer

      University of Maroua

      FOREWORD

      This is a book about Dr Christopher Fomunyoh, a well-known name in Africa on the issues of democracy, and democratic elections. He is sometimes described as Mr Africa of democracy and free and fair elections. Although he is an expert and authority on democracy in Africa, he does not impose his ideas on other people; he espouses respectful communication even among disagreeing parties to come to a compromise. This is a great strength of leadership because leaders have to build consensus around their convictions and reconcile them with the personal convictions of others. He is always aware that it is such balance among disagreeing parties – factions – that gives democracy its built-in self-control.

      Dr Fomunyoh has watched events unfold in Cameroon from his privileged position at the Washington DC-based National Democratic Institute, NDI. He has had the foresight to imagine the best future for Cameroon and point the way to it, as so aptly summarized in this little book about him. He has not only pointed the way to the future, he has tried to imagine how we can get there, reason for his interest in visionary leadership, and a fresh face untainted by the fatigue and scandals of the ruling party or fragmented politics of the opposition. Consequently, in the build-up to the 2004 presidential election, Dr Fomunyoh’s name was mentioned as a possible candidate; the same was true for the 2011 presidential election. He confirmed that he was determined to stand side by side with [his] fellow compatriots come this October (2011). However, the absence of a level playing field dissuaded him from being one of dozens of candidates that finally participated and lost woefully to the incumbent Paul Biya who had undemocratically prepared the ground for his own victory.

      In all that he has written and said, Dr Fomunyoh has been making considerable effort to furnish the glue to hold people together, and the

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