Reports from the boiling cauldron known as La Republique du Cameroun are tallying over 11 deaths between Saturday February 23rd and Monday 25th, 2008 resulting from live bullets fired by the Police. Two of the victims were killed on Saturday in what is described as offspring action from an aborted protest rally of the opposition Social Democratic Front (SDF)in Douala, the nation's economic heartbeat. The Littoral Provincial Coordinator and SDF parliamentarian, Jean Michel NINTCHEU organized the rally to protest the impending monarchization of La Republique du Cameroun by President Biya and his blind Governors who are banning meetings throughout the country. Even the American Embassy is Yaounde is warning its citizens to stay on the alert.
Today's "Warden Message" emanating from the U.S Embassy in La Republique du Cameroun is calling on "American citizens throughtout Cameroon ... to avoid large public gatherings or demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. American citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times".
Characterizing the climate of demonstrations as unpredictable, the Embassy communique to its citizens notes that "Protests appear to encompass both political and economic grievances". The Embassy pro-actively protects American life by informing workers that "...the American School of Douala are closed, while others, including the U.S. Embassy Branch office will operate on the basis of liberal leave for employees who are unable to safely arrive at the workplace".
In the meantime, a Minister in Biya's voodoo Rosicrucian cabinet says that Cameroonians are poor copies of what has been going down in Kenya, and that it cannot and will not happen in Cameroon. The rule of law and order must prevail, whatever the cost.
But the serious questions that must be answered to avert civilian unrests never seem to preoccupy the trigger-happy murderers. No one is asking what should be done about the killing gas prices that are causing taxi-drivers and motor-bike drivers to go on strike. It is inconceivable that U.S motorists are feeling the pinch at the pump with gas prices averaging $3.10 a gallon; but Cameroonians are paying $6.00 at the pump per gallon. (700 CFA frs per liter. 4+ liters make a gallon. $1.00 is equal to 425 Cfa frs.The average Cameroonian survives on less that the price of a bubble-gum a day)
Why would the Minister worry so much about the price of gas at the pump in La Republique du Cameroun when he does not pay for it. Ministers and every ranking Directors have government-issued gas coupons. All the Minister does is to cut some of the coupons and give to the chauffeur to go fill up the tank. Occasionally, they give the coupons to their friends and family for cash conversions. It therefore does not hurt the Minister because even the stolen money reaped from public coffers is not spent on gas or on feeding his / her family.
It is no wonder that Armed Security Forces are often resorting to live bullets whenever they are called upon to intervene in civilian demonstrations. The leaders are so far-removed from the anguish of the ordinary citizen. It explains why the Minister of Forestry, Ebong Ngolle Ngolle has been shooting his mouth around with calls for America to not meddle in the affairs of Cameroon. With ties to the family of Prime Minister Ephraim Inoni, no one expects any better from one who was considered for dead when Biya reshuffled his last cabinet. He needs to show his allegiance to Inoni and Biya if he must complete the house that he is building in Tombel.
In the meantime, the fire is only starting at the foot of the Chariot of the gods. The warning signs have been there for all to see. Band-aid, quick-fix solutions will not fix the plethora of problems in Cameroun if this leadership is not forced out of power by the people. There is a price tag in human lives for freedom. Even Jesus died...to pay a price - For salvation.
Innocent Chia
Citizen Journalist
Email: innochia@gmail.com.
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