In the wake of the visit of Ni John Fru Ndi, National Chairman of Cameroon's Leading Opposition Party the Social Democratic Front SDF to the Southwest Region, tongues have wagged over the warm reception that was given to the SDF Party Boss by HRH John Manga Williams, Paramount Ruler Elect of the Chiefdom of "Victoria" now called Limbe.
During this visit, Chief John Manga Williams in a gesture that falls in line with the catchy phrase "Limbe, a town of friendship" that welcomes you as you enter the city handed a symbolic "key" as gift to Fru Ndi. The key among many other things meant that the visitor was always welcome to Limbe. The doors of the Kingdom were by this gesture open to Fru Ndi. This, taken for what it truly meant was a sign of respect and acknowledgement of what Fru Ndi had contributed to the democratic process in Cameroon as well as a recognition of the values he stood for.
With the raging Anglophone Crisis that is practically burning the two English Speaking Regions, the visitor had taken out time as a patriotic and National figure, to visit SONARA and sympathize with its GM and workers just like the Southwest Chiefs had done some hours earlier undisturbed.
The National Chairman left behind as he quit "the town of friendship", fuming Administrative and Traditional Authorities. What were they fuming about? You would think they were fuming over the present stalemate and lack of meaningful suggestions to solve the problems plaguing the two English Speaking Regions. No! The apparently busy councillors ,mayors and Traditional rulers had time to sit and reprimand a Natural Ruler for choosing to give a key to a Royal guest. They argued over a key and even ordered a Natural Leader to apologise.
-Ignoring the present National shift towards encouraging " Le Vivre Ensemble".
Any Cameroonian who truly loves the country should certainly know that the notion of "vivre ensemble" which means living together is a principle that is presently being encouragement even from the office of the highest authority in the country. How can this inconsistency from apparently intelligent Cameroonians forge a way forward for Cameroon? Who are they struggling to please? If the painstakingly written and signed communiqué is to show the Head of State that they are loyal CPDM lackeys then they missed the point. That "modus operandi" is outdated. President Paul Biya is presently too preoccupied with important issues to notice that drama.
-A complete disrespect for the Kingdom of Victoria.
The most basic knowledge of anthropology shows that Natural leadership has a stronger influence on the people than Administrative Authority albeit the apparently strong administrative authority in Cameroon. It is not unknown to anyone who cares to know that a Natural ruler worth the salt is not ordered around by anyone talk less by somebody who is not of the same ethnic group. Blasphemous! The power of natural leaders should be protected by them working together rather than playing the roles of lackeys to administration. This was seen during the build up to the May 20th celebration. Traditional Leaders must have some degree of self-esteem. Asking your fellow natural ruler to apologise is a demonstration of the fact that you don't even know the worth of the sacred stool on which you sit. You don't know that you represent not only a people, but traditions that have lasted for hundreds of years.
Chasing Shadows and leaving real issues on the sidelines provides no solutions.
The story of the key is like the story of two hunters who argued over the distribution of the parts of an antelope even before the animal was killed. While arguing they failed to notice that another hunter had killed the antelope. They lost everything.
Reacting to the drama that took place after he left Limbe, the Chairman said this was the third time he was receiving such a gift. He said some years back during a visit to the USA two cities presented gifts to him practically making him a citizen of their cities. He said he was bemused when he heard about what was going on in Limbe because of the key that HRH John Manga Williams gave to him. He said he never expected such a thing to happen in his own country.
Chief Henry Fonderson President of Limbe Chiefs Conference has insisted that The Paramount Chief elect was not yet qualified to carry out such a gesture because he had not yet been fully recognized by government authorities.
Meantime Mola Thomas Likiye Otto of the Socia Democratic Front in Limbe has reacted to the squabble over the key in the following manner:
The Chairman was very honored to receive the Keys to the Chiefdom of Limbe from HRH Johny Manga Williams the Paramount Ruler of Limbe. As the Chairman always says he is a “ colanut eater" for those who don’t know colanut eaters are respecters of tradition and there was no way he could visit the great city of Limbe without honouring the charismatic traditional ruler of a city that for centuries has practiced and preached the culture of living together.
However if a few municipal councillors and their executives feel they have another set of Keys that they would like to present to the Chairman they are free to make a proposal and we would evaluate it and give them an appropriate response. For now we are very happy with the one we have. In the future we would collect more keys, not from those who signed the hate filled communique but from the great people of Limbe.
Finally we would like to add that it was very embarrassing to see the Calibre of people who put their signatures on that communique but understanding very well the politics of the city and observing the name[s] we did not see, we know very well the devil is in the details. To conclude we encourage all to lead by example and in the true spirit of the city of Limbe to solve problems in-house in a family setting befitting of the great city you all represent."
A school of taught believes that the detractors of HRH John Manga Williams are at work with an intention of presenting him in a negative stance. Those of this line of taught question the reason behind making so much noise over a very little issue. The authorities know that HRH John Elufa Manga Williams is yet to be endorsed by government but is that what makes a true traditional ruler? Is the issue of not being qualified to give a key more important than the beauty behind the gesture. Is it more important than "Le vivre ensemble" propergated by the Biya Regime that encourages a rapprochement between Cameroonians from different parts of the country? Is it a solid enough reason to distract people from major problems plaguing the state? Chasing Shadows.
No comments:
Post a Comment