The English-speaking regions of Cameroon are hopeful that the CPDM will get a resounding victory in upcoming regional elections so as to fast forward the reshaping, redirecting and empowerment process of the youth in these regions for growth and effective leadership. Irene Aweneg
Their turnaround from the deception of illusionary separatists, the bitter pill they have been served resulting in the crisis dilemma from which they are still recovering from, speaks volumes of a people who have realized they erred. Their manifested will for a change in the right direction by voting massively for President Paul Biya in the just ended election, is a loud cry out of a distressed people that have learned their lesson the hardest way and that are ready to turn a new page.
The once reserved and strict to the respect of cultural value system English regions of Cameroon have risked a complete adulteration of their values following the fallacy of separation fueled by unpatriotic and an ignorant few.
The saying, “once beaten, twice shy”, if it is anything to go by then these two regions are here to pick up their pieces once and for all; and to say never again.
The November 30 regional elections that follows the October 12 Presidential election avail them the perfect opportunity. They stand to correct errors that have threatened to erode the very fabric of their customs and traditions. The devastating effects of the Anglophone crisis has in one way or the other desecrated palaces and other secret artifacts in it.
Traditional rulers have faced challenges in leading and also communing with the people of their communities. Some Fons were made to flee from their palaces due to the crisis, losing the grip of preserving custom and traditions as most people especially children and youths move out of the villages in search of greener pastures.
The new orientation bringing them into the decision-making fold, gives traditional rulers in the North-West and South West regions power to work freely. As auxiliaries of the administration, the link between the administration and the people, they can better preserve their customs and traditions.
It is part of their duty to collect information, data on the problems faced by the people, document their needs and present to the administration for response.
This regional election gives these traditional rulers, Mayors, councilors the opportunity to vote and be voted to complete the decentralization process. In so doing the solutions to different problems will be found as the chiefs who are custodians of the cultures would talk on the behalf of their people in the regional council.
