As in years past, militants of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, CPDM once again demonstrated the party’s dominance on Cameroon’s political scene by their numbers and enthusiasm.
The day was bright and fair, it was a happy day, evident on the faces of those at the 20th May Boulevard in Yaounde. In keeping with tradition, the CPDM closed the march past, thereby ending the parade of political parties represented at the National Assembly. It was a vibrant show of force as the men, women and youths that makeup the three wings of the party chanted and swung their arms in unison, beautifully clad in the brown, blue and purple party fabric.
It was quite a sight to behold when the “Amazons” opening the parade for the CPDM appeared. Thanks to several rehearsals, the women mastered their steps, wore bright smiles as they were cheered on by the beaming National President, Paul Biya. This group was followed by the special dispositive that pushed the national president’s effigy ahead of two special squares. The first being that of those born in 1972 representing unity and the second square being those born in 1982, representing the New Deal generation.
Gregoire Owona, Deputy Secretary General of the Central Committee repeated tradition, this time around dressed in the beautifully made Toghu men’s gown of the North West region. His reverence before the party’s “Champion” did not go unnoticed. Unlike the previous year when at that moment, the militants had been drenched by torrential rains, the gods of the land closed the skies and the droves of militants from the seven Sections of Mfoundi Division led by their respective Section Presidents showed their undying support. Ndam Sanatou, militant of Yaounde V Section rejoiced at her participation in the parade, stating that “whether rain or shine, our support for the CPDM is unwavering”.
A few months to the presidential elections, the militants of the CPDM demonstrated beyond doubt that their president should count on their support as they brandished messages saying that campaigns of disinformation and intoxication will not be endorsed. One of the banners read “unity in diversity, a marker of Cameroonian identity” to buttress the indivisibility of the nation. They stressed that “with Paul Biya, despite the crisis, Cameroon remains on its feet and continues to move forward.”
Claudette Chin
