By Noela EBOB BISONG
The debate is rife amongst proponents of the unitary state and other schools of thought as to the merits of the “dream vision” earmarked in the 70s by Cameroon’s first president, Amadou Ahidjo, Prime Minister of the then West Cameroon John Ngu Foncha and the rest of the team.
History has it that the United Nations Trust Territory known as French Cameroun achieved independence from France on January 1, 1960, and British Southern Cameroons changed status from a Trusteeship under British administration to a federated state within Cameroon on October 1, 1961. In a national referendum on May 20, 1972, Cameroonians voted for a unitary state as opposed to the existing federal state. Therefore, from that time, the government maintained May 20 as Cameroon’s National Day to commemorate President Ahmadou Ahidjo’s abolishment of the federal system of government in favour of a unitary country in 1972. The main argument forwarded had been the duplication of functions between the two Cameroons, which weighed heavily on state resources.
May 20, 2024 marks 52 years after reunification. Many didn’t expect the Unitary State to be a bed of roses, although at the time, its merits were highly celebrated and it was considered a magic wand to a successful, peaceful and progressive Cameroon.
The commemoration of unity day is used to express Cameroon’s independence, sovereignty, nationalism and oneness. This year, it is celebrated under the theme, “Army and Nation: Together for a united, peaceful and prosperous Cameroon.”
Pundits say the theme, as in recent years, has been crafted in line with the socio-political challenges ongoing in the Far North, Southwest and Northwest regions, where Boko haram and separatist fighters sporadically launch attacks.
The call for a synergy between the army and the nation also falls in line with the condolence message of Cameroon’s Prime Minister, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute to the families of some gendarme officers killed recently in Manyu, Southwest by separatists. In the message, the PM had asked the population to support state defence and Security forces. “I invite the population to cooperate more with our defence and security forces”, he had urged.
The Eyumojock attack on May 10 where the officers were gruesomely killed was just one amongst several others which remains a big challenge to national unity. Reports say another separatist attack in Bambui, Northwest of Cameroon on the evening of May 14 left four persons dead (two soldiers and two civilians), while another in Akwaya (Manyu Division) reportedly claimed the lives of a Brigade Commander and one gendarme, on May 16. Since 2017, lives have constantly been lost, as separatists press for an independent state. At least 6,000 lives have been lost in the almost 8-year duel.
The persistent conflict in the two English-speaking regions and periodic attacks in the Far North are not the only current factors which make Cameroonians uneasy in 2024. Increasing prices of basic commodities, tribalism, discrimination and widespread hate as well as improper hygiene and sanitation around the country challenges the nation’s unity, peace and prosperity.
Felix Agbor Nkongho, a known name in Cameroon especially with his links to the events which later deteriorated to the current mishap in the Southwest and Northwest regions has urged government to do the needful. In a piece released on May 19, the lawyer and Human Rights activist, in a message titled -A Plea For Unity And Respect of Diversity, posits that “Unity can really only exist in the calm waters of social justice and equity and that should be a priority as the Army and Nation work together for a united, peaceful and prosperous Cameroon to go by the theme of this year’s celebrations. Social justice and equity go hand in hand. Like equity, equality aims to promote fairness and justice, but it can only work if every person starts from the same place and needs the same things-something that is not true of our society. We want a united society where people are treated the same way by public policy and barriers to individual’s successes removed and one which is associated with giving people equality of opportunity.”
While citizens, especially loyalists of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement CPDM party celebrate National Day in high spirit uplifting their champion Paul Biya, others question what has actually been attained in 52 years amidst current blunders.