By Mofor Samuel
Anyone traveling to and from Yaoundé and Douala after the February 2008 uprising that shook the foundation of the nation, will think that Cameroon is in a state of war. The numerous check points manned by the different elements of the country’s security forces- police, gendarmerie and army; with passengers having to pass through the control posts on foot and on presentation of their papers. In fact passengers cover several hundred metres on foot to join their buses since almost all the travelling agencies but for Guarantee Express and Centrale Voyage buses that go scout free.
President Paul Biya is one of the several African leaders who promised his people the basic freedoms denied them several hundred years ago by the White man. The promises of restoring basic freedoms to his fellow men have been ruthlessly suppressed. The principles of democracy and the edifice of democratic practices, which has been solemnly enshrined and neatly erected in the various independent constitutions, are promptly demolished. Besides, as soon as an African leader accedes to power with the support of the people, he develops a superior but false estimation of himself. He views himself as Godsent, and as the wisest man in the land (of recent Biya called fellow Cameroonians “apprentis sorciers”) who must as long as he lives, remain in power in order to ensure that heaven and hell do not collapse over the heads of the people of his country, by allowing any other of his countrymen, who are now considered by him as lesser than and inferior to himself, to succeed him.
One realizes that even the elementary freedom of dissent, which was employed by African leaders against colonialists with devastating effect during the agitation for independence, is stifled. By means of all these acts of self-delusion and repression, substance is exchanged for glittering shadow and the morale, the will and the enthusiasm of the people for great national endeavours are seriously eroded.
Cameroonian masses are victims of many diseases, some of which are endemic. Because their health is poor, they suffer from physical and mental inertia, and the loss of enthusiasm for life. Economic exploitation of the under-privileged by foreign and national exploiters continues apace in various guises. In International trade and finance, and in the supply of expert management and technical know-how, the terms are consistently loaded heavily against Cameroon which is terribly short of expertise in many vital areas of development.
With secondary and tertiary industries still in their infant stages, few social amenities which are inefficient and limited mainly to urban areas and communications are exceedingly inadequate and inefficient.
The masses who have all this while been impatient and yearning for better standard of living had to vent their anger last February by letting the magma in them flow during the last social eruption that threatened, shook and rendered Biya’s government helpless and impotent for five days.
In fact young Cameroonians went back to the campaigns for independence and employed the weapons of articulated dissent of boycott, socio-political pressure, of strikes and other industrial actions and of occasional outburst of violence against properties. They now seek to employ the same weapons to win economic, social and political advantages for themselves.
Organized labour movements (syndicates) are now uncompromising in their demands for a better deal from the government. The Press is not left behind in espousing the fundamental rights of the people. All of these are complicated and aggravated by other factors such as internally and externally generated inflation; unemployment and under- employment; malutilisation and misdirection of resources; and the inter- play of conflicts. In order to satisfy the crying but legitimate needs of the people, measures are hurriedly adopted which are ill-considered and, therefore to the chagrin and frustration of the people, ill-fated.
The million dollar question is, can Mr. Biya as a ruler single handedly: solve the economic woes, guaranteeing abundant food and excellent housing to all Cameroonians; prevent or minimize the risks of natural and man made disasters- floods, landslides, tornado, wild fire; accidents- road, air and water, thereby sparing Cameroonians of devastation caused by these disasters; combat and eradicate major prevalent and preventable diseases thereby reducing the high morbidity and mortality rates among young Cameroonians- leaders of tomorrow-thus making it possible for them quit the scene of action at a ripe age; put an end to all forms of violence – inter tribal wars, criminal killings, summary killings, witch hunting and victimization; insecurity etc thereby enabling Cameroonians to live in peace and security; and protect and restore Cameroon’s ecological system to perfect balance, transforming the country to a semi paradise on earth.
Never before have so many Cameroonians been in such dire need of compassionate help as they face hardship, famine, sickness, poverty, crime, civil strife and natural and man made disasters. Media reports tend to emphasize atrocities and acts of brutality. Daily acts of compassion and kindness are often eclipsed by these accounts. This does not change the fact that Cameroonians are desperate for love, affection and sympathy. In fact they hunger for compassion.
Showing compassion may not be easy in a society that seems predominantly cold and inhospitable. The prevalent attitude is that ruthlessness and insensitivity pave the way for success and triumph. Many appear to live by the creed that it is more prudent to be cruel than compassionate. Greed and egotism easily cut off the flow of compassion. As a result, many put themselves first, even at the cost of other people’s feelings or interests. Some political leaders behave similarly.
It is up to President Paul Biya whom Cameroonians all know to be a devout Catholic Christian to distant himself from the above mentioned attitude and show a lot of compassion to the Cameroonian suffering masses.
Compassion denotes a sympathetic awareness of another’s suffering or adversity combined with a desire to alleviate it. Like the warm rays of the bright sun, lessen pain and lift the spirit of an afflicted person.
President Biya and Co. can show compassion by their actions and their words- caring for others and being there when they need them. It is also good not to limit compassion to family members, friends and acquaintances. They have to widen out to include people whom they do not even know.
We all have as obligation to help those who, for whatever reason cannot help themselves. Displaying compassion, however, does not always come naturally.
For example for those of us who are used to the teachings of the Bible-President Biya inclusive- the Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians of Colossae, “strip off the old personality, with its practices and clothe yourselves with the new personality, which through accurate knowledge is being made according to the image of the One who created it… As God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, clothe yourselves with tender affections of compassion.” Colossians 3:9, 10, 12.
Thus cultivating a compassionate attitude takes effort. The attitude is a part of “the new personality” that we Cameroonians as children of God from the top to the bottom of the political ladder- president, ministers, directors, governors, high ranking security officers, managers, decision makers, parliamentarians, the clergy, employers , civil servants, men , women the young and the old, the common man etc, are expected to put on. As we live in this brutal world of today, we as human beings are called upon to make drastic changes in our personality in order for us to become more sympathetic, more compassionate.
Pessimists view those who show compassion as weak and vulnerable. This perception is not correct. The real force behind genuine compassion is deep love which originates from the Almighty God.
Compassion has the power to relieve affliction. It reflects a spirit of sympathy towards those in distress and causes us to suffer with those who suffer. Compassion involves tender regard for people in misery and positive action to help such ones.
And so there is every reason for Paul Biya and Co. to be tenderly compassionate with the Cameroonian suffering masses.
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