Cameroon needs a visionary, charismatic leader who can provide a purpose for the Cameroonian youth. Someone bold enough to galvanize young Cameroonians at a grassroots level and lead them to challenge our leaders in local and national elections, in newspapers, on TV, on social networking sites and other online platforms.
Frustrated but Apathetic
Change has been slow to come to Cameroon because, even though we are fed up with the ancien regime and decades of economic decline, we are not daring enough to challenge the status quo because of the climate of fear that hangs over the country.
Two years ago most of us hoped that the Arab Spring would sweep south across the African continent and present a watershed moment for Cameroonians to rise to action and say no to dictatorship. The agitation of the youths was palpable and presented a good occasion for a once-in-a-generation leader to emerge and tap into this anger and frustration and usher in a new dawn. Unfortunately, this window of opportunity passed and now, through devious schemes such as the recently announced senatorial elections, the regime is once again consolidating its grip on power. The flicker of light at the end of the tunnel is dimming fast.
The Rules Have Changed
Cameroonians must take a step back and think about what kind of future we envisage for our country. The world is changing fast and Africa is changing even faster. Analyses conducted by several organisations show that Africa is on the verge of experiencing an economic miracle and countries such as Ghana, Senegal, Nigeria, to name a few, are well positioned to become the greatest beneficiaries. Cameroon must undergo a political, economic and structural transformation in order to share in this growth story.
The old ways of doing business are over. For several decades our leaders barely managed to keep the economy afloat by heavily relying on foreign aid and concessional loans from the World Bank and the African Development Bank to run the state. Well it is now widely accepted, even in donor communities, that although aid still has its place ( for instance, across Africa aid organisations and international NGOs play a vital role in strengthening
civil society), it has ultimatley failed to deliver prosperity and economic growth. It has failed as a poverty reduction mechanism, let alone a model for economic growth. Trade, not aid, is the answer. See China if you are in doubt.
Our Time is Now
This is why, for the interest of democracy and economic development, our leaders, who only know how to do business the old way, must step aside and hand over power to a younger generation. They lack the knowledge and sophistication needed to lead our economy in the 21st century. They don't understand that in this age, it is technological innovation, Facebook, Twitter, globalisation, quality education - that is ideas - not oil, timber, cocoa (commodities and natural resources) that drive the economies of nations. We need Lee Kuan Yews, not Robert Mugabes, to lead us.
If we understand what is at stake, if we are ready to do the right thing, if we are fed up and want a better future for our children than the one we had, then we must summon the courage and determination to act today. This is not a call to arms, it is a call to action and everyone has a vital role to play. If we fail to act, our society will slowly but surely continue to decline, our children will miss out on opportunities of the future and Cameroon will be a basket case in Africa. However, if we seize the moment and act now, then it is not too late to implement reforms and prepare Cameroon for what will be a bright and prosperous future.
-Blaise Buma
