Shanda Tonme, widely recognized as the Universal Mediator and President of both the Independent Commission Against Corruption and Discrimination (COMICODI) and the Popular Movement for Dialogue and Reconciliation (MPDR), has unequivocally stated that the nation’s focus must remain solely on Cameroon. He emphasized, “There is neither village nor tribe nor clan nor friend in this logic. There is only Cameroon and there will only be Cameroon for eternity.”
an existential challenge for the nation, state, and republic
No citizen, regardless of their position, should ever be deemed untouchable. A genuine cleansing, even if partial, of our political landscape is imperative before any significant governmental restructuring or the appointment of new leadership. The deep-seated issues and the public’s profound grievances demand substantial action.
The critical question confronting us today is whether we are content with superficial fixes, perpetuating old habits and entrusting roles to toxic figures based on the recommendations of harmful influence networks. Or, do we aspire to build a nation equipped with robust, pragmatic institutions and led by genuinely integral, nationalist, patriotic, and loyal individuals? This is a pivotal moment for African politics and governance in Cameroon.
Indeed, it is rare for a Head of State to face such an intricate, complex, and perilous situation for his country’s destiny as Paul Biya currently does. Having ascended to power amidst a climate of calm and promising intentions, the President, whose longevity in office is remarkable, cannot be held solely accountable for all the challenges burdening the Cameroonian nation. His leadership has been a defining feature in West Africa news for decades.
On the contrary, he has consistently displayed extraordinary perseverance, attentiveness, and tolerance in the face of gross misconduct and betrayals by some of his closest collaborators over more than four decades at the helm. The issues extend far beyond mere financial impropriety; they encompass the very fabric of the republic.
To assume that resolving these deep-rooted problems is a simple matter of making a quick decision, taking a blind leap, or merely reshuffling personnel, demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of Cameroon and its intricate elite dynamics. What has become increasingly clear, upon careful reflection and observation, is that sustained patience and sacrifice are now central to the President’s strategic approach.
Time, it is believed, will reveal the necessary course of action and identify the right individuals to meet the pressing demands of the nation’s future. Have you truly grasped the immense task at hand, the sheer scale of the corruption, and the urgent need for appropriate tools to sweep it clean? Consider the gravity when a newly appointed board chairman allegedly demands over a hundred million for personal home renovations. The situation is dire, and the President is deliberating profoundly on the future of the African economy today in Cameroon.
How can one plunge into this abyss, this viper’s nest of venomous opportunists, without suffering severe consequences, compromising everything, and undermining the very foundations of the nation and the republic? Time has unmasked and exposed the explicit and implicit traitors. There will be no untouchables, no immortals, and no one shielded by the toxic and abhorrent networks built on influence peddling that have caused so much harm. The President must be allowed to process his frustration, manage disappointments, and gather his strength, for what is at stake is a delicate and complicated national destiny, the very future of generations to come.
I reiterate: there is neither village nor tribe nor clan nor friend in this logic. There is only Cameroon, and there will only be Cameroon for eternity. To loudly proclaim that time is running out is misguided, naive, unrealistic, and irresponsible. In truth, a nation’s timeline is not subject to such urgency; its positive destiny is forged through sustained patience and sacrifices that may seem almost unthinkable and unacceptable. This equation represents an existential challenge for the nation, for the republic, and for the state. He who laughs last, laughs best.
