Militants, supporters, and sympathizers of the Cameroon Peoples Democratic Movement, CPDM [Cameroon’s ruling party] in the United States of America, USA held a three-day groundbreaking Section Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, August 19-21. They came from Cameroon, Canada, Europe and across the USA.
The conference, a statutory meeting of the section was held on the theme: “Assuming an instrumental role in nation building through peace, culture, diplomacy, civic engagement and accountability”
Speaking at the Confab, CPDM USA Section President, Yaah Patience Tamfu, praised supporters for the massive turnout.
The main worry of the section remains the conflict ragging in the English-speaking part of Cameroon.
While mourning lives lost in the two Anglophone regions to the armed conflict that is crossing over to the sixth year, Tamfu Patience said the crisis can only be resolved through dialogue and not violence. “Our differences cannot be resolved if we do not talk and come to terms,” Patience said.
Like other members of the CPDM, and peace loving compatriots Tamfuh reiterated the section’s support for a united, democratic, and indivisible Cameroon.
She was aghast at members of the Diaspora who are bankrolling the conflict, instigating violence and misconstruing events back home to lobby international actors and earn sympathy from host governments. “If the killing of innocent children, shutting down of schools, raping women, arming our youth, tearing down our communities, calling for the killing of UN officials, and all the other atrocities are your proposed solutions for Cameroon’s future, then the solution is worse than the problem, ” she said. Towards the end of 2017, a meaningful strike of teachers and lawyers from the two Anglophone regions was hijacked. Young adults picked up arms to fight for a breakaway of the English-speaking part from the rest of Cameroon to form a new country they hope to call Ambazonia. Cameroon authorities sent in troops to fight the armed separatists, and protect its territorial integrity.
The crisis has made many victims. Thus, the CPDM USA section pledged to support the population of the conflict-hit regions.
Besides, the conference orbited on touching the lives of the members of the section. Dr. Liza Ekole Nee Fomum a global authority on interpersonal leadership and well known transformational speaker, and member of the civil society was brought in as keynote speaker during the conference. Her presentation on the conference theme drew positive reviews. The section President in a thank you note to her said her style invigorating. “I am extremely grateful to you ( Dr Liza Ekole) to have touched on leadership and capacity building….this created so much awareness,” she added.
The section conference also featured three panel discussions on: Pathways to develop an understanding and collaborative mechanisms between authorities in Cameroon and Diaspora; the role of political parties in the process of nation building and the 2035 emergence vision and role of technology and innovation in accelerating and enhancing development. Panellists were from diverse walks of life.
Clearing goods at Cameroon’s ports, collaborative mechanisms with the Diaspora, the Anglophone crisis (conflict in the English-speaking part), and the role of youth in development and opportunities for Cameroon’s youth were discussed. Discussions also touched on how technology can benefit healthcare at home, and the urgent need for a robust infrastructure to drive up economic growth in Cameroon. These exchanges gave resolutions which have been transmitted to the party hierarchy in Yaounde.
The conference was a success; an outcome which has been attributed to the collective effort and collaboration among the executive and members of the Party, while mentioning well wishers. The Organising Committee Chair, Yvonne E. Mbatti Epse Musoko threw flowers on speakers, moderators, panellists, and presenters. She expressed gratitude to the sponsors.
The confab also featured speeches from the Northeastern and Southeastern Sub Section Presidents, Ben Ekwalla and Henriette Malouma respectively. Both leaders praised the organisers.
By Jude Viban
