Political Storm in Cameroon, Youths as mere Observers
2013 is an election year in Cameroon with the first ever senatorial election that will crown the long awaited Upper House of the National Assembly. The storm and political fever is at its peak with the same barons who have steered the affairs of the “political winning team” for generations criss-crossing the national territory hoping to add more titles to the existing ones. Condemned by a constitutional clause, the generations of young people born thirty years ago still have another nine years to dream of a senatorial title pushing them to be mere political observers.
Politicians in Cameroon vehemently stick to the slogan “Youths are the leaders of tomorrow” giving no chance for youths to dream of occupying positions of responsibility at their younger age as it holds in other countries. Another slogan that Cameroonian politicians apply is “Politics to politicians and school to scholars”, condemning a greater percentage of young people to be mere political observers.
The recent announcement of the first ever senate election in Cameroon is driving long old politicians for another power tussle as they gun to grasp senior positions against all odds. If not because of constitutional constraints, their quests for power will be to hold positions as mayors, parliamentarians and senators at the same time. Some politicians who have waited in the cold for too long have suddenly resurfaced to join the winning team that never let go their old friendship except those who have fallen prey to the country’s anti-corruption drive “Operation Sparrow Hawk”.
Some politicians are postulating their candidature as a call from the people while others term it a call from God. According to a renowned political pundit, some old politicians want to take advantage of this tense political atmosphere in the country and escape persecution given the fact that a majority of high profile members of the “political winning team” are already victims of “Operation Sparrow Hawk”.
Another group of politicians who had the opportunity to lead but never delivered services to the satisfaction of the people are popping up with another agenda. They see a brighter future for the people with another political portfolio gearing towards “Vision 2035” when most of them will not even be present to bear any consequence.
If the “political winning team” in Cameroon could shift its winning strategies to the “Indomitable Lions” of Cameroon, the country will make the best soccer squad in the world with very unbeatable records. A series of players of the Indomitable Lions have been on stage, acted and given way to another generation of players, but with the “political winning team”, their strategy seem to be very stagnant but ever victorious when they rely on long serving players who seat tight in the team and only move from one position to another.
Young people in Cameroon have observed and still remain observers in the slippery political atmosphere that has pushed most of them full of energy and knowledge to pursue greener pastures in the Diaspora at all cost. When will youths in Cameroon be at the center of action in politics? When will youths in Cameroon have a greater say in institutions that are designated to govern and give them their rights? When will youths feel the blessings of their fatherland that has been held hostage by politicians who have become blinded by their quest for power, egoism, and partisan politics?
The action of politicians towards the younger generation has caused many young people to see success in the making but suddenly it dashes away like a candle in the win. The actions of politicians in Cameroon have killed dreams and careers of the younger generation that would have turned this lovely fatherland into a pasture of opportunities.
All is not lost for the youths who are still very energetic. Rather than stay aside as political observers in a system that seem to have no mercy for young people, innovation and creativity should be at the center of every action. Let the wasted years of waiting steer the minds of young people to take their destiny into their own hands. When young people keep looking behind, they will stay wet in tears but if they focus on changing the future, they will learn how to defeat fear and manage it. Opportunities may be few but every initiative taken has silver lining.
According to Norman Vincent Peale, “Believe that problems do have answers, that they can be overcome, and that we can solve them”.
Nfor Canicius
