Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh: American “Think Tank” Sympathizes With Marafa

The National Democratic Institute, NDI, an American “think tank” with close links to the Democratic Party, is well known for its work in advancing the democratic process in Africa. Since the reintroduction of multiparty politics in Africa, the NDI has been so active in assisting African societies build viable institutions. Most Cameroonians can recall with a lot of freshness the work the National Democratic Institute did in the 1991 and 1992 legislative and presidential elections in Cameroon. Their report which sent stroke waves down the spines of government officials was categorical that the elections in Cameroon were designed to fail. Communication Minister at that time, Prof Augustine Kontchou Koghemni declared that Cameroon had nothing to learn from the United States of America. The man at the helm of that report was Dr. Chris Fomunyoh.

In most quarters he is known as Mr. Africa. He has traveled the length and breath of Africa and has monitored practically all elections in the continent. His opinion is upheld at the White House. He frequents most of the African heads of state and is solicited all over to assist in developing a credible electoral system. Each time he is in Cameroon, he makes sure he expresses his opinions to the press on how he would want the democratic process in Cameroon to advance. Dr. Chris Fomunyoh is a political scientist that has contributed immensely to the evolution of the political and democratic situation in Africa.

Dr. Chris Fomunyoh And The Marafa Connection

In an interview in Le Messager newspaper No. 3658 of Friday August 17, 2012, Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh explained his interest in the Marafa affair and why he was in court when the proceedings were going on. He also addressed national issues including the political situation of Prof Maurice Kamto who resigned from government after the 2011 presidential elections and is now contemplating a political party. He holds that his presence in court last August 9, 2012 when the Marafa case was going on was to see for himself how the Cameroon judicial process operates. He said as every other Cameroonian; he is interested in the Marafa affair especially as it concerns many high personalities of the land. Dr. Chris Fomunyoh called for a just and fair trial and wished that the matter helps in throwing more light on the state of Cameroon functions.

Asked whether his presence at the court and especially the fact that he discussed with Marafa and the fact that both him and Marafa were in the run up to the 2011 presidential elections presented as favourable candidates supported by the West, Dr. Fomunyoh said it made no sense to stop people from thinking what they want to think even when such thoughts did not correspond to his thoughts and manner of doing things.

As concerns the series of letters that Marafa has written, Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh saluted the move arguing that many more letters would embellish the political debate in Cameroon. He said the Marafa letters show the dysfunctional nature of the system in place. The Marafa letters gave the ordinary Cameroonian the opportunity to understand the way the state is being run. He wished for more of such letters so that there should be greater transparency in the management of public affairs. He holds that there is practically no reason why the regime in place should lock up somebody and stop him again from expressing his views. He observed that in other countries, such revelations should have led to more concrete action in relation to the management of public funds.

Questioned to react to Marafa’s popularity, he said he could not react given that Cameroon does not opinion poll institutes but that judging from the manner in which the civil society and other people attend the court sessions, it means that Cameroonians are really interested in what goes in their country.

Asked about the position of the NDI on the ongoing Operation Epervier, Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh said NDI does not take position on such issues but that as an institute that promotes democracy and freedom of expression, the institute notes that embezzlement and corruption was an obstacle to development and progress.

Asked about the evolution of democracy in Cameroon, he said Freedom House in its annual reports always classifies Cameroon among the countries with poor human rights records. He said even the Mo Ibrahim Foundation in its governance index comes home with the same conclusion. He appreciated the fact that people like Prof. Maurice Kamto is getting into politics after serving in government for seven long years. He demonstrated his respect for Maurice Kamto saying that he knew him as far back as the university years and that if today he is joining forces with other progressists to change the Cameroon situation, it would be a welcome idea.