Cameroon’s Anglophone Crisis: Now is the time to give peace a chance !

 By Dr. Namanga Ngongi *

Dr.Namanga Ngongi

The horrific murder of young students at Mother Francisca International Bilingual Academy in Kumba on the 24^th of October, 2020, was a shocking reminder of the cruel situation in which the people of the North West and South West Regions of the country find themselves. The gruesome nature of this murderous act and the fact that the victims were young students in a classroom made their deaths even more painful. 

There have been vociferous protests throughout the country and voices from all shades of the political spectrum have decried this disdainful act of barbarity. It is difficult to find the right words to describe such an incident but suffice it to say that it is a great blight on the political image of Cameroon and an embarrassing source of shame for all of us. 

More so as it follows similar brutal killings in Ngarbuh, Muyuka and other localities. No words or volumes of tears can soothe the pain of the mothers, fathers, other family members of the seven children who lost their lives and the dozen who were injured. We do pray for the peaceful repose of the souls of the dead and for the full recovery of the injured children.

October 31 was declared by the Head of State as a national day of mourning and that was largely respected by the population. It provided another opportunity for the nation as a whole to come together to mourn the dead and call for peace to be restored.

The Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr. Dion Ngute, led a delegation to Kumba for a public ceremony to honour the dead students and echoed the call for peace to return to Cameroon. The ceremony was moving and most Cameroonians joined in the call for peace.

 But for peace to be restored the issues that led to the breach of the peace need to be addressed. Had the ongoing military confrontation been one of Cameroonians fighting an invading foreign army we would have expected all those able to bear arms to do so. But this is a conflict that pits Cameroonian against Cameroonian. 

Yes, some Cameroonians having been frustrated by a seeming disregard to calls for corrections of some issues, mostly of governance, and in reaction to provocative statements made by some senior government officials, decided to take up arms in a bid to secede and create a country named Ambazonia.

For more than half a century there had been relative peace and security in the country and Cameroon was looked upon as an island of peace in Central Africa. However, voices were being raised by people of the North West and South West Regions against what was seen as over centralization of administration and marginalization of Anglophones.

 Decentralization had been enshrined in the constitution of the country since January 1996 but little was done to implement even the limited measures that were envisaged. Besides the glaring marginalization and systematic witling down of the constitutional protocol positions held by Anglophones, the core of the Anglo-saxon heritage: Common Law, the Education System and community based development were under attack. 

Largely peaceful demonstrations on September 22, 2016, were brutally suppressed. Judging from actions now being taken to respond to the crisis, the issues raised do not appear to have been of such magnitude as to have merited such a violent crackdown. In hind sight, a stich in time would have saved nine.

A thorny issue, however, is the nature of the state. Calls have been made to revert to a federal constitution. This appears anathema to the government. So too is the Unitary state to the secessionists. Should Cameroonians be killing one another over the nature of the state? Federal, United, Unitary, Kingdom or just plain Cameroon, the boundaries would remain the same and the constituent population would not change. 

There may be internal adjustments to create new Regions, Divisions or Sub Divisions but that would not change the country. It is not in the Francophone tradition to have federations and it is not in the nature of Anglophones to have the degree of centralization as exists in the country. What needs to be discussed and agreed are the powers to be exercised at the center and those devolved to regions, Anglophone and Francophone regions alike.

What would Francophone regions lose if Anglophone regions used the common law system or had an Anglo-Saxon education system or carried out development activities through community based systems? 

The Civil Code will still be applicable in the eight Francophone regions and Anglophones living in those regions would be subject to it. And so would Francophones living in the Anglophone regions be subject to the Common Law. Anglophones wishing to follow the Francophone education system would be free to do so and Francophones would also be free to follow the Anglo-Saxon education system. 

The issue of marginalization of Anglophones in government and the administration cannot really be refuted. One only has to check the lists of members of the various national institutions and state enterprises. These issues can all be addressed and solutions found through dialogue. Where then is the problem? Are there other unarticulated issues?

Now that a bloody war is raging with gruesome consequences, urgent action needs to be taken to silence the guns so as to create an environment conducive to discussions. There is an urgent need for a ceasefire. This is not a time for the blame game but a time to rise above party politics, tribalism, Anglophone, Francophone and other prejudices. It is time to silence the guns and give peace a chance.

 Next year, 2021, will be 60 years since the historic unification of Cameroon. Anniversaries are important in the affairs of man and sixty years in the history of a country that was born from a bold political decision to form a Union is a significant period. We can all resolve to work towards achieving peace by the 60^th birthday of Cameroon as we know it today. It was a historic event which was driven by the vision of our founding fathers and mothers. It required courage and faith in ourselves and I was privileged, as a young student, to witness the public ceremony at the Buea Town Green. Peace at sixty (P@60) is achievable.

The Government has repeatedly called on Ambazonian separatists to drop their guns and return to civilian life through the DDR process. This call has not received the response expected. The Government has also taken commendable measures to implement some of the recommendations of the Grand National Dialogue including preparations for the forthcoming Regional Council elections but Ambazonian separatists were not represented at the Dialogue. On the other hand, Ambazonian separatists have reportedly shown some interest in a dialogue under Swiss mediation. 

It is now time for the Government and the Ambazonian leadership to find a solution to this crisis that has cost the country so much in terms of: thousands of human lives lost, Civilian, Military and Ambazonian fighters; hardship imposed on hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons and refugees; four years of education lost for hundreds of thousands of children; millions of livelihoods destroyed with disastrous consequences on youth employment; and the desecration of cultural, traditional, and religious institutions. All of these with the attendant psychological pain and waste of scarce national financial resources spent on the purchase of weapons. Bold actions are now needed to move the country forward from declarations of intentions to concrete actions for peace.

It is well understood that Governments all over the world are reluctant to sit down and discuss with secessionists. As a result many internal sociopolitical conflicts tend to drag on for decades at horrendous human, social and economic cost before solutions are found, mostly through dialogue. 

All efforts should thus be made to ensure that this will not be the case in Cameroon.  The conflict has already lasted too long. Governments are set up primarily for the protection of the lives, human rights and property of the citizens and guarantee national sovereignty. Governments should thus take all necessary measures including discussions with dissident groups, if and when necessary, so as to ensure that peace reigns, lives and property protected, human rights respected and so build the unity that ensures and sustains national sovereignty. This is not an act of weakness but a demonstration of a commitment to the discharge of the primary responsibility of governments. 

The President, Head of State and Commander in-Chief of the Armed Forces, in the interest of the populations of the North West and South West Regions and the country as a whole, can rise above the fray and instruct the Government to take bold actions that could establish a conducive environment for the restoration of peace in Cameroon through an inclusive dialogue.  

In the first place the Government should, as a matter of urgency, declare a truce or a temporary ceasefire that could last for a month and call on the Ambazonian leadership to do same. This will be a preliminary move to gauge the interest of the separatists to engage in a peace process. 

If the truce is reasonably well respected it could be extended for a further period of two to three months. During this period the Government would identify and approach an individual or an institution, national or international, acceptable to the other party to serve as mediator. The mediator’s first task would be to identify groups and/or persons who would take part in discussions to establish modalities for a more permanent ceasefire including a monitoring mechanism. With a ceasefire in place, the mediator would then proceed to the identification of groups that could participate in an inclusive peace conference or dialogue and secure guarantees for the free movement and security of all delegates. 

The mediator, in consultation with stakeholders, would prepare a draft agenda and propose a date and venue for the conference or dialogue. Cameroonians and interested persons in the international community have provided in-depth analyses of the issues that have contributed to the crisis. The Mediator will thus have sufficient documentation to guide substantive discussions with a view to reaching a consensus peace agreement.  

It may be that the truce or ceasefire will be violated many times and the mediator stumble from time to time but that should not derail the drive towards peace. There is still time for concrete actions to be taken that would lead to peace at sixty and save lives, property, livelihoods and guarantee national sovereignty. There is no need for one more Cameroonian to lose his or her life in this conflict. It is now time to give peace a chance.

*Dr. Namanga Ngongi is a former Under-Secretary General and Special Representative of the UN to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Head of the Peacekeeping Mission (MONUC).

"CUIB students are not really job-seekers but job-creators" : Professor Victor J. Ngoh,President

Prof. Victor Julius Ngoh,President of CUIB

Many people had doubted whether the Catholic University Institute of Buea(CUIB),was going to resume academic activities for the 2020/2021 school year, following a   misunderstanding between the outgone  management  of CUIB and the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Buea ,His Lordship Michael Miabesue Bibi,who is Proprietor and Chancellor of the Institute over personnel appointments the latter made in the institute.

But when Horizon Contributing Editor Christopher Ambe visited CUIB Buea last Friday students were busy with studies. He interviewed CUIB President Prof.Victor Julius Ngoh to know the situation on the ground. Excerpts:

Prof. Victor Julius Ngoh, it is almost a month following the resumption of schools in Cameroon. Would you say CUIB resumed classes hitch-free?

Thank you very much for this opportunity. Yes, the Catholic University Institute of Buea effectively started academic activities for the 2020/2021 year on the 28^th of October with orientation and registration of both new and returning students. Thereafter, lectures effectively started .And in view of the fact that CUIB is a Christian university, the school year started with the celebration of the Holy Mass on Thursday, 12th November by His lordship, Michael Miabesue Bibi ,who is the Chancellor and Pro-chancellor of the University. He was the main celebrant of that Holy Mass.

So I can confidently tell you that we have effectively started classes both on the Buea and Douala campuses.

How was admission of new students this academic year compared to the previous year?

Compared to last year, I am happy to tell the public that admissions into CUIB for the 2020/2021 year have been very good, because of the full involvement of faculty staff and alumni-and also the great interest that the Chancellor put to ensure that the new students were actually selected.

For the 2019/2020 school year, the number of new students was 100.For the 2020/2021 academic year, we admitted 307 new students. You can see that we have done very well, given the on-going Anglophone crisis and March 2020 Civid-19 pandemic.

Partial view of CUIB (Buea Campus)

What would you say makes CUIB a center of attraction?

 is a centre of attraction not because I am saying it; it is the feedback that we get from parents, students and of course the general public.CUIB blends the theoretical aspects of learning  with the practical or industrial or professional  aspects of learning and putting Christianity/God at the centre of all activities we do. And it has been established that our students are not really job-seekers, but they are job-creators, with the ethical and moral upbringing of Catholic teachings impact on faculty, staff and students.

 As the new president of CUIB, have you been having any conflict with some workers who were loyal to the previous management team?

We have not had any conflict.I think all of us are on board-the faculty members, the staff, the students and the administration working for the good of CUIB.No visible discontent. The Bishop has made it very clear that we move forward, and get everybody on board. So we are in the same board and have the same mission and vision for CUIB.

When you appointed by the Apostolic Administrator as the President and with the misunderstanding that ensued, I was reliably informed that you were receiving some threats from the previous management team. Are you still receiving such threats?

Well, the threats were not only against me;some administrators also received threats. I think it was out of desperation and frustration as they could not see themselves not being part of CUIB. We have to understand that society evolves and CUIB evolves and each and every one of us is called on stage at a particular time to play our role and leave the stage for others.

I understand University of Buea is the mentor university of CUIB.What is your appreciation of the relationship between the two institutions?

Well, from statements of officials that University of Buea send here to participate in academic activities, the relationship is very good. And I think you know, just as a good section of the public, that I was once a teacher at the University of Buea and I held several positions there. So the cordial relationship is there.We respect the University of Buea as our mentor. As the Deputy VC in charge of Teaching at University of Buea I said in one of our senate meetings that, the University of Buea can also learn from CUIB. So it is not a situation of a master-servant relationship.

 You said all is well at CUIB.But it is alleged there are cases in court against the CUIB.  Can you confirm this?

I have not received any court notification. So I would say as of today the CUIB has not been dragged to court. What I gathered is in court is the problem between the defunct Board of trustees of CUIB and the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Buea.

 What are the courses CUIB offers?

We have four schools: School of Agriculture & Natural Resources, School of Business, School of Engineering,School of Information Technologies and of course we have re-introduced the Higher National Diploma program. And to give you an idea,the School of Agriculture offers a BSc degree in certain areas and also an MSc degree ;the School of Business offers a BSc degree in certain areas and also an MBA degree.Then, the School of Engineering offers a BSc degree in certain areas;the School of Information and Technologies offers degrees in certain areas. And of course the NHD is offered under the canopy of the Ministry of Higher Education…

By the end of next year,I think we will graduate the first batch of master students.

Some people say studying at CUIB is very expensive when compared to state-owned universities in Cameroon. What is your reaction?

 It  is a misconception for anybody or any Cameroonian to say that studying in CUIB is more expensive than state-owned universities. State universities in Cameroon do not  pay tuition fees;they pay registration fee.. .There is a difference between tuition and registration fees. To say we are expensive more than State universities is not true. Even compared to other private institutions of Higher Learning, CUIB is not expensive.  In fact, some of our programs are less expensive or lower so long as payment of tuition fee is concerned. For instance, the HND program, our students pay a maximum of 280, 000 FCFA, but other private higher institutions of learning, students pay between FCFA 300,000 -400,000 for HND courses.

Before resumption of classes this academic year, there was wide-spread disinformation that CUIB was shut down. How did you succeed to fight against this?

You see it was not just fighting. We made sure we told the populations exactly what the situation on the ground was. And you know misinformation and disinformation don’t last long. They only succeed when the public is not informed A poorly educated public quickly falls prey to lies. I think Cameroonians have passed that stage and so always fact-check what they doubt.

Do you have any other message about the CUIB for the public?

I can only say CUIB is on and doing very well. Our two campuses in Buea and  Douala are functioning smoothly…

Why did CUIB decide to have another campus but in Douala?

CUIB chose to have another campus in Douala when it did principally because of the crisis in the Northwest and Southwest regions. Our main Campus which is well-built and well-furnished is in Wokaka,a neighborhood in Buea;but secessionist fighters harassed and intimidated  workers/students and so parents and students could no longer take the risk; in order to keep CUIB going it was decided that a campus be created in Douala,to take care of the academic and spiritual of students whose parents were scared to allow their children come to Buea.

 

Moderator says Despite Threats PCC still for peaceful resolution of Anglophone Crisis

 On Sunday  November 15,2020 ,which  was the 63rd Presbyterian Church Day, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church In Cameroon (PCC),Rt. Rev. Fonki Samuel Forba ,delivered an important  message not only to Presbyterians but to Cameroonians in general. 

In his message, the Chief Shepherd noted  that, despite threats directed at the PCC  the Christian organization won't relent in pressing for a peaceful resolution of the Anglophone crisis.

Below is  Rt. Rev. Fonki 's  message:

" Fellow Presbyterians,

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

KEEP WATCHING!

Salutation

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it”(Ps 118: 24). I bring you greetings of love, peace and comfort from the holy hill of the Synod Office in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ during this year’s celebration. I hope and pray that we will be celebrating under the strict observance of the COVID-19 barrier measures. Like the Apostle

Paul wrote to the Corinthians, may “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ” (2 Cor. 1: 3-5).

Appreciation

We thank many of you for the maturity and commitment demonstrated to our Church during the trying moments of the pre-electoral process from the congregations through the Presbyteries and to the Synod. This process, at some point, almost tore our Church apart, but God cannot be torn apart! Your spiritual maturity and commitment have kept our Church intact and moving forward to the “promised land,” despite her imperfections due to our own human imperfections. Jesus Christ, who is the head and body of His Church remains perfect and will always perfect his Church

We are the Church militant, this church is always the suffering and persecuted church, passing through all types of travails as she progresses to become the church triumphant. Ours is a liberal and inclusive Church that allows everyone to freely express his/her feelings. This may be a weakness as viewed by some people, but to others it is the unique strength of Protestantism. However, an over-protestant spirit must not be used to destroy our Church; it should rather be used to build and strengthen her.

May God continue to use each and every one of us, despite our weaknesses, as servants of love, forgiveness, justice, peace, reconciliation and progress! We are calling on all Presbyterians of goodwill to surrender to the cross every hate borne through the last season of elections. We virtually do not have problems with one another. We have chosen a system to select leaders; the application of that system brings out our weaknesses as human beings. It took about four years to heal the Church after the 1985 Synod election. This must not be so with us today. Let us throw away the anger and bitterness of the past and pray for peace in

subsequent elections. We cannot achieve anything with anger. We can never truly pray when we are angry.

We must also deeply acknowledge your love for us which was so overtly demonstrated by your unprecedented financial and material mobilization towards the Thanksgiving and Induction service of the Moderator and the Synod Clerk in March this year. Above all, you made generous financial donations toward the building of a new befitting Synod Office. We can now gladly announce to you that we have started the project.This new Synod Office project will carry the growing size of our operations, increase our credit worthiness and reflect the intention of our vision and mission.

Dear Presbyterians, silver and gold, we do not have to give you, but our prayers for you will remain your immeasurable portion of blessings. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his/her life for the leaders of his/her Church, and for the progress of his/her Church (Jn. 15:13 Paraphrased). May the good Lord replenish your resources a hundredfold so that you will be able to sponsor this project until its completion.

Context

The Covid-19 pandemic came to reiterate the fact that we are vulnerable as mortals, and also that only God can guarantee this life and human existence. As Christians, let us give God thanks in all circumstances because we know that whatever God permits, He has a reason for doing so. Some have died, many live in fear; others are affected socially and economically. As a church, we have not lost faith or hope. During the intense period of Covid-19, our home worship services achieved much for our members, lay ministries emerged, and family devotions were strengthened. There is every reason to deepen house fellowships and lay ministries in the Church. Who knows when another crisis will emerge wherein the ordained ministry shall be incapacitated? Only God knows what this pandemic has done to our faith.

The times have become so unpredictable that we now see ourselves increasingly just living each day at a time. This calls us to be alert, vigilant and faithful to our God, to be more dependent on Him as individuals and as a community of faith. The secret of Christian life is to be watchful and ready at all times. The word of the Lord says,”Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong”(1Cor. 16:13).

Furthermore, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation” (Mt. 26:41a). This is not the time for us to surrender to the weaknesses of our flesh, but to invoke and stand on God’s strength.We must all keep watching against the plans of the evil one as we keep worshiping our Creator and Sustainer.

VISION

Our current mandate is pegged on the leitmotif, “Wake Up, Watch Out!” thus the theme of this celebration. On a spiritual and pastoral note, we will deepen our spiritual zeal and pastoral care. Emphasis shall be laid on e-worship, e-evangelism and e-fellowship. Today, we should be able to get the gospel to people who do not attend church services. We are calling on all urban congregations to setup communication structures and digital equipment to ease the communication of the Gospel. We appreciate the PCC Online Daily Devotional, the PCC TV Channel on you-tube, daily meditations from our Pastors, MY PCC applications containing the Church Hymnary and the Daily Bible Readings and Dairy.

The details of our vision were articulated during our stakeholders’ training workshop. I bring to you an excerpt of it:

Economically and socially, we shall continue with our investment policy towards self-sufficiency. The Financial Secretary has stated this in the Corporate Resource Empowerment Plan (CREP)… Remember our watchword SLEM: “Spend Less, Evangelize More” and other economic policies like;“one congregation, one farm”, “from self-reliance to self-sufficiency”, from minimal to optimal exploitation of resources”. It is in this light that PC Bonamoussadi- Douala, is constructing a Secondary School under something like a public -private partnership scheme. PC Bastos, Yaounde has invested in real estate at the Nyom neighbourhood. PC Azire, Bamenda has invested in shopping stores around their church compound. We would have been happier to hear that Dikome and Akwaya Presbyteries now own sizeable cocoa and „bush mango‟ farms respectively – this is how we should be thinking (Keynote address at StakeholdersTraining Workshop,September 2,Buea).

The State of Our Mission

This year’s celebration of world day of peace was unique. It was meant to revive our pursuit for peace in the ongoing crisis in the North West and South West regions. We thank God for the mammoth turnout and for the clarity of our message for peace. The PCC has done all that is required to bring about justice, peace, love, forgiveness, reconciliation, reason and sanity to end this senseless war of attrition to no avail. If our hands could reach the stop button to press and justly end this war, we would have long done so as a Church. Our role is more of advocacy; praying and soliciting for peace and justice, and we have reached out to every major stakeholder in this armed conflict nationally and internationally. The Church can’t do more than she is able to do, but we will not relent, despite the abuses and threats directed at us. We will continue to intensify our humanitarian activities and visits to the refugees and IDPs more often during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic.

One unshakeable truth is that those who do not value human life and protect it as sacred, but destroy it are either murderers or oppressors of God’s children. Such can never be supported by the Church and her leaders. The Church is apolitical as she is the eyes, mouth, soul, mind, heart, and hand of God in every nation and place on earth. By these uncompromised principles of the Church, we shall not take sides in this struggle; we will stand strong against human rights violations, pursue peace and stability, and protect the livelihoods of the oppressed. The church listens and follows the voice and counsel of her founder - Jesus the Christ. Therefore no one will be able to influence us to act otherwise.

We re-emphasize our call to our Government to continue inclusive dialogue and bring this conflict to a just end; it is her responsibility. Let us get into the bushes and bring out our brothers and conscientize them to heed to peace that benefits their own people. We call on the Government to speed up the reconstruction process and to release more prisoners in the different cells. Meanwhile, congregations are called upon to continue caring for the internally displaced persons. Nothing is too small for someone who is hungry. The Apostle Paul exhorts us, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Gal. 6: 9-10).

Despite the difficulties and challenges faced by the educational sector of our Church, both the resilient, devoted and sacrificial teachers and students of our schools have given us reasons to smile and keep marching on with hope by the end of course excellent results at the primary, secondary and high school levels at the just ended 2019/2020 academic year. The following six Presbyterian Education Authority schools scored 100% at the Ordinary Level; PCSS Buea, PSS Bafut, PCSS Mfou Yaounde, PCHS Limbe and PHS Nkambe. Meanwhile the following four schools scored 100% at the Advanced Level; PCSS Buea, PSS Douala, PCSS Azire and PHS Kumba. We give God the glory for our exceptional teachers and congratulate them for a job well done. You remain the models of our Church’s workforce.

We have not relented and will never relent in our effort to give solace to our brethren sacrificing for our Church and for humanity, and performing a noble duty within our educational sector. We had initiated a payment plan and have paid more than 90% of the accrued salaries of our teachers because of the armed conflict in the North West and South West regions which forced them out of work.

The advent of the coronavirus that abruptly caused the shutdown of the rest of our schools was a big challenge that added to the load we were already grappling with. To cope with the unexpected exigencies of the pandemic, we had initially reduced the allowances and salaries, not only of our teachers, but also that of all the workers of our Church. With the payment of the special subventions to schools by the Government during this COVID-19 pandemic, we are paying the balances of the curtailed allowances and salaries to our teachers.

We are at an advanced stage in the construction of the Inclusive Child-Eye and Pediatric hospital in Limbe. Plans have been completed to start the construction of a state-of-the art hospital complex in Bamenda. We are about completing the construction of an Oxygen Plant at the Inclusive Child-Eye and Pediatric hospital in Limbe. Make no mistake, these projects are sponsored by our Partners who have found our leadership worthy.

The Presbyterian General Hospital in Kumba now is the referral hospital within that city and its environs. Doctors Without Borders are using this health facility to provide healthcare to the victims of war within that part of the South West region. Given the demands on this health facility, we are expanding it to handle the demands.

This year, we have completely refurbished and redesigned the Youth Center in Limbe and effectively equipped it with machines, computers, sowing lab and kits amongst others, to empower our youths with tailoring, catering, information and communication technologies, and hair dressing skills. The center was opened in September this year and is operational. We intend to refurbish the other existing Youth Centers in the days ahead.

Today, we own and are running, the PRES MICROFINANCE (PRESMFI) institution – category 2 – with headquarters in Buea. Other branches have been prospected for the North West and other parts of the country. These social ventures will create employment opportunities to young Cameroonians and help grow our church.

As a complementary factory to our PRESPRINT in Limbe, we completed the structure to house the machines for our Paper Conversion and Processing Plant adjacent the PRESPRINT. The setting up of the machines for operation is ongoing.

In the midst of all the challenges we are facing, we have not just hopelessly folded our arms, but have continued to exploit any and every available opportunity to give a facelift to our Church, and lay a solid and great foundation for her future. We would be doing a great service to our Church if we become part of these investments and activities intended to give our Church, not just a stable financial base for greater and transforming evangelization, but also to ensure our financial independence and self-sufficiency. As a post-diamond Jubilee Church, let us claim these investment projects, own them, talk about them, be proud of them and patronize them. They are the institutions and property of your Church, not those of any leader or individual of the Church because the leaders and individuals come and go, but the PCC remains.

Conclusion

Everything that is happening around us challenges us not to slumber, but to stay awake and keep watching. Watching calls us to be as wise as serpents and as humble as doves. We must keep watching by praying fervently for divine strength, protection, wisdom and deliverance from the forces of oppression and destruction in our society. We must also continue to be one another’s keeper by reaching out to the suffering and displaced brethren around us.

We will not remain inactive, but continue on our path of progress and seeking justice, peace, love, care, forgiveness, reconciliation, healing, deliverance and the ultimate good of our Church, country and humanity; while keeping watch and abiding in His wisdom and strength!

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (cf. Rom 15:5-6).

May God keep and bless you all,

May God keep and bless the PCC,

May God keep and bless our country!

Happy Celebrations.

Yours for the Sake of the Faith,

Rt. Rev. Fonki Samuel Forba

Moderator, PCC

Cameroon:96-year-old Matriarch,Catherine Musoko,Dies

The nonagenarian was born on July 2,1924 and she passed away on November 1,2020

" FOR THOSE WHO SLEEP IN CHRIST, LIFE HAS CHANGED, NOT ENDED "

Mrs. Catherine Ebie Musoko née Lyonga

On behalf of all the descendants of Reverend Daniel Mbua Lyongaand Nyango Susannah Elinge Lyonga, we have the honour to announce, with tears in our eyes, but with immense gratitude to God in our hearts, the transition to eternal glory of our beloved mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, mother-in-law, great-aunt, cousin and friend,

Mrs. Catherine Ebie Musoko née Lyonga, who was fondly known simply as “Makaty”. Makaty exited this earth on Sunday, November 1st 2020, All Saints Day. MAKATY was (and will forever remain in our hearts):

⧫ the compassionate and exemplary MATRIARCH of the Lyonga family - the loving and generous mother to not only her six offspring, but also to numerous children of family relatives and friends, all of whom she nurtured and raised to become successful and productive members of society. A wonderful mother-in-law to her children’s spouses with whom she cultivated and nurtured personal and individual relationships and who cherished her love and warm sense of humour. A Godmother and namesake to many, whose lives she took an active interest in. Even the American Peace Corps and the British Overseas volunteer staff, where she worked, came to regard her as their “Cameroon mother”, with several of them maintaining close links with her, even after they returned to their home countries - such was the ubiquitous nature of her nurturing motherliness. A generous spirit who quietly and consistently offered tangible help to all those who had been dealt a difficult hand in life;

⧫ a devout CHRISTIAN & CHURCH LEADER - Makaty was a God-fearing, prayerful woman of relentless faith, who imparted the same to all the young ones in her charge. She made daily bedtime devotions with bible stories, memory verses and song captivating for all. She relished Christmas time and would organise her family and Sunday school children in spreading the good news of Christ’s birth. Going a-caroling in the neighbourhood, and rehearsing for nativity plays at home and in the Church, were eagerly anticipated fixtures in the community; she always found time to organise it all and include everyone, too. She also took on such roles as Church Elder, lay Preacher, patron of several choir groups, Sunday School Commissioner. She was an active and valued member of the CWF and was for three decades the President of The Poor & Needy Committee of her Church. Makaty was also Representative to the World Council of Churches;

⧫ a perennial INTELLECTUAL & SCHOLAR - Her father was one of the very few Cameroonians of his time to have been formally educated, so he encouraged his sons and daughters to fulfil their intellectual aspirations. By gaining a tertiary education, and doing so at prestigious institutions in Cameroon and overseas, Makaty was a trailblazer for girls/women for the ages. She did so with unparalleled intelligence, courage and tenacity. She endured hardships in getting to the exclusive St. Ann’s Girls’ School – Kudeti, Ibadan, Nigeria, as a young girl. Later on, in between having her children, she would go on to study at the distinguished Weymouth Teacher Training College in England (part of Bournemouth University), and then at the University of Colorado in Fort Collins, USA. Her daughters as well as the myriad of young ladies she taught would come to believe “highly educated women” can be the norm;

⧫ a veteran EDUCATOR - a superlative pedagogue, both nationally and overseas. Beginning at an early age as headmistress of the venerable Basel Mission Girls' School Victoria, through decades as Senior tutor of English Language and Literature in the Baptist Teachers' Training College, Buea - the first Black woman to rise to such a lofty position within this distinguished and prestigious institution; Saker Baptist College Victoria (Limbe); and the Baptist Boys Secondary School, Buea. Makaty also taught in Nice, France; in Lucerne and Lugano Switzerland, and in London and Dorset, England. She brought back best practices from such experiences and enhanced the holistic education to those she taught at the various institutions in her homeland, and indeed in raising her children. Myriads of Cameroonians in luminous professional careers, scholastically and otherwise, attribute their success to Makaty’s patient and diligent academic and overall instruction and guidance. As an educational leader, she also served on several boards, inter alia the Scholarship Board of the then West Cameroon; the Board of Governors of PSS Kumba;

⧫ a CHAMPION of WOMEN'S AFFAIRS and COMMUNITY ORGANIZER - in which capacity she spent some time studying in the United States as a member of the Association of American University Women. Upon her return to Cameroon, she applied the knowledge she had garnered and her experience to found and organize the Progressive Women's Group of Soppo, Buea;

⧫ a CULTURAL PROMOTER & INFLUENCER - an eloquent and stalwart advocate of her beloved Mokpe language, its proverbs, songs, folklore and noble culture. - she was adamant that Bakweri children (and indeed adults) speak only Bakweri and/or English, with Pidgin a total taboo! She wrote and was vocal about traditional Mokpe marriages and customs, including the Liengu initiation rites. She also spoke (and wrote) faultless Duala, fluent Bakossi and Banyangi, and a smattering of Bafaw and French, languages.

Makaty was not only extremely intelligent, she was also blessed with innate wisdom and an affinity and deep insight into the human condition. With great sagacity, she imparted her wisdom to many that helped in defining not only their lustrous careers, but influenced their personal and interpersonal relationships, too. She was extremely well-connected at all strata of society, and directly enabled as matchmaker par excellence many fabled marriages of her peers and friends;

⧫ a SOCIAL and POLITICAL ACTIVIST - as one of the earliest leaders of the W.C.N.U. in Fako, Makaty inspired women to get involved in the political issues which affected their lives. Later, she would become the C.P.D.M. Section President for Fako Division. Makaty always deemed an involvement in politics or any leadership role as simply a conduit to serving one’s people. She did that well, and mostly with little fanfare. Her fulfilment was in little things that made a big difference; like when her influence within CPDM resulted in running water for the remote villages, etc. Makaty exhibited warmth, grace and humility as well as an inherent respect for her fellow man regardless of their status in society. She found equal joy in working for local causes as she did working on umpteen international forums where she represented her country: a photograph of her shaking hands and curtsying to Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia was placed next to one of her with some young Brownies dancing in her yard;

⧫ the QUINTESSENTIAL GIRL GUIDE - Makaty was one of the founders of the Girl Guides Association of Cameroon. She rose to become its International Commissioner, in which position Makaty travelled extensively in Africa and Europe attending international conferences and jamborees, as she furthered the movement back in Cameroon.

⧫ We cannot enumerate fully Makaty’s manifold accomplishments and qualities. A warm, indiscriminate and hospitable hostess at all times, she was well known for her love of entertaining; for her insistence on daily family ‘sit-down at the table’ meals which she approached with almost the same gusto as she did formal dinners with high ranking dignitaries; for her voracious love of reading, impeccable grammar and diction; for her innate knack for public speaking - she could easily deliver a powerful impromptu speech at any occasion or event, even more so when she was a scheduled speaker; for her particularly avid passion for reading and writing poetry; for her love of pets, of gardening, of swimming, of long walks in nature; for her love of classical music and ballroom dancing (think Hammersmith Palais in the ‘60s); for her nurturing of life-long friendships; for her diligence; for her disciplined yet friendly and unaffected manner…for her broad smile and infectious laugh.

⧫ Makaty was indeed the archetypical polymath, a dynamic and charismatic woman who commanded elegance and presence, whilst exuding genuine simplicity and joy; who, although she had highly refined and sophisticated taste, only had indulgences for quality and plentiful food for her household and guests, pristine household linen for everyone in her home at all times, and for books...yes books of all genre, for Chanel No.5 perfume and the best hand creams. A graceful and gracious woman, who despite the many challenges she faced, lived a full, well-integrated and impactful life; who was both loving and well-loved. Hers was a life well lived.

⧫ Makaty was preceded in death by her daughter, Dr. Olive  Musoko; six of her seven siblings, Messrs. Richard, Jovi Lyonga, Rev. Mbella Lyonga, Mses. Eposi, Bertha, Nalova Lyonga; her parents, Rt. Rev. Daniel Mbua & Ma Sussanah Jovi Lyonga; her sister-in-law, Rev. Irmhild Lyonga; her son-in-law, Kevin L. Kamm, Esq.; as well as a host of cherished and lifelong friends and relatives.

⧫ She leaves behind to mourn her dearly, her five children; her seven grandchildren; her two great- grandchildren; her youngest sister (whom she raised as her ‘first child’*); her ever caring in-laws (Chief Fred Nguime-Ekollo & Mrs Assia Musoko); her dedicated doctor, Dr George Assam; her acclaimed trusted housekeeper and confidant of several decades, Auntie Cecy Okole, who meticulously and lovingly helped implement Makaty’s high standards for her children and household, during her busy career and frequent travels; her devoted carers and nurses in her twilight years, who considered looking after her a great honour - they relished her regaling them with her life stories, sprinkled with wisdom and witticisms - all of whom became and have remained a most valued and loving extension to her family; a host of nieces and nephews; as well as thousands of her former students and other members of the Cameroon global community who will always cherish their memories of her.

⧫ We, the family, look forward to having a befitting celebration of the life of this phenomenal woman and icon of our society. Thank you for joining us as we salute this monumental figure of our time.

REST IN PEACE AND RISE IN GLORY, DEAREST MAMA,

(2 July 1924 – 1 November 2020)

Your children with reverence, deep appreciation and love:

Ena*, Ndoiya, Bomsie, [Mbangs], Lingus, Ilome, Maloks.

“A THING of beauty is a joy forever:

Its loveliness increases; it will never

Pass into nothingness;

but still will keep

A bower quiet for us, and a sleep

Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing” ~ John Keats