My Perspective As A First Language – English Speaking Cameroonian For A Constitutional Review
March 23, 2024
By Dr Peter Mbile *
Here's my contribution to a Constitutional review for this potentially great country in which nothing is impossible?
First, let me start with a Web definition for a *Constitution* :
_a body of fundamental principles or established *_precedents* according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed._
A Constitution must emphasize two fundamental Values:
_1. *Identity
2. Aspirations of that identity*_
There are 3 Fundamental Identies in Cameroon.
a. Ethnic African
b. English
c. French
_Our Constitution cannot seek a Utopia, and certainly must not subjugate any of our identities; instead, it must enhance all three_
In approaching this proposition, I would suggest that Cameroon doesn't opt for a Constitutional Review, but for a New Constitution.
This may seem daunting, but it is actually much easier, and likely to be very effective in resolving intractable problems and help create a fair, secure, progressive and especially *self-regulating society.*
*First*
Let me situate
*who we are*,
*where we are* and *where we should be*
1. *Who we are*
Cameroon is an African State of over 200 ethnic groups. Colonized by Germans, then by the French and British, (together).
Our significant current identities are however, Ethnic African, and influenced by the British and French.
We are bordered by Nigeria, with who the English Speaking part had a 44 years relationship (as an incorporated region) and still has strong socio-economic relationship; by Tchad, CAR, Gabon, Congo and Ecuatorial Guinea, with who the French part had and still has strong socio-economic relationships.
2. *Where we are* :
Before 2016, we had a misunderstanding in Bakassi, where a brief military conflict erupted with Nigeria.
We have resolved that now, yet the significance of our historical and social relationship with Nigeria (Africa's biggest economy) remains officially hesitant, and the huge economic opportunity only very partially capitalized.
We are both members of the British Commonwealth, thanks to the English Educated and Speaking parts, however, this relationship is largely managed by first language French Educated and Speaking Cameroonians.
Yet we maintain excellent diplomatic relationships with Nigeria.
We also, maintain excellent formal, diplomatic and political relationship with Tchad, CAR, Gabon, Congo and Equatorial Guinea through French-type regional political, economic and financial organizations.
We are a member of the French La Francophonie, a relationship managed appropriately by first language French Educated and Speaking Cameroonians.
Since 2016 the Northwest and Southwest regions have been experiencing armed attacks by "Anglophone" separatists who claim a right to a separate country for Anglophones.
Politically, the crisis is still largely managed by French Educated and speaking Cameroonians.
Before that, there has been a spillover of a religio-political conflict emanating from Northern Nigeria, led by Muslim extremists who claim a Caliphate in Northern Nigeria.
We also to, a lesser extent, have had to manage spillovers from armed conflicts in CAR.
Cameroon re-affirmed and adopted in 1996 a Unitary Constitution, with very strong, centralized Presidential powers dominated by French Educated and Speaking Cameroonians largely drawn from Ethnic groups of the French Educated and Speaking regions.
A new Law was passed in 2019 due partly to the "Anglophone Crisis", in the largely English speaking Southwest and Northwest regions to give some powers to regional and local councils across the country; and a "Special Status" to the Northwest and Southwest regions.
However, all these partial devolution of powers and especially the "Special Status" provisions remain fundamentally subordinate to the ultra centralized 1996 Constitution, controlled from Yaoundé, by first language French Educated and Speaking Cameroonians.
The Administrative system in Cameroon, including in the troubled Southwest and Northwest regions is run along the lines of the French, Presidential/Republican system; with appointed French Educated Administrators with almost Presidential Powers controlling everything and everyone with instructions from Yaounde; and powers from largely French Educated and speaking Cameroonians.
In fact both appointed Governors in the Southwest and Northwest (the 2 Majority English Speaking regions) are French Educated and Speaking.
Key institutions like Higher Education, Justice (including law and order), Public Works, Economy and Natural Resources that for the Southwest and Northwest were controlled by Buea before unification in 1961 are now all controlled from Yaounde by French Educated and Speaking Cameroonians.
*Where we should be*
The fundamental principles by which Cameroon should be governed (Constitution) must allow all three *Characters* of the Cameroonians to express themselves, fairly. These are;
a. Ethnic African
b. English
c. French.
*Where we should be* is governed by what *Vision* we want for the future of our children.
Such a Vision cannot be based on a *Falacious Utopianism* which assumes that Ethnic and Cultural affiliations and inclinations don't count; and that our English and French Education don't matter.
These two systems don't work well together.
They can infact be incompatible if mixed poorly.
Canada, one of the most advanced countries in the World is the only other English/French Bilingual System in the world; and is Federal, with Québec, the only French Speaking Province operating almost as an Independent country.
Cameroon must therefore be appropriately sympathetic to the English Speaking minority, who feel suffocated and unable to express their full Humanity; as African, English Speaking, in a majority French Language country.
In fact Cameroon is governed by these three Powers;*Ethnic Identity, English and French Systems*
A Constitution for Cameroon must therefore, create space for the *full and equitable* expression of all three Powers, where they matter in the lives of the Citizens.
So, as Fundamental Values and Principles, we should observe and respect:
1. *Our Historical Precedents* :
The first precedent is our lingua-cultural origin as a State.
English Speaking Southern Cameroons freely voted to unite with French speaking Cameroon in 1961.
We must therefore, not make the English Speaking Cameroonians to regret that watershed decision.
We must keep our promise to " *make unification work".*
We must therefore implement the Foumban Accords as originally agreed, and improve any shortcomings, based on the passage of time.
A second important precedent is our relationship with our neighbors.
We should first ensure that all progressive historical, social and economic relationships such as that which English speaking Cameroonians have with Nigeria; and Other parts with neighboring States, to the extent that they meet the aspirations of the citizens, are fully respected, enhanced and managed for mutual benefit.
2. *English & French Institutional Space and Aspirational control.*
*To be fair like Canada,*
English Speaking (and French Speaking) Cameroonians must have space to completely manage all fundamental aspects of *at least,* their Higher Education, Justice (including law and order), Public Works, Economy and Natural Resources aligned with their aspirations.
3. *Protection of Ethnic Identity and Aspirations*
Considering that representation through voting and elections have become a cornerstone of our Political life, we must have an Electoral code across the Southwest, Northwest and appropriately in the rest of the Country (if so desired) that ensures that the Ethnic Identity and Aspirations of one community *cannot* be compromised, destroyed or frustrated by other Ethnic groups, including foreigners, who are free to move, settle and work in other geographical areas.
No Cameroonian fell from the sky.
We all have villages or areas of origin. We must protect the value of our diversity by ensuring our Ethnic African Identity like English and French cannot be dominated, extinguished by another Ethnic group who are free to work and settle.
Finally, we must institute responsibility. Each Cameroonian owes his Nature: genes, DNA, good character, and bad to his/her roots/earth (his/her education too) and *community* .
Our Constitution must compel Cameroonians to contribute to their community, andvrequire of their community to exert peer pressure on them.
If a Cameroonian like Nganou achieves greatness he must be encouraged to give back to BATIE.
If a Cameroonian like XX commits a disgraceful or despicable public act, his Community must also take responsibility and be called upon to bring him or her to order (with help from government and the rest of society)
The rest of us can only benefit or support.
The first charity or responsibility must be with the Home front.
* Note: I don't speak for all first language English speakers, even those identifying as Anglophone
