An Akere Muna ticket is both symbolic and strategic. It is a vote for national unity, for reconciliation, and for reimagining Cameroon with all its constituent parts in full stride, says Dr Peter Mbile
Brethren, let me say mysteriously that, I too see the candidacy of Barrister Akere Muna going places - why not?
This is not merely about politics—it is also for us about healing.
For personal and historical reasons, there is poetic justice in this gesture.
Afterall, It was ST Muna, the elder statesman, who orchestrated the removal of my father from government in 1972.
So, while lesser political figures pursued wealth and influence in Yaoundé, my father, NN Mbile, returned to Kumba with dignity, selling sand and gravel to ensure his children went to school.
So yes, there is a hatchet—but perhaps it is time to bury it - once and for all!
*A Platform for Anglophone Excellence*
Beyond personal history, I too would support an Akere Muna ticket because I believe Cameroon is overdue for a transformative platform led by the best Anglophones can offer.
For over four decades, Anglophones have been relegated to the sidelines of national life and decision-making.
Yet, we punch far above our weight.
Though officially only 20% of Cameroon’s population—likely more—we have consistently demonstrated outsized influence in education, governance, business, and civil society.
Akere’s candidacy offers a historic opportunity to move from the periphery to the centre of national transformation.
It allows Anglophones to bring our talents, integrity, and hard-earned lessons to the forefront of rebuilding Cameroon.
*A Platform for Cameroon’s Renewal*
Those of us who populate this platform—men and women of the "Pen", integrity, intellect, and experience—have observed Cameroon’s misfiring for over three decades.
We've quietly provided for our families and sent our children to school, even as a shaky system kept recycling dysfunction.
The time has come for more thoughtful, competency-based leadership.
Akere too is one of the few capable of delivering that - not everyone is running for Office!
Let’s be honest: many Anglophones who flourish under the current regime may not have survived in a truly merit-based Southern Cameroons.
We've seen the good, the bad, and the ugly among us.
But we’ve also seen statesmen—take Ngom Jua, for example.
When Ahidjo replaced him with ST Muna, Jua already had his continuance speech in his pocket.
He accepted the betrayal with grace, a mark of true leadership. Some may have gone into the "bushes".
*A History of Dignity and Resilience*
Our history is replete with episodes of quiet dignity in the face of humiliation.
When Foncha won the 1959 elections, visiting Kwame Nkrumah was departing from Tiko airport.
Outgoing Prime Minister Endeley was stripped of his official car at the airport and had to return to Buea in a friend’s vehicle!
We’ve known thuggery, injustice, and political pettiness long before it became common in our society today - we know.
Yet we also know democracy.
While Francophones fought for survival under French oppression, we experimented with parliamentary democracy.
Southern Cameroons once served as a safe haven for UPC members and others fleeing persecution.
Ironically, today Anglophones are the displaced ones—refugees in Douala and Yaoundé.
History has indeed come full circle.
*A Vote for Unity and Redemption*
An Akere Muna ticket is both symbolic and strategic.
It is a vote for national unity, for reconciliation, and for reimagining Cameroon with all its constituent parts in full stride.
The Southwest, as always, can rise to the occasion.
For decades, we have played the balancing force in Cameroonian politics.
We can do so again—this time with purpose, pride, and power.
So yes, for grounded, historical and forward-looking reasons, I see an Akere Muna ticket prospering.
Not for nostalgia, but for a renaissance.
Not for revenge, but for redemption.
*The author is an Environmental Management Specialist and commentator on Society and Politics. He is based in Yaounde, Cameroon and holds a PhD in Forest Economics and Management. This is the second part of an ongoing series.The views expressed are his
