By DOH JAMES SONKEY IN YAOUNDE
The close to two months suspense that characterized expectations from citizens to see who will be at the starting line of the Bilingualism and Multiculturalism Commission was broken last March 17, 2017 by President Paul Biya who appointed a fifteen-man team headed by Former Prime Minister, Senator Mafany Musonge as chair.
In three separate presidential decrees, Peter Mafany Musonge became the pioneer President of the Commission while Oumarou Djika Saidou was made Vice President and 13 other people mostly drown from the civil society, professional groups and who have demonstrated a track record in their mastery of the multifaceted realities of Cameroon were also given the opportunity to kick start the commission.
The appointments were highly expected as follow up to Decree No. 2017/013 of 23 January 2017 to lay down the Establishment, Organization and Functioning of the National Commission for the promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism, NCPBM, referred to as “the Commission.” By putting in place the Commission members less than two months after the institution was created, President Paul Biya is keeping to a promise he made while addressing the nation on 31 December 2016 as he examined the state of the country at the end of the year. The New Year message equally offered him the opportunity, as usual, to present a perspective look at the year ahead, pointing out that the turn of events being taken by the sit-in strike started by Anglophone Teacher’s Trade Unions and the Common Law Lawyers warranted that our experiences as a people should be critically looked into and enhanced.
The Musonge Commission ought to use the mosaic of ethnic, religious, regional, and cultural groups that sum up to build the national entity, called Cameroon that require careful handling if the options of peace, unity and stability must be maintained.
From the first consideration on the duties of the Commission, the Presidential decree states clearly that; “Under the authority of the President of the Republic, the Commission shall be responsible for promoting bilingualism and multiculturalism in Cameroon with a view to maintaining peace, consolidating the country’s national unity and strengthening its people’s willingness and day-to-day experience with respect to living together.”
Public opinion holds that those appointed into the Commission therefore, have an arduous task ahead to sink their differences and work for the common good of Cameroon so that the fervent wish for a peaceful Cameroon whereby all sons and daughters of this nation can live and work harmoniously should come to fruition.
Keen observers who followed the pro government South West Elite Forum recently are curious to see how Senator Peter Mafany Musonge who is reported to have used xenophobic words against North Westerners will manage the commission put under his responsibility.
Reactions
We will start work as soon as our office is shown to us
Peter Mafany Musonge, Chair of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism
I received the news with great joy for the mark of confidence placed on me by the Head of State. I am very grateful. We know that we have two official languages and around 250 national languages. We are going to prioritize our actions to promote the value of our living together. We will start as soon as our office space is shown to us. We will draw up an action plan so that I should not be held accountable for what the commission has not yet decided to do. This will certainly be another experience I will go through. We need the contribution of all citizens for us to succeed in our challenging mission.
Biya gave preference to political rather than technical figures
Senator Haman Paul, SDF
It is quite unfortunate that President Biya preferred giving a strong political colour to the Commission on Bilingualism and Multiculturalism created to handle problems of languages and culture. I am very much afraid that the Peter Mafany Musonge led 15-man team may disappoint Cameroonians given that most or nearly all of them are not technicians in these fields. I will advise Cameroonians not to raise their hopes high in this commission.