Town Crier No 320

Country people,

I salute you all with special regards for all those who are rightly or wrongly concerned with the welfare of our beloved country, especially its head, Popoul. You all know that when the head is not in order, the rest of the body is chaotic. Therefore, I am worried that as I am addressing you Popoul is not back. And he left Yaounde two weeks ago for a ‘brief’ private visit. So brief was the visit? Papers said he would be coming back with Mama Chantoux BBC says she went to Britain. We have never heard about Popoul visiting Britain. So did Popoul go to Britain? I am yet to think so. But that is not even what interests me. What is fascinating to me is the fact that Yang has taken advantage to act like the country’s number one man and his wife Linda as the number two. But what puzzles me is the fact that when the PM was going for the Ayos-Bonis road inaugural, madam Linda took the back seat unlike what happened  when they went to inaugurate the Muea Kumba road when she sat besides him. Talking about the Ayos Bonis road; we want our roads tarred, but the tarring should not last for a whole generation. Why should it take 9 years to tar 191 km of raod? If this is how long it takes to tar a road, is it really worthwhile? I am even talking like this, what about the Bamenda ring road/ much talk over nothing done. Each project in this country is an opportunity for chopping.

Our preoccupation now is however, not roads but rentree scolaire. I am sure most of you have heard that 800 primary schools have been closed in Cameroon, 300 of them in North West? That only makes a bad situation more mercy because teachers syndicates have vowed that there will be no rentre scholaire next week if government fails to respect its promises. You surely know what promises. Only allowances payment can unite pedagogues. Unfortunately, they are issuing these threats when Ntumkwifon is no more to throw a scare into the regime. I really wonder if anything serious will happen in North West. With Ntumkwifon gone and John Ntarinkon romancing the regime; with poverty and everybody thinking of personal survival, I rally doubt the possibility of success in any industrial action. The silence of ‘S’ over the arrest of its mayor in Batibo shows how far the Ntarinkon wolf has finally become a lamb. The fact that  Ntoh Daniel and Wasum Augustine have not been picked shows how uncomfortable the regime is about arresting its officials. They brought Agogho and Ahmandong Godwill in only to blindfold people. “S’ mayors are the targets. I hear Momo SDO, Moundourou Isaac will be presiding at the elections of the next mayors of Mbengwi, Batibo, Ngie and Deputy mayor of Njikwa. Who therefore succeeds them? That is the question on every lips. But why did people not agitate when these mayors were arrested? This shows they were not really popular. Look at what is happening in the Marafa case. The court premises are always jammed each time Marafa appears in court. Even during Ramadan tracts circulated in mosques at Garoua calling for Marafa’s release. I fear these Moslems with the much talk Boko Haram Moslems us a rule. They don’t talk, they only act I am even surprised that they are even bothering to circulate tracts. Sentiments aside, I think Marafa is a man of charisma. I am not surprised that at MINATD many have weighed Marafa and Rene Sadi and found the latter wanting. Many eyebrows have been raised about Rene Sadi succeeding Popoul. While his supporters have taken up his cause for him Yves Michel Fotso on behalf of whom no agitation is taking place has chosen to take his own destiny into his hands. He has sued Popoul in a US court. But to me that is a desperate move. Do you know the verdict of the Albatross trail will be unleashed in mid September? You and I can predict the outcome. In fact what is happening at the Mfoundi high court is more drama. The judgment of ‘guilty’ has since been passed. There is one other thing I am almost certain about: Inoni Ephrarim who has not been vocal like Marafa and Fotso will be released in order to placate South Westerners before the reunification golden jubilee celebration in Buea. The mention of Buea reminds me about the corrupt former vice chancellor, Vincent Titanji. I hear that although he has finally left the university, it is not over for him there. Epervier is already hovering over him in connection with the funds for the university games in UB were managed when he will be twisting and struggling in the claws of the sparrow haw, I will see why his majesty of Bali will blame your town crier again.

Still talking about Buea, Mayor Mbella Mok has transformed. The is behaving like Tsimi Evouna demolishing houses. He did so at Great Soppo and transferred the market to molyko. As if to placate God for the act, he organized prayers on new market site. Last Saturday the market was full as if it were an old one. Of course, you know why he want Buea to look like a modern town- Popoul’s visit. Meanwhile as Popoul is relaxing abroad, John Ntarinko has former enemy is consolidating his position. He will soon be life “S” chairman. He stood unchallenged at lat NEC primaries as he will surely do at ‘S’ convention next October. The party text permits every militant to contest for every post of his choice. But if anyone merely contemplates it he is John Ntarinkon’s life time enemy. Examples abound: Ben Muna, Chretienne Tabetsing, Noucti, Hon Paulinus Jua, Hon Fobi, Djamen Celestine. And because of this culture of scaring away challengers, most of our leaders create a vacuum when they die. Look at Popoul. We hear he has been training Rene Sadi to succeed him. But it clear Rene Sadi is the wrong choice. Marafa would have been the correct substitute. Our Ntumkwifon Oh what a baobab that has fallen, allowed room for people to challenge him and taught by example. Unfortunately, he has left very big vacuum. Tassang Wilfred, communication secretary for CATTU is very brilliant and courageous but seems not interested into stepping in Ntumkwifon’s shoes. Neither can Epie, Ntumkwifon’s vice, as nothing significant has been heard about him in terms of trade unionism. We are talking at the level of CATTU. Madam Irene Gwanyama hs some of Ntumkwifon’s qualities but little has been heard of her lately.

We should not also forget that Ntumkwifon was a civil society leader. Who succeeds him in that? Ntumkwifon what a great human being. I wonder what his funeral will look like. And will he be buried as a Christian  or traditionalist? Beside the Ntumkwifon title given him in Mbuh village, he has the title of Moh from Baba I. Ntumkwifon was CMF member in Ntamulung. I am sure the likes of Abakar Ahamat, old principals like Ndoping, CAMCCUL opponents are rejoicing. I forgot about the likes of Njinjoh Paul and Valy, his vice at TAC. The tentative date for his funeral is September 7. Simamu Clement is the chairman of the organizing committee created to give him the burial and funeral such a great man deserves. I hear John Ntarinkon visited him when he was ill. I praise John Ntarinkon for that. You know he nailed Nkwenti at AZUCCUL general assembly. He still welcomes those whom he disagrees with although he never forgives them. A G7 meeting held at his Ntarinkon residence last Friday. I knew not all would attend. For instance, Ni Ben was absent. Ni Ben and Kah Walla surely still have bitter memories of Ntarinkon. The meeting should have held on neutral grounds. But why all these alliances that never hold water. I have in mind that with Ndam Njoya. Ndam Njoya wanted to be the unique candidate knowing he has a following in just 1 out of Cameroon’s 56 divisions- the Noun. But John Ntarinkon as I said earlier, deserves no pity for always standing alone at elections. We were however consoled by the last SDF elections which saw our Chris Mbunwe emerging as vice north West communication secretary. He never bothered to deliver a flowery speech. But he defeated two opponents who had been in the party long before him. Let’s all pray for him. It is my sincere prayer that he kicks out that crafty Mangoh from Nkambe council. It is high time some of our colleagues become mayors and MPs. I hope Chris does not forget us when he gets into his political kingdom. I am sure some of you remember what late Kwame Nkrumah said “seek ye first the political kingdom and everything else would follow”.

Farewell from glory Rev Emmanuel Anyambod, the PCC moderator that never was. Anyambod was booted out of his very lucrative post of Rector of the protestant university of central Africa last Friday. He will surely be jobless now since postings have since been done in the PCC. Rev Anyambod is fortunate that he has accumulated a lot of wealth from his lucrative post. He is therefore quite unlike the victims of the Lake Nyos Disaster who have been in the cold for 26 yaers. But do you know what? Rene Sadi says 24 billion FCFA have been earmarked to rehabilitate them. Isn’t anoter scheme for top regime officals to line their pockets? If only they don’t go there to attempt draining the lake as they have done with the Yaounde municipal lake whereas Vincent Ndumu is planning to create one in Abakwa. I hope the newly created lake will not serve ritual killers and those who are fed up with this sinful world.

Country people, have you ever wondered which is more painful: death by water or by fire. I am saying so because I just mentioned people drowning in municipal lakes and recalling the fire incident in Kenya in which some eight students perished and as a result of which two top fire officials were fired. Country people when I consider what is happening in other African countries I think we are in heaven here. Look at Nigeria. Threat of Boko Haram everywhere. Despite the threats the Ushubu Yoruba festival took place. It is a ceremony to pay homage to the Yoruba god. Two other major festivals were earlier cancelled following threats of Boko Haram. In Sierra Leone, there was an outbreak of cholera. But I am pleased with the level of democracy in some of our fellow African countries. For instance in Senegal where France is backing Senegal to create a special court to try Hisene Habre, former Chadian leader. President Macky Sall rejected a call for the former Chadian dictator to be extradited to stand trial in his country.

I admire Egyptians for not hesitating to protest against any act of injustice by their democratically elected president Mohammed Murshi. The level of accountability in Liberia is thanks to the fact that the president was also democratically elected. That is why I learnt with joy that president Eileen Johnson Sirleaf sacked her son from a top post for refusing to declare his assets. How I wish popoul could implement article 66 on declaration of assets in our constitution. Many western nations need to learn from Africa and stop calling us the third world. Look at Greece. We can’t describe Greece as a first world country when she had to be bailed out just as a third world country. Greek prime minister Anthony Samarach jumped for joy when German chancellor Angela Merkel; assured him she would fight so his country should remain in the eurozone. The Greek PM said he was not asking for more funding but for time.

Country people, if you have never though about a third world war or the end of the world, start thinking of one. Israel is threatening to attack Iran’s nuclear installations in November. Mitt Romney, republican presidential candidate promised to back Israel. Other Arab countries won’t fold their arms and watch. Russia and China will join. Nd nuclear weapons will be used. Benjamin Netanyahu blame Iran for going on with the program. Country people, let me ask you this simple question; what should be done to somebody who kills another? For me, it is an eye for an eye. Let that person be killed. This is why I am disappointed with Norway for giving Andeth Brevitch, 33 year old right extremist only 21years in prison after he killed 77 people. I am rather of the same opinion held by Gambia’s president Yaya Jahmet all 44 prisoner his country has on death roll should be executed. Benin’s president sent his foreign minister to plead with his Gambian counterpart, but president Jahmeh said no way. Anyone who killed must also die. I agree with him because a man who has committed a murder before can do so again. Look at the Yankee gunman who shot and killed 5 people near the empire state building. Tomorrow you will hear that a yankee court has given him about 10 years in prison. You know their prisons are more comfortable than some of our living houses. Why won’t somebody shoot and kill as many people who have offended or never offended him as possible? Again you may hear human rights groups saying supporters of ex-Libyan president Mouammar Gaddafi from whom a hundred tanks were seized should be spared. These are terrorists who have claimed responsibility for several bombblasts inTripoli which killed many people. What oyibos are willing to kill people for is rather something we don’t find wrong. I am talking about Julian Asange, the wikileaks genius. This is a man who gave scoops to the press about secret dealings by dubious politicians. In Cameroon wikileaks revealed secret malicious statements from Amadou Ali that no Anglophone or Bami will ever rule Cameroon. The Yankees have prescribed a death sentence for him. Britain wanted to extradite him to Norway to be tried for charged, possibly trumped up, about sexual harassment. You may thing he thinks he actually raped a kofngom whereas the crime they may only be that he looked at a kofnogm with eyes of desire. I am happy the 34 member organization of American states are backing Equador.

Poor Jacob Zuma. He is facing his first major security challenge after 34 platinum mine workers at marakana were shot by the police. The nine workers had hacked two policemen to death. The police said they were acting in self defence, and have been supported by their hierarchy. Fortunately, for president Zuma 23% of the miners have resumed work. The ousted ANC youth president who stole the show by giving one million rand to the striking miners, has called on president Zuma to resign. My sympathty to the families of the bereaved. I pity too the fish killed in the Sri Lanka leak of petrol from a ship carrying 600 tones of oil. Good new for Eto’s’s supporters. He has been called back to the national team as Cameroon prepares to play cape verte in the 2013 Can qualifier. If I were he I would snub Denis Lavagneth the coach. Afterall, what does Eto’o lack? He even needs more time to concentrate on his mobile phone company network Set Mobile and make it effective. I see the van advertising it almost daily here in Abakwa. I will soon get my own sim card. The number begins with 92, very much like Orange. Good news too for supporters of Song who recently signed a contract worth 13 billion with Barca of Spain, Eto’o’s former team. Bye, see you next week.