Ahead of planned CPDM regional seminars, it is difficult not to think of the importance of these trainings meant for militants at a time when their commitment to the party is tested by the current situation.
By constantly tending a listening ear to its militants and keeping them abreast with the demands of the Party, the CPDM has been able to keep a close eye on those who have chosen to abide by its ideologies and are ready to uphold them come what may. The coming into play of the Academy was a more direct means by which the party can train its followers, better preparing them to face the opposing camp. So far so good, but the crisis which have led to the North West and South West regions sliding to the shadows is to blame for many party supporters either denouncing or hiding their militancy.
Difficult to show ones political leanings when one’s life is on the line, many have attested. Several reports indicate huge losses recorded especially by CPDM supporters in the two regions since the beginning of the crisis, and there is no need for a crystal ball reading to denote why. Now with the decision to organize seminars, the Party’ hierarchy seeks to use these as a means of reconnecting with the base, and letting everyone in on the role they have to play at various levels for the smooth functioning of the party. No doubt the directives dished out last week during a meeting chaired by Jean Nkuété, Secretary General of the Central Committee were for those in charge of coordinating these meetings to recall that the interest of the Party comes before everything. T
his is a task which the teams meant to travel to the Anglophone regions are ready to carry out despite the security challenges and context. According to Prof. Elvis Ngolle Ngolle, lecturer and coordinator of the seminar for the South West region, the participants have been duly informed and the meetings will hold. “So far there has been some relative calm which gives way to think that the trainings will go as planned on such topics as political commitment and electoral discipline, the role and responsibilities of youth and women as well as local leaders”.
The teams have the duty of reminding militants of what their roles are within the party, convincing those who are nurturing doubts and fence sitters and strengthening those whose faith in the party has been shaken with the difficult times and the rough political terrain.The decision for these trainings to be done in light of the many electoral rendez-vous in which the party is awaited has been taken and as like Rudy Giuliani, one time mayor of New York once said, “When you’re in a crisis of tremendous proportions…, you just make the best decisions you can, and you just hope that your intuition is correct”. After the regional seminars, other relay meetings are expected to hold during which information will be ferried further down the chain.
Claudette chin
