Over the week-end, on Saturday 19 July, some “youths” of the so called PRESBY acronym for President Biya’s Youths, held a press conference in Yaounde, where they manifested their total and unconditional support to President Biya, requesting that he stands for president in 2011. They notified and assured the president of their desire and capacity to pay the caution of one million CFA francs that each presidential candidate is required to deposit; while at the same time galvanising the youths to join in the move.It is not surprising to witness such sycophantic and egocentric actions full of calumny, at this critical period in Cameroon where rising youth unemployment and abject poverty is the order of the day. While respecting their views and position, given that we are in a democratic country, I however will not reserve my criticisms. It will be plausible to reiterate here that the position of these youths is in no way a mirror reflection of the opinion of rest of the youths in Cameroon. The events that marked Cameroon in February 2008 can best justify the fact that the majority of youths in Cameroon from the onset where against Biya’s Constitutional amendment plans and are still against his standing for president after the end of his present mandate in 2010. As a matter of fact, PRESBY represents the sole interest of its membership. One can smell the desire of a group of callous individuals to enrich themselves while hiding under the cover of “youths”. When the youths took to the streets in February 2008 for a genuine cause, the government tagged them with “manipulation” etiquettes; claiming that they were under the influence of the opposition parties, particularly the SDF. No one seems to complain now when some so called “youths” of President Biya are being used for the CPDM party’s political propaganda. This in my opinion is real manipulation of the youths.
The ‘seek ye first the attention and favour of Biya and his collaborators and all other things shall be added unto to you’ syndrome that characterises the Cameroonian job sector seems to have caught a fraction of the Cameroonian youths .It is a hidden secret to nobody that while the hand that gives direct the receiver; a mouth that is well fed will always reverence the name of its supplier.
How can PRESBY represent the voice for the youths of Cameroon when internally it is torn apart by conflicts of interests, with one faction under the helm of Philemon Cham Cham and another faction under Paul Ngam, both claiming leadership of the movement? One should doubt if the movement will not crumble like packs of cards once the economic interests of the leaders are achieved. A house that is divided cannot stand, goes the adage.
It is such a shame to hear that PRESBY proposes to pay for Biya’s caution. If they have succeeded over the years to make so much money (since they operate within a vicious circle called la mangoire), they will do well to the nation if they use the one million caution and more to create jobs that will benefit the real youths of Cameroon who keep wasting in squatter camps with diplomas in their pockets.
Coming at a time when analysis have identified some danger signals with very high probabilities of a conflict occurring in Cameroon if Biya stands for president after 2010; PRESBY should be very careful about what they are asking for. I have written an analytical paper on a possible conflict in Cameroon, summaries of which I will soon publish on this network. The risks of a conflict occurring in Cameroon are very real and great precaution is needed for it to be averted.
Let not greed and personal gain seeking cause these “youths” to trade and sacrifice the future of the next generation for some millions of CFA francs and political positions. President Biya has done his time, we thank him for his service to the nation, but I believe the youths of Cameroon will like to see some other person lead this country and break the 27 years of monotony. May the Almighty God guide and protect Cameroon, our lovely and richly endowed nation.
If youths have taken upon themselves to support President Paul Biya, it is because they have understood his vision for Cameroon’s youths. Many recent actions have been taken by President Paul Biya in favour of the youths, I don’t need to remind you of them, why then should youths not support him?
ReplyDeleteHi Angue, Thanks for reading. Your point is well valuable. But if you look at the timing, the period the so called "actions in favour of youths" are popping up. The president is just tripping. He fears the storm that is raging in North Africa. Put it together.
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