By NOELA EBOB BISONG
Many in the country and abroad have criticised the composition of the delegations currently chairing pre-dialogue consultations, holding a majority of the members are loyalists of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, CPDM of President Biya. Those with this view hold that with the exception of administrators, all others, though bearing different appellations like diplomats, economic operators, civil society, parliamentarians as well as the judiciary etc, are persons who are either former members of the ruling party or are still, at least in disguise. Hence, to the critiques, such persons cannot effectively succeed to convince disgruntled Cameroonians, notably those of the two troubled Anglophone regions on their objectivity.
One of the main areas where the government of Cameroon has been criticised as outlining CPDM loyalists in the dialogue process is the special envoys sent to various countries across the globe with mission to discuss with and gather contributions from Cameroonians in the diaspora. The various envoys, categorised under three different groups have headed to America, some parts of Europe and some areas within the African continent, to discuss with Cameroonians and gather their views in a bid to make the major national dialogue a success and a solution to the sufferings of many in Cameroon’s North West and South West regions. The delegation to America and Canada is headed by Prof. Fru Angwafor (Director General of the Yaounde Gynaeco-obstetric hospital) and the members of his group include Prof. Uphei Chinje Melo (Rector of the Ngaoundere University), Mbella Moki Charles (Senator) and Mbe Assae (Member of the National Assembly).
The delegation to France, Great Britain, Belgium and Germany is headed by Dr. Diane Acha Mofor (President of the Administrative Council for the promotion of Investment), with members including Prof Jean Louis Atangana (Former director of cabinet of the General Secretariat of the Francophonie), Boni Dashaco (Economic operator) and Fadimatou Iyawa Ousmanou (president of the Cameroon National Youth Council). The delegation to Nigeria and South Africa is headed by Hon. Enwi Francis ABI (member of the National Assembly) and the members of his delegation comprise Elsie Efange (Diplomat), Madam Djomo (Civil Society) and Mouafo Thomas D’Aquin (Economic operator).
It should be recalled this is the second time delegations are sent out of Cameroon to deliberate with the Cameroonian diaspora, ever since the conflict in Anglophone Cameroon broke out. Two years ago, delegations sent by the government of Cameroon to dialogue with Cameroonians in the diaspora led to ugly scenes in Belgium, South Africa, Canada and the USA.
Also, the Social Democratic Front party of John Fru Ndi in the Centre region, has condemned the list of those participating in the national dialogue published by the region’s governor, as being a pro-CPDM affair. Many continue to clamour for an all-inclusive dialogue, wherein, people will be free to air their views and speak the truth, as it is.