By DOH JAMES SONKEY IN YAOUNDE
Political Scientist and former Minister, Prof Ngolle Ngolle Elvis has recommended structured political dialogue as the best out of four options in bringing lasting solutions to what is now known as the Anglophone problem.
Speaking to The SUN in an exclusive interview last October 6, 2017 in Yaounde, the lecturer of the politics science at the International Relations Institute of Cameroon, IRIC specified that “such structured political dialogue should take place in an atmosphere of serenity and peace and it must be inclusive. Structured political dialogue is a form of dialogue which is purposeful and deliberate and which is initiated usually by the prevailing authority and in our case, it is initiated by the state for a specific agenda.”
He further explained that “The second option is the pursuit of political reforms to make sure that the decentralization as stated in our constitution is completed, thirdly that the state must continue to protect everybody using democratic measures and lastly, that the state should continue to embark on the development of its public policy making sure that roads, industries etc are constructed.”
Prof Ngolle Ngolle urged “the state to set the agenda for dialogue because there is no other force that can measure strength with the state.”
Speaking on the way forward, the Political Scientist explained that “from my own little point of view, we have all recognized that indeed there is a problem which is now referred to as an Anglophone problem which has many facets and that this problem has been around for some time until most recently it has escalated to a crisis which began with the lawyers’ and teachers’ strikes before taking a socio-political twist with some people asking for a return to federalism and others even going to the extent of asking for secession.”
As a citizen in the profession of teaching the science of politics, Prof Ngolle Ngolle regretted the loss of lives of some citizens.
“All of us as citizens have that duty to contribute in ending the crisis”, Prof Ngolle furthered.
He said “we recognize that the state, the nation is still strong and united and many Cameroonians both Anglophones and Francophones are mobilized around the state for it to remain strong as it enjoys its full legitimacy and constitutional legality.
“We acknowledge that the state has done a lot already in responding to preoccupations raised by teachers and lawyers. With regards to the more political demands now on the table, those who want the form of state to change and those who want to secede, I believe that the support we have for the state and the fact that we count on the state permit us to expect that the state has the capacity and the will given that the Head of State has shown us that he is willing to go to any length to solve the problem”, Prof Ngolle Ngolle concluded.