elie-smith

Anglo -American and Breton wood institutions activisms in Cameroon ( part 2)

2011-11-01T05:18:00.000-07:00

The absence or out right refusal of major political parties to join the proposed government of “national union” was a quandary to Paul Biya and also to the Breton Wood Institutions. After the 1997 presidential elections, the Bretton Wood institutions and their protégé Paul Biya were in a dilemma. As for the radical opposition political parties, albeit the most representative and which was headed by the SDF, they were alone and unaided by her traditional Anglo-American supporters. For the Americans whose activism in the 90s, helped push and implement real democracy in Cameroon, had their minds elsewhere by 1997. Remember, I had early mentioned how startled I was, when the former US ambassador to Cameroon, Mr Charles H. Twining, told me in an interview that: “democracy in Cameroon, had taken a great leap forward”. The US government never wanted to chaperon the opposition any more, for they had their mind elsewhere. It was at a time, when China was making her presence felt on the African continent, and the Americans had to rethink and retool their strategy, especially that which concerns oil and other strategic minerals. Beside China, the other American competitor in Africa was France.

Even though France has a lot of influence in French-speaking Africa, she can’t compete with the Americans in any part of the continent, even in her former French colonies. The Americans are therefore not impressed about the French. For the French, besides nosing around, they don’t have any clearly define strategy in their former African colonies and former area of influence. However, before the 90s, France had a clear cut strategy in Africa, in particular in her former colonies. But currently, France doesn’t have any clearly defined African strategy. Furthermore, even if they had, they don’t have the economic means, spirit of sacrifice and not to mention the needed military capabilities. Any sustained military campaign that France would want to take, must have the support of the US and that of Great Britain. An example of how feeble the French presently are, in their former zone of influence, which is French-speaking Africa, they were almost thrown out of the exploitation of Chadian oil and also in the construction of the pipeline that passes through Cameroon. As for the US, their main preoccupation in Africa these days, is China and China’s activism in the vital and none vital parts of the continent. It might explain why, in 1997, the American government looked the other and allowed Paul Biya to embezzle the elections again.

For in the calculations of the Americans, with Biya in power, they will be able to develop a new strategic agreement and partnership in the West African sub region, especially within the Gulf of Guinea, which will be beneficial to them. This is so because, Nigeria, which the third largest economy in Africa and second largest in sub Saharan Africa, was entering a democratic phase, which has facilitated the emergence of a new crop of leaders. These new breed of politicians, were not ready to be American puppets as their older peers who were generally corrupt. Nigeria, it is well known to be the largest oil producer on the continent and also an ally of the Americans. But as mentioned earlier, there is a changing dynamics in Nigeria. The West African state was beginning to develop closer economic ties with China, aided by the new democratic dispensation. But it was a developement that was not appreciated in Washington DC. For in spite all the calls for good governance and democracy, Washington prefers governments that puts US interest first than governments that put the interest their local population as the fulcrum of their policy. But in spite all the sweeteners meant to hoodwink the opposition that were proposed by the Anglo-Americans, they could not ignore the deteriorating situation in the country.

Anglo -American and Breton wood institutions activisms in Cameroon

2011-10-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

Souleymane was waiting for another sign and he got it, when he got news that, even though the government had rigged the1997 presidential elections, they were worried. For the fact that, the opposition was challenging the results, might put them in an erroneous position with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. But in other to appease these institutions and also the US and British governments, the government of Cameroon wanted to form a government of “national union”, in which, the opposition, especially the most representative, will be offered ministerial posts. That way, they (the government) thought, they will calm Bretton wood institutions and the Anglo-Americans, who were also agitating against them (government). Souleymane saw all those indices as signs that his time has come. But the Anglo-Americans and the Breton Wood institutions had an ambiguous rapport with the government of Cameroon and also with the opposition, in chief the SDF. They were ready or claimed that, they wanted to help Cameroon on her path to genuine democracy. But they gave conditions that were very difficult for the government to accept.

And as far as the masses that were already on a dire strait were concern, they never wanted to hear the mention of the name: Bretton Wood institutions. For in the the general opinion, they had killer pills or remedies called structural adjustment programmes. These institutions claimed that, their financial aid to any country was conditioned to good governance and the instauration and implementation of multiparty democracy. Perhaps according to them, good governance and multiparty democracy, which were never effective on the ground, were magic wands to stability and riches. The incongruity with Bretton woods institutions are that, they never cared whether their recommendations were put into practice or not. Bretton Wood institutions were the ones who advised the government of Cameroon to create a government of “national union” after the dubious October 1997 presidential elections. For they knew it will placate the masses and above all, remove some steam from the opposition, that was agitating against the re-election of Paul Biya. Bretton woods strategists in Cameroon knew that, the stratagem that they provided to the government of Paul Biya had a powerful PR effect on honest western NGOs fighting against poverty and corruption in Africa.

The Bretton Wood institutions tutored the government of Cameroon on how to hoodwink her own people and Western NGOs. Bretton Wood institutions also provided funding to the same government to equip and train anti-riot police and other specialised militarised groups to fight against protesters. The Breton Wood institutions were helping the government of Cameroon to put into practice the adage which says: “he who is ready or preparing for peace, must also be ready or must be preparing for war”. For they knew that, their proposal for a government of national union which might appease the masses and also help realised their goal of massive privatisation might backfire. Hence they had a large amount of funds for law and order in their financial packages to governments. In fact, the Breton Wood institutions are professional thieves or rogues with frightening immoral hearts. Their strategy after the dubious October 1997 was almost functioning. However their plans ran into problem. The problem that Bretton woods institution had was that, those who accepted to join the doubtful government of “national union”, were the wrong guys or underrepresentative political parties of the opposition.

Cameroon: profile of Soulaymane Mahamat and the Malian witchdoctor ( part 8)

2011-10-28T02:53:00.000-07:00

They did not recruit Soulaymane Mahamat because of the political capital that they were to gain from him. But the truth is that, Soulaymane was recruited more because of the symbol that he stood for or represented and held within the geostrategic plans of the SDF. This is evident in the national metamophoses that the SDF went through, immediately Souleymane openly made up his decision to join the largest intra and extra parliamentary opposition. The SDF escaped the position of a regionalist, secessionist or purely English-speaking Cameroonian party and became a broad base political formation. Regionalist and secessionist political formation is the name tag, that the government had placed on the SDF, in it frantic attempt to turn away many French-speaking Cameroonians from joining it. Like most Cameroonians, Souleymane never knew or expected that, 14 years later, the SDF will still be in the political Sinai desert of Cameroon, in search of an apparently elusive promise land. Life as an opposition leader in Cameroon is difficult and strewn with temptations and humiliations. Souleymane had his fair share of humiliations. Nonetheless he resisted and stood in the shadows of his charismatic boss, John Fru Ndi. While John was hugely charismatic, Souleymane was the opposite and a tad distant.

He survived only by the largesse of his boss and generous members of the SDF. His life in the opposition was different from what he used to enjoy when he was working at SONARA. He had no chauffeur driven car and had no advantages. To be simple and claear, life was too difficult for Souleymane. His children were no longer living with him. His childern were living with his younger brother, because Soulaymane Mahamat could no longer afford anything for them. Concerning Soulaymane’s wife, respect requires that, I don’t mentioned how she became. What I am about to mention is very important. For it may help to understand or show that the rapport between John Fru Ndi and his deputy was a sane one. John Fru Ndi observing with pity how Souleymane was suffering, but resisted to make people know about his travails, he (John Fru Ndi) suggested to the executive organ of his party otherwise known as the National Executive Council (NEC), that, his number two be given a monthly salary. But as a proud man, he refused the assistance. Souleymane rejected the proposition that he become a salaried member of the SDF.

In 1997, at the peak of his difficulties, Souleymane Mahamat, during a trip to Yaoundé, came across a fortune-teller of Malian nationality. The Malian fortune-teller told him that, he had a bright future. But what Souleymane did not know was that, the Malian was more of a speculator than the witchdoctor or fortune-teller that he pretended to be. In spite the fact that the Malian was a fake fortune-teller, he was nevertheless the guru of several members of government. Furthermore, what he always told politicians in Cameroon, were what he knew, they wanted to hear. The Malian fortune-teller knew that most Cameroonian politicians and elites were always in search for ministerial positions. The Malian became famous because he once speculated on one little known politician and he was eventually appointed minister. Since then, he has becomes the one witchdoctor in Yaoundé, that every burgeoning politician runs to. It explained why, when the arch-architect of the plot to divide and destroy the SDF, Dr Takoudjou approached Souleymane to join them as their leader in the 1997 plot, Souleymane saw it also a sign that, the prediction of the Malian witchdoctor, who lives in the cosy Bastos neighbourhood in Yaoundé was correct.

Cameroon:profile of Soulaymane Mahamat and brief Bernard Eding (part 7)

2011-10-27T06:19:00.000-07:00

Souleymane truly liked his job and also knew that, as long as Ahidjo was president of the Republic, he was like the rock of Gibraltar in his post of finance director. Souleymane was the bright promising and constantly rising star of Northern Cameroonians. In 1981, he was sent again to France by the government of Cameroon, for a training course, that was aimed at preparing him to take over the mantle of general manger of SONARA. The post of general manager was held since the inauguration of SONARA on the 16^th of May 1981 by a White French man. The post of director general of SONARA would have been the coronation of the meteoric rise of Souleymane Mahamat, the cow Fulani, from the town of Maroua, located in the far north province. Unfortunately for him, when he returned from training, in France in October 1982, on the 4th of November of the same year, his mentor or protégé, late Ahmadou Ahidjo decided to quit the post of president of the Republic. But it was not entirely bad for Souleymane, for he still retained his initial post of financial director. However, the new president of Cameroon, Paul Biya, decided to appoint late Bernard Eding, who was serving since 1978 as deputy Director General, as the new head of SONARA.

Paul Biya, a Christian from the greater south, wanted to end the project of his predecessor, who wanted to appoint only Muslim of the greater northern region of the country, as head of strategic companies at the detriment of southerners. Bernard Eding the new boss of SONARA was a national or native of Bassaland and a Christian. Late Mr Bernard Eding, who became the Director General of SONARA from 1982 till his death, was born on the 5th of March 1940 in Edea, Sanaga Maritime division of the Littoral province. He was a graduate of the Ecole Nationale des Industries Chimiques (ENSIC) of Nancy and the Ecole Supérieure du Petrole et des Moteurs (ENSPM) of Reuil-Malmaison, located in the Greater Paris region, France. He has worked with the Gabonese National Oil Refining Company SOGARA or Societe Gabonaise de Rafinage from 1967-1970 and with the French state owned oil exploration and exploitation company Elf-Serepca-Cameroon from 1976-1977[1]. But Souleymane Mahamat, who thinks and believes that he, was born to rule and not to be ruled, did not appreciate the appointment of Bernard Eding as the new Director General of SONARA. Hence he decided in1990 or 1991 to join the opposition Social Democratic Front (SDF).

It must be made clear that, Soulaymane Mahamat did not join the SDF because he admired the courage and project or manifesto of the SDF. He joined the SDF because of two things. First he was disappointed that, he was not offered the post of Director General of SONARA and secondly, those who recruited him on behalf of the SDF promised him that, should they win the 1992 presidential elections, he will be given the post of finance minister. Like most Cameroonians in the 90s, Souleymane was convinced that the government of Paul Biya will fall and will be replaced democratically by the SDF. The decision of Souleymane to adhere to the opposition SDF did not go down well with the government. It was considered as a treasonable felony. He was immediately sacked from SONARA. Paradoxically for the government, her decision to dismiss Souleymane from SONARA instead had a boomerang effect. All of a sudden, a man who was known only within government circles and elites of the far north became a national hero. He even stole for while, the position of star political figure of the country that was enjoyed then by John Fru Ndi. Souleymane Mahamat might after reflections, be accused today of opportunism, but the SDF that recruited him was equally opportunistic.

Cameroon: profile of Soulaymane Mahamat and the objective that Ahmadou Ahidjo had for Cameroon (part 6)

2011-10-25T03:22:00.000-07:00

However when news reached late Amadou Ahidjo that, the father of Souleymane was preparing his son for a trip to Saudi Arabia, in order for junior Soulaymane to become an Imam, he (Ahidjo) is claimed to have cried: “what a waste!” He ordered for senior Souleymane to be brought to Yaoundé along with junior Souleymane, immediately they were back from their tour of northern Nigeria. When the Souleymanes came back from their Nigerian trip, they were directly flown to Yaoundé, where they met with the late former head of state. But when Ahidjo proposed to senior Souleymane that, the state wanted to send Souleymane to France for further education instead of Saudi Arabia, he (senior Soulaymane) refused. But when Ahidjo persuaded him in Fulani language that, his was to study first to Yaoundé and later on to France, where he will be groomed or trained and upon completion, he will come back to Cameroon to rule over the Christians, senior Soulaymane accepted Ahidjo’s offer. But senior Souleymane still wanted an imam in his family, for it was a hallmark of a noble family to have an imam in their fold, hence Souleymane’s younger brother was send to Saudi Arabia. The deal proposed by late president Amadou Ahidjo to the father of Souleymane shows how the trajectory of Souleymane Mahamat changed.

He came to Yaoundé and registered at the School administration and Magistracy, better known in it French acronym as ENAM and upon graduation, he continued his education in France. Thereafter, he came back to Cameroon and was given the strategic post of director of finance at the National Oil refining Company in Victoria. Although he was the financial director, he was being groomed to replace the White French man who was the director general. It is an understatement to stress hereon that, Souleymane Mahamat was the eyes and ears of Ahmadou Ahidjo at SONARA. As soon as Souleymane Mahamat began working at SONARA, in Victoria, he abandoned the virtuous religious track in which he was brought up. Others will refer or identify him as a moderate muslem, but for a person groomed within strict Islamic tradition and was programmed to become a Muslim cleric quickly, his transformation was tantamount to blasphemy. But moderate Islam or Muslim is a euphemism used to refer to all those who are not practising the Mohammedan faith as required. I really can’t tell or write the following with authority, but I have heard that, practising Muslims can marry Christians or Jews provided they practice their faith as indicated by their religion. But Souleymane was married to a Roman catholic who was a Roman Catholic only by name.

Furthermore, it appears as though, Islam also prohibits the consumption or abusive consumption of alcohol. But Souleymane who claimed to be a devout Muslim was an inveterate alcoholic. And finally, while Islam condones polygamy but prefers monogamy and faithfulness, Souleymane was married to one wife, but he was a monumental womaniser. However, the fact that Souleymane Mahamat was no longer a practising Muslim, but bagged the enviable secular tag of a moderate, a tag that was nevertheless abhorred by theocracy and theocrats. In spite the excesses of Soulaymane, it was of no concern to Ahmadou Ahidjo and it was of no danger to his post provided he (Souleymane) drew the necessary line between his job and his private life. Souleymane truly liked his job and also knew that, as long as Ahidjo was president of the republic, he was like the rock of Gibraltar in his post of finance director. Souleymane was the bright promising and constantly rising star of Northern Cameroonians. In 1981, he was sent again to France by the government of Cameroon for a training course that was aimed to prepare him to take over the mantle of general manger of SONARA.

Cameroon: profile of Soulaymane Mahamat and the doubtful ancentries of Ahmadou Ahidjo and Paul Biya

2011-10-19T05:05:00.000-07:00

And these children, whose parents were humiliated by the former ruling class, were the ones who took over the mantle of leadership after independence. For they understood modern ere governance and also had western education and this change of status, created conflicts in most countries in Africa, wherein the former ruling class, lost their privileges to people they used to despise or rule. Concerning the ancestry of Ahmadou Ahidjo and other leaders of Cameroon or even the current president Paul Biya, whose ancestry is also put in doubt by the usual people, it has to mentioned that, prior to 1960, when borders where confirmed, there existed mass migration of African people from one part of the continent or region to the other. Furthermore, colonially drawn boundries have never posed any problems to African people. That might explain why, the parents of late president Ahidjo or current President Biya, may have either come from current Nigeria, Mali, Mauritania or Niger as claimed by people who are floating such information. Or in the case of Biya, it is claimed that, he is from Equatorial Guinea.

Such claims are basless and unfounded. For the questions that have to be asked to people floating the idea or information on the origins of people governing Cameroon are these: what is the native tongue of Biya and Ahidjo? Was the area that they are currently located in, configured in the same way before colonialism? Did Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea exist before the advent of colonialsm and the borders that they created? Concerning Ahidjo’s education, I don’t think he (Ahidjo) went to school more than most people of his generation and more so, who had the luck to be educated. While there is a strong controversy about the ancestry of late Ahmadou Ahidjo and also the rank that he may have had within his family and tribe, Souleymane Mahamat never had to confront such problems. He was from a well known Muslim aristocratic family and whose father wanted him to be educated in a western style. For his father foresaw the preponderant part that western education will play in modern French-speaking Cameroon. Hence Souleymane and his brothers and sisters were all educated. With all the divine privileges that Souleymane had, he never experienced difficulties when he was growing up.

He grew up with servants and was groomed by his father to be a leader. Souleymane was lucky that his father, although a noble and rich minority, who are proud of their glorious past and thus despises Europeans, he nevertheless made an effort to send his children amongst which was Souleymane, to attend the school of White men, this in order to achieve western education. It was not the case with other rich nobles of the greater north, which preferred sending their children to Koranic schools, where they are thought elementary Arabic. When Souleymane went to school, it turns out that, he was very brilliant and upon graduation from primary and secondary schools, he was trilingual. He spoke fluent French, English and Arabic. Not forgetting that, he also spoke Fulani and Hausa languages. His father sensing that his son was brilliant, he developed reflects that was thought to have left him long ago. He decided that such a brilliant son would not serve the government of Cameroon but God. Senior Soulaymane wanted Junior Souleymane to become an imam. But it was not easy for a child who had had the experience of Souleymane to be attracted to a theocratic service as his father wanted.

Conversation with the witchdoctor of Ndom

2010-05-13T06:24:00.000-07:00

As the forces of good and evil were fighting in his conscience (witchdoctor of Ndom), the image of the White French expatriate, who took away his beautiful wife resurfaced. He immediately told the headmaster: “that is how those well educated people: black or white, especially, those who have political or any power, do act. Look here! I had a similar problem not long ago. It was with a French White man, who came here to teach us agriculture, as though, since our ancestors came from Israel, we had been waiting for a white Frenchman to come and teach us how to grow crops to feed ourselves. I don’t believe in the bible, but, the attitude of that, Whiteman, was akin to those of black people who like him, and had a little bit of influence or power. It was that White man’s attitude that made me to believe that, the bible was the inspiration of God. Well, I prefer only one verse in the bible. It is that of Acts 10:35, which say: “God is not partial.” “Well, I don’t want to call God’s name, for it might spoil my business. Coming back to the White French big man, he came here, as he claimed, to teach us agriculture as if we do not know anything. But that wasn’t my problem because since the French gave political power to the Muslims in French-speaking Cameroon in 1960 and the Muslim decided to give that power to our former slaves, who are the Betis, I must remind you that, I don’t care about whatever that happens or takes place in this country. My only problem is that, no member of the illegal regime in this country should touch a log of my hair or that of any member of my family”. The witchdoctor of Ndom continued: “But the arrogant White man did exactly what I and my ancestors won’t tolerate. For instead of focusing on teaching his agricultural lessons, he abandoned his agriculture and began organising sporting activities here and there”. He quipped: “Was that his mission here?” He responded to his question himself: “I don’t think so.” And he continued: “Don’t we have sports professionals here?”

Ndom, Cameroons: the dilemma of a Bassa witchdoctor

2010-04-28T06:45:00.000-07:00

“For what I am going to do will return and affect you, if ever, it turns out that, you were just speculating or was just out right lying. I will therefore advice you to go back and examine the facts and also talk things out with your wife. She is your wife and you can win her back”. The witchdoctor told the headmaster and concluded his presentation. But it seems the last speech or explanations from the witchdoctor, ignited inspiration within the headmaster and he replied to the witchdoctor: “my wife doesn’t even allow me talk to her any more, since she started going out with Nguelemedouga. And now, you are asking me to go and talk with her”. “How will I start?” The primary school headmaster asked the witchdoctor. “Whom are you really talking about?” The witchdoctor asked and he continued: “Is it the Sub District Officer of Nyanon that, I know and who is causing you all this anguish and pains?” The witchdoctor asked the headmaster in utter surprised. For the witchdoctor knew Nguelemedouga very well, because, he had for a short while officiated as one of the Nguelemedouga’s many witchdoctors.

Nguelemedouga has the habit of consulting many witchdoctors and spirit mediums in his search of mystical powers. But he never knew and could never I margined that Nguelemedouga who seem to love and admired his wife and do pummelled him throughout his many passages for demonic spiritual powers, with stories of his family and God, would get into an extra marital affair that may cause his life. Nguelemedouga besides his obsession for magical powers, seem an ideal husband. He always spoke about his wife and his children in particular about Risdoh. The witchdoctor of Ndom, whose father was also a witchdoctor, claimed to have prepared the amulets that helped Um Nyobe Ruben, the political and military leader of the Union of the People of Cameroon or UPC to elude the French and late President Ahamadou Ahidjo’s military campaigns, until he was betrayed by late Bishop Mongo, was now in a dilemma. What will he do to Nguelemedouga who was his former client, should the headmaster of Nyanon, his current client, asks him to kill him (Nguelemedouga)?

How an adulterous proud French expatriate ended his life in Cameroon

2010-04-25T08:47:00.000-07:00

But the proud French expatriate, who had been forewarned by the witch doctor to steer-clear from his wife, did not enjoy his conquest. For the day that, he took his car, in which, there was the wife of the witch doctor, it was the beginning of his brutal end. He took the wife of the witch doctor for a romantic weekend trip to the coastal holyday resort town of Kribi, and on the way, the French expatriate had a fatal accident along the Edea– Kribi section of the highway. But mysteriously, the wife of the witch doctor, who was the mistress of the White French expatriate, was extracted from the mangled car alive. The accident was the handy work of the witch doctor. And this happened because, in Bassaland, you can do anything or everything, but you don’t play with a married woman. When the headmaster of the primary school of Nyanon explained his ordeal to the witch doctor, they all understood the pains, the frustration and above all, the humiliations that happened to any man whose wife had left him for another man or a man who had a wife who was boldly cheating on him with another man. But the witch doctor asked the headmaster: “are you sure that what you are telling me is not just the fruit of jealousy or speculations, that is caused by jealousy?” “Yes, I am sure of what I am telling you”. The headmaster replied. “And what do you want me to do, to the man who is causing you pains?” The witch doctor asked. And he continued: “I am asking you this question because, I am working with the devil. And all what I do ask him; positive of negative, he does deliver. He is not like the God of Christians”. The witch doctor added. The headmaster was startled and was out of words. He paused and lifted his head up vaguely, as though he wanted to count the number of stars in the sky. As the headmaster was still thinking what to offer the witch doctor as response, the witch doctor added: “the devil is like God, he doesn’t entertain lie telling”.

The revenge of the Primary school head master

2010-04-22T15:13:00.000-07:00

What happened to Nguelemedouga at the party organised by Cappolytree to celebrate his parliamentary victory was a warning that he ignored. He kept going out with the wife of the headmaster of the primary school of Nyanon. The cheated headmaster could not do anything to stop his wife from continuing her amorous affair with Nguelemedouga. And the headmaster decided that, the ultimate solution to end the humiliation was to kill Nguelemedouga, the insolent representative of the state. But how will the headmaster carry out his revenge? Will he use his machete or will he use his hunting gun to gun down Nguelemedouga in broad daylight like a game? Or will he employ mystical means? If yes, will it work on Nguelemedouga, a man who had many amulets and who also consulted regularly a number of juju priests and witch doctors? The headmaster had made up his mind and he decided to go and consult a witch doctor who was residing at Ndom. He and the witch doctor had the same problem. The witch doctor had a very beautiful wife, who was loved and admired by several top ranking civil servants posted to work in Ndom. But his wife left him for white French agricultural technician posted to the Sanaga maritime division and had a stint in Ndom and the only thing he could take away as souvenir was the wife of the witch doctor.

Reactions after Nguelemedouga was poisoned and survived

2010-02-28T22:20:00.000-08:00

Cappolytree was in tears . He told Nguelemedouga: “you know Sir, that, I owe this position of Member of Parliament through you and at such, I can’t be suspected of desiring to harm you. Please accept my apologies. I will find and punish he/she who wanted to harm you and in the process, attempt to spoil my name and that of my family”. Nguelemedouga had an Olympian calm. He replied to Mr Cappolytree: “ he whispered, don’t worry” and then ,he shouted to the crowd: “the party must go on”. Then, the Divisional Officer came close to Nguelemedouga and said: “Congratulations, you are strongman. But remember Mr Nguelemedouga, this is Bassaland”. He went a step away, rotated and came back, tapped Nguelemedouga on his shoulder, and added: “Between us, haven’t you taken the wife of somebody here in Nyanon, who really wants you dead in retaliation?” Nguelemedouga replied: “No! I haven’t taken any man’s wife.” And to that question posed by his immediate boss, he asked: “why should I, when I have my wife and children in Yaoundé?” And the Divisional Officer replied: “it is simply because, your wife is not with you that, you might have been tempted to trek into an area where devils don’t dare”. Mr Winenba knew full well that, Nguelemedouga was lying, for he knew based on his four years experience in Sanaga maritime and eight years in Bassa land in general and added to reports that had reached him, that, what has happened to Nguelemedouga was the fruits of the anger and jealousy from a man, whose wife was cheating on him, and the cheated and anger man was determined to punish the man who was humiliating him.

Nguelemedouga: the magical practiser

2010-02-21T23:34:00.000-08:00

As a magical practiser, he may have sensed that, things were not very clear, but in a demonstration of defiance, he wanted to confront his fate. Perhaps the poisoned was poured into the bottle of wine, that would be served to Nguelemedouga, by a waiter, who was certainly, the friend of the Head master of the primary school of Nyanon, whose wife, Nguelemedouga had an affair with . The second source of the poison might have come from the many enemies that, Nguelemedouga had cultivated. When the glass of wine was handed to Nguelemedouga in the presence of : Cappolytree, who was the new MP for Nyanon, Diamond Winenba, the Divisional Officer of Sanaga Maritime division and other cream de la cream of the division and the Littoral province and some guests from Yaoundé. As soon as the poisoned glass of wine rested within the hand of Nguelemedouga, the glass cracked. It cracked as though the glass had come into contact with metallic object. But the cracked only occurred after Nguelemedouga had lifted his glass for a toast. In the process of lifting his glass, Nguelemedouga mindful of the enemies he had created, recited inwardly some mythical incantations. Those incantations were given to him by a witch doctor, when he was the Sub District Officer of Couseri. The incantation was given to Nguelemedouga by the witch doctor of Couseri, in a bid to protect him from what has just happened to him in Nyanon. As the glass cracked and red liquid spread, everyone in the reception hall was shocked and the music that was playing stopped. Individual and collective suspicions invaded the hall and spoiled the victory party of Mr Cappolytree Logbang MP .

Nguelemedouga: the womaniser did not die, but was poisoned in Nyanon: this is how it happened

2010-02-21T10:08:00.000-08:00

Nguelemedouga is a lucky man. He did not die. And now, the debate on the lips of the villagers of Puma and other passersby was: which of his many amulets saved him? Anyway, in spite the accident and how he puzzlingly escaped from the mangled car, unhurt, Nguelemedouga went ahead and attended the planned meeting. He did it to show how bold he was. He went ahead and attended the meeting called for by Mr Diamond Winenba, the Divisional Officer of the Sanaga Maritime division. The meeting took place in Edea, the Divisional capital of the Sanaga maritime division. And on Sunday, immediately after the meeting, Nguelemedouga travelled to Nyanon in order to attend a victory party organised by Mr Cappolytree, to celebrate his accession to parliament. At that party, Nguelemedouga was given a well prepared glass of wine. Well prepared here is a euphuism to say: the glass of wine given to Nguelemedouga was a poisoned wine. Nguelemedouga as a womaniser, he had many enemies. Everybody wanted to see his back. Nguelemedouga’s problem was that, he did not prefer single girls. His obsession were married women. And in the Bassaland of Cameroon, a man who flirts with married women, is said to be a man, whose days on earth are numbered. The intriguing thing was that, no one knew for sure, who prepared the poison that was poured into the glass of wine given to Nguelemedouga. But the accident in which he escaped unhurt was a forewarning of the calamitous things that laid waiting to happen to him.

Nguelemedouga: a womaniser and a mysterious civil servant

2010-02-20T02:35:00.000-08:00

Nguelemedouga was not aware of all the manoeuvrings that was taking place behind him. He was also not aware of the hopes and fears that, he represented in the psyche of the elite of some regions in Cameroon. But when he finished his meetings at at the ministry of Territorial administration, he went back home to meet his family and delivered the good news to his wife: Noako. He told his wife: “this time around, we shall all go together to my new posting.” Everyone in the family was happy. Risdoh who had not been seeing much of her father was the most happy. And on Thursday of the month of November, Nguelemedouga decided to take his car to drive back to Nyanon. But before he could leave, he made sure he left his family with enough money. He never wanted them to lack anything. Even though Nguelemedouga was a womaniser, he loved his wife and children. He had a lot of respect for his wife, for he recalls that, when he was still a student, it was his wife who took care of him and his children financially. But that Thursday chosen by Nguelemedouga to go back to his work place, was not accepted by Noako, for she never understood why her husband instead of choosing a Friday to leave Yaoundé, wanted to do so on a Thursday.

However, Nguelemedouga convinced her that, it was necessary because, he had to attend the meeting of all sub district, district and sub divisional officers, that would be held on Saturday in Edea, the divisional capital of the Sanaga Maritime division. The meeting will be presided over by the local “president” or Divisional Officer of the Sanaga Maritime, who is also the direct boss of Nguelemedouga. His wife was convinced and lifted her opposition that she had introduced and Nguelemedouga took his car and left Yaoundé for Nyanon. On his way, around Puma. Puma is a small town that has grown along the highway linking Douala, the economic capital of Cameroon to Yaoundé, political capital, Nguelemedouga had an accident. Mysteriously, he came out of the mangled car, unscathed and took a commercial bus to Edea. Some people claim that, he was bewitched by some of his jealous colleagues at the Ministry of Territorial Administration in Yaoundé, while others claimed that, because he was a womaniser, he may have had the accident because, he was distracted by a beautiful woman who was on the sidewalk of the high way.

One of Cameroon's unwritten laws

2010-01-31T04:42:00.001-08:00

Since multiparty democracy was re-introduced in Cameroon in the 90s, the ruling party (CPDM), through vote rigging, were almost always certain to be the dominant party in parliament. They were or are always assured that, they will produce the Prime minister. However, in Cameroon’s hybrid political system, where there is a mixture of presidential and parliamentary systems at play, the leading party in parliament produces the Prime minister, a post that is prestigious but albeit very ceremonial. In Cameroon again, there are some unwritten laws. One of those unwritten laws has it that, the post of speaker of parliament, is drafted to the people of the Greater Northern province, whereas, the post of Prime minister, has to go to the Anglophone region. But it was not certain, which parts or sections of the Anglophone region, the prime minister will come from or has to go to. This uncertainty made that, electoral results in Anglophone Cameroon, became the only adjudicator to determine where the president will make his appointment for the post of Prime minister. On face value, it sounded good. But it was an occasion, during every national election, for massive electoral frauds.

And in order to bend the results to their advantage, elite of Anglophone Cameroon in the divide within the region, formed caucuses, who rigged elections to their advantage. All in a bid to keep the ceremonial post of Prime minister. But in this exercise, those who fared better were Anglophones from the coastal part or South west province. This was so because; the coastal part never had a serious opposition party as was the case in the northern part of the Anglophone region otherwise known as the North West province. As a consequence, the northern region of Anglophone Cameroon could not pretend to have the post of prime minister. Meanwhile in Yaoundé, Paul Biya unlike his predecessor Ahmadou Ahidjo, who preferred or favoured elite of North West for prestigious ceremonial posts in Cameroon, he (Biya) waited for electoral results before deciding from which parts of Anglophone Cameroon he will appoint a prime minister. Ahmadou Ahidjo never wanted to give any prestigious posts to elite of the South west, because one of their elite, precisely late Dr E. M.L Endely was not a supporter of unification with French-speaking Republic of Cameroon in 1961. As far as Biya was concern, he seems not to care about pre 1960 politics of unification. He also never cared how the results of his party were achieved, as long as they were in favour of his party (CPDM). The transfer of Nguelemedouga to Mezam division of the North West province was celebrated by elites of the province because; they thought that, with Nguelemedouga, they will start hoping to come at the forefront of Cameroonian pro-government politics.

Electoral fraud in Cameroon: one of the many reasons

2010-01-09T05:54:00.000-08:00

While elites of the South west province, who are members of the ruling Cameroon’s People Democratic Movement (CPDM), celebrated because Nguelemedouga has been transferred or posted to the North West province, it was not the same joy for elites of the Greater Northern Province. They also, wanted the post of Prime minister, which they lost in 1983. However, the prime ministerial post, was occupied albeit briefly, in the early 90s via one of their elite (Greater North) by name Sardou Hayatou. Elites of the Greater North of Cameroon, were furious and disappointment, even though, they had the influential post of Speaker of Parliament. In the opinion of the elites of the Greater North, although the post of Speaker of National Assembly has real powers; it does not have the appeal and the exposure that the post of Prime minister has or offers. Hence the attractiveness of the post of prime minister and the competitions it has orchestrated amongst elites of various regions of Cameroon. It is this kind of competitions amongst elites, who hold responsibilities within the government and who are most often, de facto militants of the ruling party, which amplifies and encourages electoral malpractices in the country. For every elites wants to garner as many votes as possible and in the process, all stratagems are employed.

One of the many reasons why some elites from various provinces or regions of Cameroon do take active part in electoral fraud is because; your elevation within the system is directly proportional to your loyalty toward the party. But since it is difficult to know ones loyalty, electoral malpractices is considered as one of the many possible gauges. The more votes that elite generates for the party or the president of the Republic from a given region, in any elections, may be considered as a benchmark or confirmation of loyalty. The confirmation of Nguelemedouga’s transfer to the North West province was celebrated by elites of the North West province, who are members of the ruling party. For since multiparty politics was re-introduced in Cameroon in 1990, the North West province has become the epicentre of a radical opposition party called the Social Democratic Front (SDF) led by a charismatic figure called John Fru Ndi, whose detractors claim, he is not well educated and is not sophisticated enough to be president of the Republic. Even though John Fru Ndi is despised by some elites of both Anglophone and Francophone Cameroon, he has steered his party to become the largest and strongest intra and extra parliamentary opposition party in Cameroon. In releasing such a feat, he has denied some elites of the province any prospect of wining a parliamentary seat, thus making their hold or claim to the post of prime ministry baseless. Especially that, Cameroon a country practising a semi-presidential system, it is required that, the head of government or prime minister, must come from the leading party in parliament.

In Yaoundé, hero's welcome for an election fraudstar

2010-01-03T21:49:00.000-08:00

At the Score Supermarket located within the Business District of Yaoundé, Nguelemedouga bought some snacks and other goodies for his daughter, Risdoh. It was a Friday and the month was November and Nguelemedouga was back in Yaoundé. Throughout the weekend, he spent time home with two of his three children along with Noako, their mother. And on Monday morning, he woke up very early and prepared breakfast for his family, after which, he took his bath and later on, drove to the ministry of Territorial Administration, where he received a hero’s welcome. He was congratulated personally by the minister of Territorial Administration for having succeeded in cleverly rigging the presidential and legislative elections in Nyanon. He had a private reunion with the minister of Territorial Administration for about an hour. But no one knows what the spoke about. After their meeting, the minister asked him to go and see the Director of administration at the ministry of Territorial Administration. Why? No one knows. Was it for the payment of his salary arrears or promotion? It has remained a mystery, but a mystery that won’t be long to be unfolded. During his private conversation with his direct boss, who is the Director of administration at ministry of Territorial Administration, he received a phone call from the presidency of the Republic. It was the head of state himself who called to congratulate Nguelemedouga.

He was informed that, he would be promoted to the post of Senior Divisional Officer (SDO) and would also be transferred to a prestigious region. His new posting will be Mezam Division in the north of Anglophone Cameroon otherwise known as the North West province. He was instructed to do what he has done in Nyanon, but in a bigger and in much tougher terrain. But for the time being, Nguelemedouga had to stay in Nyanon as Sub District Officer, until a replacement is sorted out and an administrative decree is issued. The confirmation of the transfer of Nguelemedouga to the North of Anglophone Cameroon and not the south of the same region was feted by some elites turned circumstantial lobbyists of the latter part of Anglophone Cameroon. For they had feared that, Nguelemedouga who is unpredictable, if he was posted to the south of Anglophone Cameroon otherwise known as the South west province, he may decide to stop overtly rigging elections in favour of elites of the region. South West elites, who are supporting the ruling party, knew that, in case the unpredictable Nguelemedouga decides not to rig elections, they were going to lose the ceremonial but prestigious post of Prime minister.

Nguelemedouga and his cravings for black magic

2010-01-02T19:46:00.000-08:00

The promise of Mr Ndoumatona to kill Nguelemedouga was not to be carried out in a classic manner, in which case, it would have made headlines in columns of Newspapers, Radio and Television news around the sub district and the country. He was to employ black magic to mortally reach the top civil servant of the sub district. But what Ndoumatona forgot was that, Nguelemedouga was not one of those civil servants who were educated or stayed in Europe from infancy to adulthood and at such, never knew the practice and operation of black magic. Nguelemedouga was a difficult nut to crack, for his presence in Greater Northern Province of Cameroon, made him to develop a strong craving for black magic. And in order to satisfy his desire, Nguelemedouga had many juju priests working to protected him. Therefore, he had several amulets with him. He transported his amulets as though they were his identification and professional cards.

He had amulets all over his body. He even had one which made him invisible in front of any person who had a gun, sword or any metallic object and who above all, had a malicious intention toward him. Nguelemedouga was aware that, he was mystically powerful. And at such, he felt that, he could do whatever he wanted. One day, one of his office clerks, discovered with utter disbelief that, Nguelemedouga was going out with the wife of the Head Master of the primary school of Nyanon. The startled clerk immediately warned Nguelemedouga to steer clear and added that: “in Bassaland, you can’t go out with the wife of a man, without paying with your life”. Nguelemedouga laughed and shrugged off his shoulders in scorn. “Bassas enjoy threats. I can assure you that, nothing is going to happen to me today or tomorrow”. Nguelemedouga replied to his shocked and owed clerk. Two days after the October elections, Nguelemedouga went to Yaoundé to see his family and to also receive congratulatory messages from the ministry of Territorial administration and particularly those of the minister and exceptionally that of the head of state. And as usual, whenever Nguelemedouga is going back home, he buys lots of presence for his children and his wife Noako. He always made it a point of duty that, whenever he travelled back to Yaoundé, to visit his family or report at the ministry of territorial administration, he stopped at a supermarket located in the Business District of Yaoundé, called Score supermarket.

Nguelemedouga was too brilliant and unpredictable

2008-07-22T06:31:00.000-07:00

Within the presidency of the Republic, some staff belonging to the greater Northern Province wanted Nguelemedouga to be posted to the coastal part of the Anglophone region, otherwise known as the South west province, while staff of North West extraction working at the same presidency, wanted Nguelemedouga to be transferred to their province, whereas those of the South west province, who were manning Prime ministry, a ceremonial but prestigious post, that was converted by people of the greater North and North west provinces, wanted Nguelemedouga to be promoted, but that, he should remain in the Sanaga Maritime division. Political elites of the South west province working at the presidency of the Republic never wanted Nguelemedouga to be posted to the North West or South West provinces. Why? Simply because, if he were transferred to the former, he might manoeuvre and make the province come under the influence of the ruling party and the South west province, will loose post of prime minister. They also never wanted him in their province because, since Nguelemedouga was a follower of political balancing act, he might allow some host elections to be organised and in that case, the opposition SDF might emerge as the official second strongest party in the province. Besides top civil servants of North West extraction who wanted Nguelemedouga to be posted to their province in order for him to repeat his electoral cheating feat, a prospect that will make them gain some ruling party MPs in a province that was dominated by the opposition SDF, no other groups of elites, representing the 10 province of Cameroon, working at the presidency of the Republic wanted Nguelemedouga in their region.

Nguelemedouga was too brilliant and unpredictable, and had caught and won the esteem of the head of state. He was no longer the darling of the ruling party cadres, he was now an enemy and his enemies prayed that, he should commit an error. And it was not long for the prayers of the enemies of Nguelemedouga to materialise and make them celebrate. For brilliant Nguelemedouga had a short fall, it was his insatiable love for women. Just as he dramatically fell in love Couseri with Fatima and accepted to make the region to become a sharia-land, all in a bid to save his life, in Nyanon, when he was on the high way to get what he was denied by administrators of his school because of a girl, he has again fallen in love. This time around, it was with the wife of the head master of the primary school that, he oversaw the construction. Nguelemedouga was an ambulating dead man and since a dead person is never afraid of his grave, he rode straight into it. In a small village such as Nyanon, news move around with the speed of light. When the Mr Ndoumatona, the primary school head master of Government Primary School Nyanon learnt that, his wife was flirting around with Nguelemedouga, he swore all the gods on earth that, he will see the back of the insolent and indolent sub district officer. He said: Nguelemedouga was Goliath and he was David. Mr Ndoumatona was so crossed that, he started walking and talking alone as though he was mad.

Nyanon and her illiterate voters

2008-07-03T02:44:00.000-07:00

Cappolytree was furious with Nguelemedouga’s method, but he choose not to complains, because in spite the fact that, he had given the sub district officer CFA Franc 2 million, he had no power over him and Nguelemedouga was still a threat to his ambitions. Nyanon sub district is part of the Ndom sub division in the Sanaga Maritime division of the Littoral province in French-speaking Cameroon. The Sanaga Maritime division is part of greater Bassaland and Bassaland, had one of the highest percentages of educated people in French-speaking Cameroon. The only other part of French-speaking Cameroon with high number of educated people was the Betiland. But Nyanon was different, she was a locality most affected by rural exodus and had large number of under age children who were not qualified to vote. Nyanon also had large number old men and women, who could not read or write and spoke only the Bassa language. This therefore made elections in Nyanon sub district, whose headquarters bore the same name, peculiar. Voting Nyanon like in other rural parts of the country, with the same problems was complicated. Hence and Nyanon and other rural parts of the country are authorised to carry out in two or three methods of voting. Those who could read had to cast their ballots using the standard secret voting system. While those who were sick or could not read, gave an official order to some one, in his or her family, who was a major, to go and vote on his/her behalf.

The problem with this second system was that, it was difficult to know whether the person voting on behalf of the one who could not, truly respected the wishes of the one he/she was representing. Voting by proxy was therefore a passport for vote rigging. Nguelemedouga sensing that, the second method could open the floodgate of challenges of the official results, decide that, those who could not read or write, would vote in selected classrooms of the new primary and secondary schools, which were opened immediately after he was installed as the administrator of the new sub district. Representatives of the different political parties, taking part in the elections had to present themselves or stand in front of selected classes. The sub district officer, will call the names of parties they represented. And will shout: all those who want to vote for this party should indicate by rising up their right hands. He will count the hands raised and note down the number of raised hands, for each party and ask his assistant to write it on the blackboard, using a chalk. This procedure was done in the presence of all political parties. When the atypical voting of the illiterate voters was completed, Nguelemedouga left to his office with the official result, but changed them and waited for the votes cast in the standard secret ballots to be announced.

When the results of the elections were announced, it was discovered that, the representative of the UPC was not really leading Cappolytree with a wide margin and there was no doubt that, the combined votes of the illiterates and the standard votes, will be in favour of Cappolytree. Why? Simply because, Nguelemedouga knew that, those who voted in the open classrooms never really cared to contest their votes or do forget fast. In Nyanon, Nguelemedouga reinvented and perfected electoral cheating; taking it to a level that made him to become the darling of the government. Cappolyree’s victory was not only surprising to Cappolytree himself, but to the entire members of the ruling party. It was the first time that, the ruling party’s victory in an elections was accepted in Bassaland without any challenges from the opposition. But this happened because of the insidious smear campaigns carried out by Nguelemedouga against Malate, the candidate of one of the three factions of the UPC in Nyanon. The news of the way elections were organised in Nyanon reach Yaoundé and Nguelemedouga was personally short-listed by the head of the state for promotion as divisional officer, thus, ready for transfer to the unpredictable Anglophone region. But it was not clear whether he will be posted to the coastal or hinterland parts of the Anglophone region.

elie-smithsstory: Questions on why I left CRTV

2008-07-03T02:24:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: Questions on why I left CRTV

elie-smithsstory: Way to exile

2008-06-16T04:05:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: Way to exile

elie-smithsstory: Crumbling under heavy pile of pressures

2008-06-13T02:13:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: Crumbling under heavy pile of pressures

elie-smithsstory: My disenchantment with CRTV

2008-06-09T02:15:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: My disenchantment with CRTV

elie-smithsstory: Cameroon: Terra firma of massive corruption

2008-06-07T02:44:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: Cameroon: Terra firma of massive corruption

elie-smithsstory: Dr Daniel Emile Beleck, Mayor of Yabassi

2008-06-06T07:21:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: Dr Daniel Emile Beleck, Mayor of Yabassi

How Nguelemedouga,sowed the seeds of confusion, suspicions and doubts in the minds of voters.

2008-06-01T07:42:00.000-07:00

He first began holding meetings with natives of Nyanon some four mouths before the elections. He also attended all clan meetings and whenever given the opportunity to speak, he first began by saluting the heroism of the UPC and also the contributions of the Bassas in the liberation of French-speaking Cameroon. Then he concluded by saying that, Malate, who was leading one of three factions of the UPC, could be the one who betrayed Um Nyobe Ruben to the French and to Ahmadou Ahidjo. Then he added: “it is even rumoured that, the same Malate was the one who also betrayed Ossende Affana”. Mindful that, Malate was popular, he said: “what he was saying, were mere rumours”. But he almost always concluded his speech by claiming that: “nothing on earth can hide from the sun”. He was cleverly insinuating that, even though he no proves of his accusations on Malate, whom he claims or accused, his accusations, may nonetheless have some elements of truth, which will one day be revealed. And he always concluded his meetings by saying: “it best to vote for a son who might be a thief, than one who killed or helped those who killed your heroes and the heroes of Cameroon”. But the truth is that, Um Nyobe was not betrayed by Malate, but by late Pastor Mongo. But the tactics used by Nguelemedouga operated perfectly, because he never called names, but sowed the seeds of confusion, suspicions and doubts in the minds of voters.

A week to the October polling day, Nguelemedouga who is the sub district officer of Nyanon sub district, acting contrary to what his colleagues do elsewhere in the country, decided to publish a sub district order, which was in conformity with electoral laws. In his sub district order or communiqué, he insisted that, only results from polling stations where representatives of all registered political parties that had contestants in the elections, with their representatives present, during the counting of votes cast, will be valid. His decision of Nguelemedouga was an enigma to members of the ruling party, who wanted the sub district officer to openly rig elections as others in his position do in other parts of the country. Nguelemedouga was a clever and a meticulous administrator, but he was not different from other civil servants when it came to support the system in electoral periods. But he was also a brilliant electoral fraudster. While his colleagues openly erected fake polling stations with pre-stuffed elections boxes that made voting a formality, but also sparked violence from cheated electorates, Nguelemedouga stole election brilliantly to a point that, contesting electoral results that, he supervised was almost impossible.

elie-smithsstory: No particular prejudice

2008-06-01T07:23:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: No particular prejudice

Conversation betweenNguelemedouga & Cappolytree

2008-05-31T06:46:00.000-07:00

Nguelemedouga interjected: “Be very clear Cappolytree. And please I don’t want proverbs in our conversation”. And like a child, Cappolytree, an exuberant burly responded: “all right boss”. And he added: “I am going to use one stone to kill two birds”. Nguelemedouga interrupted him again: “I have warned you not spice our conversation of today with any proverbs”. “Ok!” Cappolytree replied. And he went on: “I am going to be very clear and direct”. “That is good. Now, tell me what and how you want me to help you, as a brother as you are claiming?” Nguelemedouga asked Cappolytree. “Ok!” Cappolytree answered and said: “I want to become the MP of Nyanon and the fact that, you are welcoming every one here with pomp and fanfare and I am considered not worth a fly, makes me to panic. If I am not elected MP, I think I will be on the highway to jail, provided the radar of the fight against corruption locates me.” “It will locate you never mind”. Nguelemedouga told Cappolytree.

And he added: “is it because you want to become an MP by all means that, instead of coming here to let me know you decided to write long petition letters to Yaoundé against me?” Cappolytree could not respond but was instead apologetic. He mumbled: “Forgive me.” “That is not how you have to apologise. Especially that, I am older than you. You also know that, before you could come here and confess today, I knew before you why you would do anything in order to become an MP of this sub district. You also know this district was created for you”. Nguelemedouga told Cappolytree. Cappolytree was impressed at the depth of information that, Nguelemedouga had on him. He sat for a while motionless in the sofa of the office of Nguelemedouga and then rose up and said to the sub district officer: “Thank you very much for having accepted to welcome me. I won’t waste your precious time. Here is something for you and your family.” Cappolytree open his wallet and gave the sub district officer the sum of CFA France 2 million. The sub district officer did not say thank you but said: “now that, you have behaved well, I can assure you today that, you will be in the Glass House at next June’s secession.” Cappolytree left but was not very confident, he still thought of contacting a stand by team of lawyers in case, Nguelemedouga doesn’t honour his promise and thus, he is not elected into parliament and the dragnet of the anticorruption machine catches him. What he did not know was that, Nguelemedouga was a man of word. He made everything possible in order for Cappolytree to be elected into parliament, but in a clean way. He was not a brutal electoral fraud, as most of his colleagues were. His stratagem to enable Cappolytree to win the parliamentary seat of Nyanon was a weapon of massive disinformation.

elie-smithsstory: Facing the reality of CRTV & Cameroon

2008-05-31T06:34:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: Facing the reality of CRTV & Cameroon

The meeting in Nyanon between Nguelemedouga & Cappolytree

2008-05-30T02:37:00.000-07:00

For all the petition letters written against Nguelemedouga, and petition writing being one of the specialities of Cappolytree and also that of people of his region and which could change the career of any civil servants in the area, had little or no effect on Nguelemedouga. Even though disappointed at his low level reception, Cappolytree fought to put on an Olympian calm, and walked into the reception room of the office of the sub district officer, made himself known to the secretary and sat in the sofa like all other people who had an appointment with the representative of the government in the area. After Nguelemedouga had received all those who were there before Cappolytree, the secretary of the boss of the sub district called out the name of Cappolytree and informed him that, it was his turn. He rose up and walked into the office where Nguelemedouga was standing at the centre of his office. They saluted each other, and then Nguelemedouga signalled to Cappolytree to have a seat. They did not exchange pleasantries and Nguelemedouga began attacking Cappolytree verbally: “Do you think that, I will support a fraudster to a point of supporting him to be elected Member of Parliament?” Cappolytree could not even open his mouth to respond. Nguelemedouga bombarded him again: “I have a lot of information concerning you and I have also been informed in detail on all the petitions you and your brothers have written concerning me. But I will want to remind you that, I am a native Beti and I have worked in areas of this country that are more dangerous than this one”. He continued: “I am therefore not one bit impressed by you or your brothers. Whatever I plan to do, I will do it and I am here to serve the state and not the CPDM party or the head of state”. He concluded: “I am not a politician, but a civil servant.”

If Cappolytree doubted that Nguelemedouga despised him, he now had an opportunity to authenticate it. Shocked, as he was the only thing he could do was not to counter attack but try to calm the inflamed sub district officer and also try to create an opportunity for friendship. Cappolytree told Nguelemedouga: “calm down boss”. And he jokingly added: “You that, you Betis were ours slaves in the past before the White men came and remember, once a slave, a slave remains a slave, even long after he may have won his liberty”. Flattered and impressed by the traits of humour of Cappolytree, Nguelemedouga replied: “No, the Bassas are the ones who were the slaves of the Betis and not the contrary.” Then Cappolytree sensing that, he has destabilised and perhaps succeeded to calm the anger that Nguelemedouga had toward him, he said gently: “I am here to see you as a brother and I know you can help me out”. He continued: “Look, I don’t want Yaoundé to be concern about this. It is a matter between you and me. It is matter that concerns the heart and the toe.” Nguelemedouga interjected: “Be very clear Cappolytree. And please I don’t want proverbs in our conversation”. And like a child, Cappolytree, an exuberant burly responded: “all right boss”. And he added: “I am going to use one stone to kill two birds”. Nguelemedouga interrupted him again: I have warned you not spice our conversation of today with any proverbs. “Ok!” Cappolytree replied. And he went on: “I am going to be very clear and direct”. “That is good. Now, tell me what and how you want me to help you, as a brother as you are claiming?”

elie-smithsstory: The strategy of a Chinese thief

2008-05-30T02:24:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: The strategy of a Chinese thief

An excellent administrator called Ngelemedouga

2008-05-29T03:11:00.000-07:00

Nguelemedouga was an excellent administrator, who represented the government fully well wherever he was posted. His obsession wherever he was posted, was to make sure that, all government agencies were present and functioning. He acted in the same way in Couseri and he was now acting in the same manner in Nyanon. One thing he fought hard to accomplish was to make the roads into and out of Nyanon, all season roads. For the roads leading into and out of Nyanon were stony and dusty in the dry season and stony and muddy in the raining seasons. Roads in and out of Nyanon had in both seasons, her share of inconvenience that she caused to her users. And Nguelemedouga wanted to help the people by trying to improve the conditions of those roads. He knew more than most, the importance of good roads in the development of the economy of enclave regions like Nyanon. Besides focusing on security and road issues of the sub district, Nguelemedouga also focused on health and education. Hence he encouraged the government to open primary and secondary schools and also a sub district hospital complete with a pharmacy. He also promoted sports and even sponsored a local football team and hand ball teams that was made up of separately of boys and girls teams, which even won the divisional competition.

Although Nguelemedouga was an excellent administrator, who won over the heart of the head state, hence whatever he asked he was given, he nonetheless had one weak point. It was women. Even though he was married and had three children amongst which was the brilliant Risdoh, Nguelemedouga could not see a woman and control himself and such a mannerism in Bassaland, was tantamount to walking on a tightrope, without protective nets beneath. The day that Nguelemedouga proposed to receive Cappolytree for a meeting in his office came and the businessman, put up an impressive motorcade made up of Japanese made four wheel drive cars and rode into Nyanon. Cappolytree thought that, he will be welcomed by Nguelemedouga at the bridge which served as entrance into Nyanon. The Nyanon bridge links Nyanon sub district to Ngambe sub district, and as the tradition requires, the sub district officer goes to the bridge, to welcome dignitaries coming to visit the locality. Even though Nguelemedouga did not go to welcome Cappolytree, he had made a ritual, since he was appointed sub district officer to go and welcome at the Nyanon Bridge, all dignitaries even leaders of the smallest political party who was in the sub district to stage a political rally. Cappolytree was not welcomed into the sub district at the Nyanon Bridge, as the tradition requires, he was not also welcomed either at the entrance of the office of the sub district building by the sub district officer Mr Nguelemedouga, but by one of his designated clerk. Cappolytree was not happy, for it was another snub from the sub district officer. But he was not surprised and could not do anything.

elie-smithsstory: Talla Todem

2008-05-29T03:09:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: Talla Todem

elie-smithsstory: Jean Pierre Effouba Onana

2008-05-28T13:28:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: Jean Pierre Effouba Onana

elie-smithsstory: Nyoh Moses

2008-05-27T07:04:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: Nyoh Moses

elie-smithsstory: CRTV Douala: a school of life

2008-05-26T01:04:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: CRTV Douala: a school of life

The problems of Cappolytree in Nyanon

2008-05-22T03:51:00.000-07:00

Besides all the problems that Cappolytree had, he also hated and despised the sub district officer Mr Nguelemedouga. But he had no alternative than to visit Nguelemedouga in his office. But Nguelemedouga was a sub district officer who likes administrative procedures to be respected to the letter and for nothing in the world will he default on any of them. He applied the rule on Cappolytree very well. One morning, Cappolytree took his car and decided to visit Nguelemedouga in his office without prior notification, but he was not received. Instead, the sub district officer via his secretary informed Cappolytree that, any high profile visitor who wanted to see him for private or official matters, must inform him in writing, stating clearly, the purpose of his visit and the day, date and month, which the said visitor or visitors wanted to be received by the sub district officer. Cappolytree could not believe what his ears had heard from the secretary of a person in whose waiting hall, he was sitting and expecting to be received. It was the first time that, such as happened to Cappolytree and he was furious. But he could not express his anger openly for fear that, Nguelemedouga presented as a sub district officer with strong links with the head of state could scuttle his chances of being elected into parliament. He left the office of the sub district officer annoyed and also concluded that, his days as an influential but corrupt rich man may be counted.

He started thinking of finding contacts of high profile lawyers, whom he will hire in case, he is arrested and charged for corruption as the government, in a bid to appease the Americans, the British, the Dutch and the Germans was at present doing. But in his car, he concluded that, before contacting any lawyer, what he first had to do was to respect the procedure laid down by Nguelemedouga. And he also said: after all, I have heard rumours and seen list of those susceptible to fall in the net currently cast by the government in her selective fight against corruption, but I have seen mind nor heard my names. Calling a lawyer and telling him or asking him to be on stand by might give an impression that, I am afraid or fearing something. Cappolytree therefore decided when he reached his home, to write a letter to the sub district officer of Nyanon, informing him of the motive of his desired visit and the day and month he would like such to hold. Immediately he had finish writing the letter, he gave it to one of his orderly to take to the officer of the sub district officer.

That same evening, Nguelemedouga saw and read the letter of Cappolytree requesting to be received. He decided to reply. He rejected the date, day and mouth proposed by Cappolytree. But as a seasoned administrator, Nguelemedouga did not forget to mention in his reply letter to Cappolytree, the reason why he could not receive him. His letter went thus: “The reason why I am not going to receive you on the day and month you have chosen is because, I will be presiding over the installation ceremonies of the new National Gendarmerie Brigade and Customs Officers of Nyanon sub district. As you are well aware, in order for our sub district to be fully operational and this, for the well being of the people and in order to consolidate the presence of the government, all institutions needed for such a locality must be introduced and accompanied in their growth. Hope you won’t be disappointed, but will appreciate what I am doing for your locality and I hope you will also take active part in the development of Nyanon”. Nguelemedouga concluded in his letter to Cappolytree.

elie-smithsstory: Smear campaign, gossips and slander

2008-05-22T03:27:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: Smear campaign, gossips and slander

How Cappolytree eluded arrest

2008-05-20T04:57:00.001-07:00

But the prospect of Cappolytree’s arrest changed, when he succeeded to use his connections at the Ministry of Territorial Administration and at the Central Committee of the ruling CPDM party to force the head of state to order the redrawing of the electoral constituencies within the Sanaga Maritime division. Those who agitated for the new electoral constituency re-mapping dangled the prospects that, the three factions of the UPC and the radical opposition SDF were on the high way of claiming a landslide at the upcoming municipal and legislative elections in the division. Upon getting such news about Sanaga maritime division, Paul Biya and the ideologues of the regime panicked at the prospects of the warring three factions of the UPC controlling the Sanaga Maritime division with a possibility of the radical dominant English-speaking SDF wining a seat in the division. For such a design would signalled the enlargement of the influence of the Social Democratic Front, that the government has tried to make it look more like an Anglophone based party, whose only national support were the French-speaking Bamilekes of the West province.

The prospect of the SDF making an in road in the Sanaga maritime reminded the regime of the 90’s when the SDF was controlling the greater western provinces of Cameroon (North West, South, West and Littoral provinces). During that period, they went on to win the presidential elections of 1992. Biya’s regime only survived with the support of France. That was how the idea of creating or elevating Nyanon in a sub district and electoral constituency came up and was retained. It was also an opportunity to compensate Cappolytree for financially supporting the government and in particular, the ruling party during her most difficult times. But Biya had other priority, for the survival of his regime rested more on the shoulders of the Americans, who had decided to make a come back on the continent in a bid to counter the Chinese invasion. But the Americans even though they seem to support Paul Biya, nonetheless asked him to fight corruption even in a cosmetic manner. The Americans seem different from the French. Americans do bite, but do also blow some fresh air at the same time. And because of the demands of the Americans, Paul Biya was ready to sacrifice some worst elements of his herd of corrupt supporters in business as well as in politic milieus. Cappolytree was one of those lambs whose sacrifice will do a lot of good to build a good image to the corrupt regime without putting in danger the system. Cappolyree’s heart was racing like that of a track and field athlete. He was nervous as days rolled by and at the same time, Nguelemedouga was glowing with confidence and setting his mark in the sub district and in the division and littoral province in general.

elie-smithsstory: My passage at Cameroon Radio & Television Corporation (CRTV) part 18

2008-05-20T04:36:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: My passage at Cameroon Radio & Television Corporation (CRTV) part 18

elie-smithsstory: The reason why I was born in Penja, Littoral province of Cameroon

2008-05-18T14:51:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: The reason why I was born in Penja, Littoral province of Cameroon,http://www.thelocal.se/blog/

http://www.thelocal.se/blog/

Paul Biya's reactions

2008-05-14T03:52:00.000-07:00

The reaction of the head of state shocked Mr Ndomba and it added to his anxiety, he was now certain that, his days at the post of secretary general of the ruling party were numbered. He picked up his phone and dialed Cappolytree on his mobile phone and told him: “please be calm. This is because, that Nguelemedouga is very powerful and well connected within the presidency of the Republic”. “What do you mean by that?” Mr Cappolytree angrily replied. But Mr Ndomba added: “Listen, the head of state himself has just ringed me and has warned me. He has asked me to cease filing in any report about Nyanon sub district and Mr Nguelemedouga, in particular, to his office. He is happy with the way Nguelemedouga is working there in Nyanon. Therefore, I do not want to loose my post because of you. I have my children and other family members who are relying on me. You will therefore have to fend for yourself during elections and all we can do, is try to influence the results here in Yaoundé at the ministry of Territorial administration. But you must try to help us. That is, by campaigning scrupulously on the field”. Mr Ndomba dropped his phone. Mr Cappolytree was worried; for he was very corrupt, but a prosperous businessman who very much needed to be elected into parliament. This not because he loved his constituency and wanted to help or contribute to develop her as he claims, but more because, he had borrowed a lot of monies from banks and took part or commandeered other illicit businesses, a parliamentary seat was a bulwark against investigations and assured arrest.

He was not the only top-flight Cameroonian businessman who had skeletons in his cupboard. Most businessmen, especially the new generation rich men & women who spurted-out when Biya came to power in 1982 and who easily mixes politics, tribalism with business were in the same state. They use their political connections to borrow monies from banks, and refused to pay back, thus precipitating most Cameroonian banks and other state owned industries into bankruptcy. The government of Paul Biya has given noble status to immoralities and corruption. But Mr Biya was under immense pressure from the Americans, the British, the Netherlands and the Germans to first corruption or looses their support. And Cappolytree knew that, the only means he could elude jail was to be elected into parliament for five years, a position that will grant him automatic immunity, thus shielding him from any judicial pursuits. Since old habits die hard, he also planned that, he would use the mantle of Member of Parliament (MP), to borrow more monies from the few surviving banks and will not pay back. Cappolytree was a good material for the Maximum security Prison of Kondengui in Yaoundé and his arrest which was being rumored would have made good PR stunt for the regime. This would have been so, because it would have been widely relayed in the Press.

elie-smithsstory: My thorny path to secondary education

2008-05-14T03:51:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: My thorny path to secondary education

elie-smithsstory: I was not a brilliant pupil or student

2008-05-13T05:53:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: I was not a brilliant pupil or student

elie-smithsstory: Misplacement of priorities amongst some Cameroonian parents

2008-05-12T02:46:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: Misplacement of priorities amongst some Cameroonian parents

Cameroon's intelligence service in Nyanon to monitor Nguelemedouga

2008-05-10T03:13:00.000-07:00

They wormed themselves into the population and took part in all funerals, cultural groups and any other organisation that could exist in such as small village, which has been elevated into a sub district and an electoral constituency. Men of the intelligence service of the presidency of the Republic, dispatched by the president wanted to have the smallest amount information about the sub district officer, for they also wanted to satisfy a president who seldom gives them assignments. They were surprised at how fast Nguelemedouga had won the hearts and minds of the citizens of Nyanon. After their two weeks stay in Nyanon, they concluded that, they had gathered enough information and within which, none was negative about the sub district officer. They therefore decided to go back to Yaoundé and gave a succinct report to the president of the Republic. But while they were on the field, the president had also dispatched a rival service, made up of foreigners who were quick to bring back positive reports about Nguelemedouga.

The head of state had no reason to confront both services, for both had almost the same accounts concerning Nguelemedouga. Mr Biya decided four weeks later to ring the secretary general of his ruling CPDM party, this time around, directly at the home of the second. When Mr Ndomba picked up his phone and discovered that, the speaker was the head of state, he panicked, and he almost had a cardiac arrest. For he thought his boss rang him, to inform him that, he will be relieved from his post. But Ndomba was wrong. The head of state simply told him this: “I don’t want to hear any report about Nguelemedouga anymore. If all civil servants dispatched on the field were excellent administrators as Nguelemedouga is, I am certain that, our party the CPDM, would have been sure to win at least, two parliamentary seats in the North West province and in a clean manner”. And he dropped.

elie-smithsstory: Does the bible discourage secular education?

2008-05-10T02:54:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: Does the bible discourage secular education?

elie-smithsstory: Damage that some Jehovah’s Witnesses did to my sister by name Lois

2008-05-09T02:36:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: Damage that some Jehovah’s Witnesses did to my sister by name Lois

Nguelemedouga did not only receive Malate, who was the most popular Bassa man in the sub division after Ruben Um Nyobe.

2008-05-08T05:07:00.000-07:00

Nguelemedouga did not only receive Malate, who was the most popular Bassa man in the sub division after Ruben Um Nyobe. Mr Um Nyobe was one of the leaders of the UPC who was killed by French soldiers. He (Nguelemedouga) gave authorisation to all factions of the UPC to stage pre-campaign rallies in the sub district. Furthermore, when John Fru Ndi, the chairman of the Social Democratic Front (SDF) visited Nyanon to organise a campaign rally for his party, Nguelemedouga gave his service car to the leader of the largest intra and extra parliamentary opposition political formation of the country. The gesture was to enable him visit remote areas of the sub district and the Ndom sub division. To Mr Cappolytree, that act was enough. He began baying for the blood of Nguelemedouga. Because Nyanon was in Bassaland, Cappolytree was not the only one writing petitions for or against Nguelemedouga to the headquarters of the ruling Cameroon’s People Democratic Movement (CPDM), located at the Yaoundé International Conference centre, situated on the summit of hill in the cosy Bastos neighbourhood.

The office of Mr Charles Ndomba, the secretary general of the party was flooded daily with reports coming from Nyanon. Overwhelmed, he (Mr Charles Ndomba) decided to pick up his phone and contacted every one to find a solution for Nyanon, but no one was able to help him. Hence, he tried to contact the head of state directly. Miraculously, the day he rang the office of the president of the republic, Paul Biya was in his office and decided and he also decided to answer the phone. As he picked up the phone, he asked: “what is wrong?” And the secretary general of the ruling party was surprised that his boss was in his office that Friday and even picked up the phone. He responded with his voiced trembling with fear: “Sir, I wanted to plead with you to take a personal look at the problem of Nyanon”. “What is Nyanon?” The Head of state asked. And secretary general responded: “it is the name of a village in the Sanaga Maritime division that has been elevated into a sub district and one of our candidates is running for parliament there”. “And what do you want me to do?” Paul Biya asked. “We wanted to suggest to you to ask the minister of territorial administration to replace Nguelemedouga, the sub district officer of Nyanon. Nguelemedouga is a man who receives everybody and offers authorisation to opposition parties to stage rallies in Nyanon willy-nilly”. Mr Ndomba told the head of state.

“Mr Ndomba, do you really think that winning a parliamentary seat in Nyanon is my cup of tea?” The head of state asked. “Yes sir, yes Excellency”. Ndomba replied. “No! You got all wrong. Please allow that sub district officer to do his job. I don’t want any problem in that part of the country, my preoccupation is the Northwest province and that is where I will be happy to hear and see who will make our party win there. Have I made myself clear?” The head state asked and then dropped his phone. Then he rang the secretary general back and asked him to send him the list of members of the central committee of the CPDM, bade him good day and now dropped the phone. Then the head of state ordered his intelligent service to go to Nyanon and investigate what was going on and to report back to him. Some trusted men of one of the many intelligence services, which looked more like Soviet era ideological watch dogs, swung into action in Nyanon. They wormed themselves into the population and took part in all funerals, cultural groups and any other organisation that could exist in such as small village, which has been elevated into a sub district and an electoral constituency.

elie-smithsstory: Happy in poverty

2008-05-08T03:03:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: Happy in poverty

elie-smithsstory: Why we moved from Njoumbe to Douala

2008-05-07T05:17:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: Why we moved from Njoumbe to Douala

Reasons why was Cappolytree Logbang, the aspiring MP & Mayor of Nyanon was afraid of Nguelemedouga as Sub district officer of Nyanon

2008-05-05T01:57:00.000-07:00

And that little ingenious act from Nguelemedouga endeared him to the hearts of the scanty population who came to watch his installation ceremony. They immediately spread the news after the ceremony. He was adopted not after having been given the warning that made him to take a forceful leave. But he was adopted by the people of Nyanon all the same. And as the 1997 June Municipal and Legislative elections approached, Nguelemedouga began registering the application of all political parties that wanted to register their candidates. And on one occasion, he received in his office Professor Malate, who was the leader of a faction of the UPC party and who was also a national or native of the Sanaga Maritime division. Malate was adored by the people and considered a demigod. He was also touted by his own as one of the most brilliant mathematician on earth. The fact that, Nguelemedouga received Malate in his office was another sign of overture made the people of Nyanon who had an ambiguous approach toward their new administrator, but suddenly developed affection and respect for him. The inhabitants of Nyanon were now happy and showed sympathies toward Nguelemedouga, even though they still had some tinge of reservations. The only man in Nyanon who was not happy one bit, with Nguelemedouga was Mr Cappolytree Logbang, who was the designated candidate of the ruling CPDM party in the sub district. He viewed the cordial reception that, Nguelemedouga granted to Malate as a tacit betrayal.

For he(Mr Cappolytree Logbang) feared that, even though the government created the Nyanon sub district and elevated it into an electoral constituency in order for him to be elected Member of Parliament and mayor, in compensation for sponsoring the ruling party, there was not enough guarantee with Nguelemedouga as sub district officer. Hence, Cappolytree took his pen and wrote a three page petition letter to the Minister of Territorial Administration, who is the direct boss of Nguelemedouga. He copied the petition to Prime minister, the Speaker of National assembly and the presidency of the Republic, with expectation that, it will reach the office of the president of the Republic via the secretariat general. In his petition, Mr Cappolytree wrote that, he wanted Nguelemedouga to be relieved from his new function as sub district officer and listed the reasons why. He insisted that, it was urgent, and in the words of Cappolytree, Nguelemedouga had gone mad. How? Simply because, the sub district officer had received Malate in his office and also granted authorisation to all factions of the opposition Union of the Population of Cameroon (UPC) to host rallies in Nyanon. He added that, Malate who was the Secretary General of one of the three factions of the UPC could never have enjoyed such royal reception in Nyanon under an Anglophone sub district officer. Even though, Anglophones are reputed to be independent minded, pro-democracy activists and at such, considered enemies of Cameroon.

elie-smithsstory: The reason why I was born in Penja, Littoral province of Cameroon

2008-05-05T01:39:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: The reason why I was born in Penja, Littoral province of Cameroon

elie-smithsstory: My passage at Cameroon Radio & Television Corporation (CRTV)

2008-05-04T10:27:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: My passage at Cameroon Radio & Television Corporation (CRTV)

The little ingenious act from Nguelemedouga

2008-05-03T09:12:00.000-07:00

Concerning the suggestions of Mr Lawson to transfer Nguelemedouga from Nyanon to the English-speaking region, which he made to Mr Abdulkadir, he (Abdulkadir) responded: “if he is transferred to the North West province, he will become a fanatical Christian”. Lawson replied: “the Anglophone region my dear, is not limited to the North west province alone”. “There is also the South west province, Sir”. Abdulkadir retorted: That is a fine idea, why don’t you ask the Minister of Territorial Administration to transfer him precisely to Bakassi, after his three months stay in Nyanon?”. “Well, yes, I would have wanted him to be sent to Bakassi”. Lawson answered. And Lawson continued: “Please, you know that, Bakassi or a majority part of it is under Nigerian control”. Then Abdulkadir interjected: “This simply means that, neither you nor I want him in our respective regions, please allow him to go and stay where he rightfully belongs”. Lawson replied: “Nguelemedouga is not a Bassa native, he is a Beti”. And Abdulkadir replied angrily: “what is the difference?” And he continued: “the difference in this thing called Cameroon is you and I. For you are an Anglophone and I am a Muslim from the North. And whatever we do, no one will take us seriously or even consider us as a bona fide Cameroonians”.

Lawson was shocked and told his colleague and friend that: “look! Things are heating up; I will prefer that you come home in order for us to talk better”. “Good bye and remain Blessed my brother”. “Same to you”, Abdulkadir replied. As Nguelemedouga got the news of his transfer, he descended to Yaoundé to find out why. He was asked not go back to Couseri and also that, any belongings of his will be brought to him at his new post. He was immediately briefed on the reasons why he has been removed from his former post of duty and given instructions on his new post. . He was briefed on how to work in Bassaland and was also asked to contact all those who had worked in other parts of Bassaland. In particular, he was asked to meet Mr Suh Tony in order to familiarise himself with Nyanon sub district and Ndom sub division in general. On the day of the installation of Nguelemedouga as sub district officer of Nyanon, he surprised everybody. After the speeches of Eyenga Lois, the Senior Divisional Officer of the Sanaga Maritime and direct boss of Nguelemedouga and an array of other dignitaries, it was the turn of Nguelemedouga to address the scanty crowd who bothered to attain the ceremony. He did not address the crowd in French, as other speakers had done before him; he instead addressed the public in the Bassa language. And that little ingenious act from Nguelemedouga endeared him to the scanty population. They immediately spread the news after the ceremony.

elie-smithsstory: My family and my views (final part)

2008-05-03T08:36:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: My family and my views (final part)

Nguelemedouga, in Nyanon with a clear mission

2008-05-01T10:18:00.000-07:00

But the ceremony went on after a detachment of the Gendarmerie was called in to disperse the demonstrators using tear gas, batons and firing live bullets in the air. The pioneer sub district officer of Nyanon, Mr Nguelemedouga, spent his first night in Nyanon with a warning. For he was bitten while at sleep by a serpent and was taken that same night to the Edea General Hospital, he recovered and he promised that, he would rather become jobless than be killed in Nyanon. He left Nyanon for Yaoundé, where he reported what had happened to him to his boss and he was given a month leave to spend with his family. Risdoh, her brothers and their mother were happy to see their father back home. Since Nyanon sub district was created in 1996, the only top civil servant sent there to represent the government was Mr Suh Tony. He stayed there for three weeks and was forced to take a leave and never came back. Mr Tony left not because he had any problems with the locals, but because, Cappolytree suspected that, since he was from Anglophone Cameroon, he might be sympathetic to the opposition and at such, might want to organise free and faire elections. Hence Cappolytree used his connections at ministry of territorial administration to make that, the leave of Mr Tony be transformed into an indefinite one.

This simply meant that, Nguelemedouga might be the first sub district officer who was officially installed but he was not the first civil servant to be posted to Nyanon. After Nguelemedouga’s blunder in Couseri, he was posted to Nyanon with firm instructions to make Cappolytree, the ruling party’s candidate in the up coming elections twin municipal and legislative to win. In Cameroon, divisional, sub divisional and district and sub district officers are not only representatives of the governments, they also double as de facto members of the ruling party and are required to carryout electoral frauds. While Nguelemedouga had his instructions, Mr Lawson who was the prime minister, knew from intelligence reports that, he (Nguelemedouga) was a brilliant administrator who could also perfectly carryout electoral frauds. But he also knew that, it won’t be easy in the Sanaga Maritime division and he may be assassinated. Hence he suggested to Abdulkadir who was the speaker of parliament that, Nguelemedouga be transferred from Nyanon after three months to any of the two Anglophone provinces. But honourable Abdulkadir who is rancorous and believed the act of Nguelemedouga to support Muslims in Couseri and Makari to install the Islamic holy law was a calculated attempt by his political enemies with the tacit approval of Nguelemedouga to ruin his political career, did accept Lawson proposals. He wanted Nguelemedouga punished in whatever manner.

elie-smithsstory: Consequences of African women’s quest for emancipation as propagated in France(part 32)

2008-05-01T09:50:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: Consequences of African women’s quest for emancipation as propagated in France(part 32)

The installation of Nguelemedouga as sub district officer of Nyanon

2008-04-29T09:43:00.000-07:00

The ethnic mixture of Nyanon was synonymous to a gift to the electoral fraud strategists of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and also the ruling CPDM party and disaster to the opposition. Cappolytree was now sure to be gratified with a parliamentary seat by the government for supporting her during the 1992 presidential elections. Cappolytree will get the vital Eton votes in Nyanon during the 1997 municipal/legislative elections. And member of the electoral fraud think tank of the ruling party and those of the ministry of territorial administration were convinced. His victory which was certain even before the elections were called, will assure the ruling party at least a member of parliament from the Sanaga maritime division that most thought that, in spite the perfections in electoral frauds, envisaged and put in place by the ruling party and the ministry of territorial administration, the division was lost. While waiting for the electoral body to be called to the polls, the installation date of Nguelemedouga, the pioneer sub district officer of Nyanon was set. And on that day and date, a convoy of Japanese made air conditioned four wheel drives, carrying the divisional officer and other top local ruling party dignitaries as well as those from Yaoundé drove from Edea, divisional capital of the Sanaga maritime to Nyanon, headquarters of the newly created sub district that also bore the same name.

The delegation was accompanied by team of journalists from Douala, seat of the provincial service of the state owned Cameroon Radio Television Corporation (CRTV). According to records of such a motorcade kept by the oldest man in Nyanon called Bakot, the last time a similar motorcade drove into Nyanon was in 1958. That year, the motorcade was not civilian, but a military conveyor of French Forces in search of Ruben Um Nyobe, the leader of the Union of the Population of Cameroon, who was thought to be hiding in the area. The installation ceremony of Nguelemedouga as pioneer sub district officer of Nyanon took place on a hilly part of the town but was snubbed by the population. The only natives who turn up were a group of nationalist Bassa youths, who came to show their displeasure at the government’s continuous plans of partitioning Bassaland. They carried placards on which they wrote: we want the reunification of all Bassalands, while others wrote: we want the creation of a province that will be called: luminous province. It will be a province that will include the Nkam, Nyong and Kelle, parts of the Wouri divisions and parts of the South province, where there exist indigenous Bassas. The demonstrators also promised to drive away the Etons nationals or tribes from Nyanon.

elie-smithsstory: State grants, one of the causes of divorce amongst African immigrants(part 30)

2008-04-29T09:34:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: State grants, one of the causes of divorce amongst African immigrants(part 30)

The reasons why Nyanon sub district located in the Sanaga maritime division was created

2008-04-28T07:31:00.000-07:00

In Nyanon, where Nguelemedouga was transferred to, because he supported the planned installation of Islamic rule in Couseri and Makari, the speaker of National assembly Honourable Abdulkadir was very happy. For he knew that, however brilliant Nguelemedouga was, Nyanon was where his career will be destroyed. All top government dignitaries in Yaoundé knew that, Bassaland in general was not an easy place to work in, but Nyanon was a largely difficult and slippery terrain to work in. Nyanon was a new sub district created by the government to help one of her Bassa sympathiser, who had spent lots of monies during the previous presidential elections, in order to permit the ruling Cameroon’s People Democratic Movement (CPDM) to win in the Sanaga Maritime division against one of the two candidates of the Union of the Population of Cameroon (UPC). The UPC was one of the many opposition parties of Cameroon. Nyanon’s creation was a kind of pay back time from an unpopular government who wanted one of his supporters to get a parliamentary seat.

The central committee of the ruling party had tried in vein to impose Cappolytree in other constituencies of the Sanaga Maritime division, but met resistance and threats that, if he was imposed, the constituency will vote for either one of the two factions of the UPC or for candidate of the nightmare of the ruling party, the opposition Social Democratic Front (SDF). Hence they resolved to elevate Nyanon, a village within the Ndom sub division into a sub district and also an electoral constituency. Nyanon was ideally situated on the map of the Sanaga maritime division. For it share a boundary with the centre province, precisely the Lekie division, which was populated by Eton nationals or natives. The Etons belong to the greater Beti Nation. This meant that, Nyanon was a majority Bassa district, but it had her own minority Betis population, who would vote during the parliamentary elections and will certainly overturn any tendency of the electorate to vote for the opposition.

elie-smithsstory: French strategy to divide & rule plus their fantasies about Africa(part 29)

2008-04-28T07:20:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: French strategy to divide & rule plus their fantasies about Africa(part 29)

The North West province of Cameroon: a province with her own codes of operation

2008-04-26T07:22:00.000-07:00

The North West province of Cameroon, even though she is majority Christian of Protestant or Roman Catholic faiths, she has a minority Islamic population and a mild brand sharia law is applied via her Islamic courts. But, there are almost no inter religious confrontations. The only recurrent confrontations in the province are that of the farmers versus grazers. And the sources or causes are the ever reducing vegetations, whereas the population of livestock and people are growing. But, to add to the complexity of the province and her people, even though they are highly Westernised, Christianised and some Islamised, they have not abandoned their traditional beliefs. Above and beyond all the codes that civil servants needs to master before embarking into the province in order to work without any polemics, the North West province could easily be one of the best province for any civil servant in Cameroon to dream to work in.

But since most civil servants sent there are most often French-speaking Cameroonians, who are not very religious and who also snub their own traditional values and thus show little respect for the conservative way of life of the people of the province, confrontations always occur. The most hazardous thing for a civil servant in the province to do is to snub her Royals, Churches, Temples or Mosques. Any civil servant who doesn’t belief in God can work in the province, but if he/she tries to bring any libertine ideology or wants to destroy traditional values, he/she will meet the resistance of the people. However, civil servants posted to the North West and who have taken time to study the people and respect their own set out rules, do succeed and is also a benchmark and an assurance for promotion in Yaoundé. But if he/she fails in the North West, it might chime the toll bell of the end of his career promotion within the civil service.

elie-smithsstory: Africa : almost always poorly presented in France(part 27),

2008-04-26T07:05:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: Africa : almost always poorly presented in France(part 27),

The reasons why top French-speaking Cameroonian civil servants have problems in anglophone cameroon: the case of the North west province

2008-04-25T09:23:00.000-07:00

But in the North West province like in the entire English-speaking region of Cameroon, individuals know their rights , how to preserve their rights and don’t entertain government officials who want to intrude into their private lives or want to curtail their freedoms and cultural identities. Another reason is that, the people of the North West province like the overwhelming majority of English-speaking Cameroonians do consider French-speaking Cameroonians, as dubious colonialists who are and were not able to respect the most elementary tenets of the unification agreement of October 1^st 1961. Hence there is constant friction with all top civil servants posted to the region, especially if he is not English-speaking and wants to impose laws without consulting the people. In the North West province, families become famous for their royal national/tribal links, the number of children who have been educated to PhD level and also the number of politicians they have produced. But the second seem to be the trend of the past, for these days, families become famous for the numbers of children killed during demonstrations by trigger happy Government Forces. It is a pride that some of their politicians and elites who are actors on both sides of the political and governmental/opposition platforms, use to give a messianic or doomsday touch to their political speeches and approach to events.

In order for any top civil servant posted to the North West province, in particular those of French-speaking Cameroonian ancestry, to succeed to win the hearts of the people of the province, he/she must first show that, he/she is a traditionalist, who gives respect to the local chiefs or Fon or Lamido. Traditional authorities in the North West province wield strong influence and commands more respect than the central government. Hence, any sign that; a top civil servant posted to province won’t or don’t want to respect traditional institutionalised rites, sparks confrontation immediately and even rumours that, the newly posted civil servants had disdain for traditional authorities in his previous post, could ignite a deluge of petition writing, that will certainly force the central government to appoint a new civil servant. Another stratagem to win the hearts of the people of the province by any top civil servant, who are either a Governor or Divisional or sub divisional officer, is upon taking his/her functions, he/she must make sure he attends regularly the various Christian religious meetings held in different parts of the province. And to coin it all, if the civil servant posted is Anglican, Roman Catholic, Protestant or Presbyterian, it will be highly appreciated even though it is not necessary. The North West province of Cameroon, even though she is majority Christian of Protestant or Roman Catholic faiths, it has a minority Islamic population and a mild brand sharia law is applied via Islamic courts but, there are almost no inter religious confrontations.

elie-smithsstory: My late grand mother advised my mother to get married to my father(part 26)

2008-04-25T09:05:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: My late grand mother advised my mother to get married to my father(part 26)

North West province: the other professional petition writing land of Cameroon

2008-04-24T05:41:00.000-07:00

The only other region of Cameroon where top civil servants don’t like to be posted to is the North West province. The North West is one of the two English-speaking provinces of Cameroon, which makes up the Anglophone region of the country. The North West province is part of the grass land regions of Cameroon. But what differentiate the North West province with the Bassa regions, are not only the facts that, the first are English-speaking, while the second are in majority French-speaking. Their difference is also cultural. The people of the North West like their French-speaking “brothers” of the French-speaking Grass field province of the West are attached to their traditional cultures, even though highly westernised and Christianised. Furthermore, the people of the North West have a very organised and hierarchical society, wherein law and order is respected and also where, traditional chiefs known in the North West province as Fons or Lamidos (in parts with Muslim population) are considered as demigods. But In the Littoral (excluding Bassaland), Centre (excluding Bassaland) and South provinces, it is easy for civil servants to work. While in the four provinces of the Littoral, Centre, East and South provinces, civil servants do not encounter major difficulties to work, it is only within the Bassaland and for reasons already mentioned that they encounter problems.

The North West province is an atypical province, for it is difficult for civil servant to work in the entire province, especially if he/she is not from the English-speaking region or in extreme cases, not a national (native) of the province. But ordinarily, the people of the North West province are warmth, jovial and welcoming. But administratively, they are not docile, they are professional petition writers, who do not only satisfy themselves with writing petitions, they also know how to make their anger known to the authorities in largely peaceful demonstrations, that sadly, almost always ends up in bloodbath. There is a reason for the perpetual rebellious petition writing and demonstrations against civil servants who are posted to work in the North West province of Cameroon. The people of the North West province, like their real brothers of the South West province, have a fundamentally different cultural background with most administrators sent to work in their region. These administrators are almost always French-speaking Cameroonians, who know nothing but brutality and top down orders. For the have been trained according to the Napoleonic inquisitory and inhumane system of administration, as opposed to the much more humane and democratic adversarial system that English-speaking Cameroonians were raised in and are used to.

elie-smithsstory: Cameroon :Sympathy and admiration for what the UPC stood and fought for (part 25)

2008-04-24T05:01:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: Cameroon :Sympathy and admiration for what the UPC stood and fought for (part 25)

The Bassalands of Cameroon and their many chiefdoms

2008-04-23T05:58:00.000-07:00

For in Bassaland, every stream crossed, any path walked across or swath of forest crossed, has her chief with a different tribal appellation. There are no superior chiefs in Bassaland to whom the other petty chiefs pay allegiance to. But in the Grass lands and also in the greater northern provinces of Cameroon, their society is well organised. They also have chiefs and different tribal appellation after every stream crossed, or baobab tress crossed, but they have a superior chief, who rules over or dominates lesser important chiefdoms, Fondoms or Lamidates. Furthermore, the Grass lands and Greater Northern provinces of Cameroon have strict traditional rules and rites. Those are some values that are absent in Bassaland and most of the forest and coastal regions of Cameroon. While the Grass lands and Greater Northern provinces have traditional heads called Lamidos or Fons, in Bassaland, their traditional heads are called Mbombocks. In order to claim the title of an Mbombock, the aspirant must be a direct descendant of a former Mbombock, who was able to trace his ancestry to the first Jews who migrated down south and settled in an area with a mythical rock known in the Bassa language as Ngog-lituba or the White Rock. For the Bassas in their diverse nationalities believe that they are Jews or the lost tribe of Israel.

Bassas: the ethnic Jews of Cameroon

But nowadays, it very difficult to prove that and main reason is because, the Bassa don’t have written proves and all what is claimed have been transmitted via oral history. However, the other parts of the Bassa nationality who also claim and could justify their claim to Jewish ancestry are the Bassa-Badem, for they at least have native names such as Noah, Laban, Salomon or Daniel, without being Christians. How the Badems and the Bassa-Badem did to start having names related to Jews without being Christians has remain a mystery and might be an indication that, they are truly Jews, who may have lost links with Judaism, perhaps because of the early death of their ancestors and leaders. Besides that, it is very difficult to work in Bassaland. One reason often given that makes working in Bassaland difficult is their lack of hierarchical order, in their society. The Bassaland is the exact opposite of the Grass lands or the Greater Northern provinces of Cameroon, which is well organised with chiefs who are well respected. In spite their disorganised set up, the Bassas are an independent minded people who hate orders to be given them. Hence, it is difficult for modern authority to install law or any form of order in the region.

elie-smithsstory: First arrest of my father in East Cameroon(part 24)

2008-04-23T05:35:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: First arrest of my father in East Cameroon(part 24)

Bassaland: one of the bastions of petition writings in Cameroon

2008-04-22T10:16:00.000-07:00

Offices given to civil servants sent to Bassaland and who have been victims of petition letters, thus brought back to their bases in Yaoundé, are always poorly arranged and their desks are like those of sinners waiting to be questioned on their ways to either heaven or hell. Furthermore, during dry seasons, those offices have temperatures at par with that of the ovens of backers. Civil servants posted to Bassaland and who have lost their posts because of petition letters, start cursing the day they were posted to the region, when dry season comes. For it is the best period when their administrative punishments of sitting idle in their respective offices, ignored by their colleagues and also without electric fans or air conditioners are most felt. Another thing often referred to as the lottery of Bassaland, by all top civil servants who have worked there is that, you could either get promoted or demoted within the civil service. But the first comes only the on condition that, during your stay in the region, the combined number of petitions written against or in support of you and that reaches the ministry of Territorial administration, the Prime ministry and the presidency of the Republic doesn’t exceed 2000. Sadly, the combined figures of 2000 petitions are the monthly figures of petitions coming from Bassaland against and on rare occasions, in support of any posted civil servant to the region.

Hence, any civil servant who has worked in Bassaland, know that, his chances of being elevated from where he was before posting, are slim. What causes the binge of petition writings in Bassaland are most often trivial things. Some of them are sparked by the following: in case a divisional, sub divisional, district or sub district officer or the school principal, chief medical officer or commandant of a military post, refuses to visit a local supper star, who hold an obscure responsibility in one obscure ministry in Yaoundé or fails to salute the many traditional chiefs, who at times are competing for legitimacy amongst the people. Those are some of the reasons that might flicker the anger of one native in search or in need for gratifications, to get his pen and paper and write a long graphic report on the behaviours of posted resident civil servants. Bassaland has chiefs and chiefdoms, but unlike the grass lands and greater Northern provinces of Cameroon, traditional chiefs in Bassaland in particular and most of the forest and coastal lands of Cameroon wield very little power. Bassaland doesn’t have an organised set up, as it is the case in the Grass lands or the semi desertic greater Northern provinces of Cameroon. It may partly explain the reasons why, there are many traditional chiefs in Bassaland and it is always difficult for top state civil servants who are not nationals/natives of Bassaland to seek or know their appropriate interlocutors, without risking creating animosity or jealousy amongst those who have not been contacted.

elie-smithsstory: Name change and reasons why(part 23)

2008-04-22T09:41:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: Name change and reasons why(part 23)

The Bassas of Cameroon

2008-04-21T13:25:00.000-07:00

Most are either Protestants or Presbyterians. Some are also Roman Catholics, while a growing number are Jehovah’s Witnesses or have joined other Evangelical Christian groups. It is claimed that, it is because Bassas are rebellious, proud and adventurous; hence they joined massively the war for the independence of French-speaking Cameroon, which began in 1958 and ended only in 1970. The Bassas paid the ultimate prize, even more than the Bamilekes, who were other nationals or natives of French-speaking Cameroon who joined the war for independence in East Cameroon, led by the Union of the Population of Cameroon (UPC). The Bamilekes were equally massively massacred by the French installed government of late Ahmadou Ahidjo, especially in the late 60s and early 70s. By some estimates, the Bamilekes lost not less than 3 hundred thousand people. But since they were better organised and also knew how to compromise, they were able stop the massacre of their population. But the Bassas stood their grounds or were motivated by attributes earlier mentioned; hence the so-called pacification of the Bassaland was a phenomenal atrocity. But there are no records or estimate of figures or the number of Bassas massacred by France and the regime of Ahmadou Ahidjo, as it is the case with the Bamilekes.

It was in a bid to break the back of the UPC led rebellion in Bassaland, French Forces using their French-speaking West African soldiers, generally referred as Senegalese or Tireraillieur Senegalais, decided to use petrol bombs on villages in Bassaland. The method of counter insurgency used in Bassaland by the French and their locally backed regime of Ahmadou Ahidjo, caused a massacre that most people even native or ethnic Bassas, don’t want to recall, for it was atrocious. And it explains why, today, in most parts of Bassaland, there are still large swath of land now transformed into forest, complete with names, but uninhabited. In spite the price that they paid under French colonial period and also under the regime of Ahmadou Ahidjo that was installed by France, Bassas have remained recalcitrant nationals/natives. Even though their population figure was depopulated during the war of independence of French East Cameroon, most Bassas have managed to be well educated and some have become top civil servants. It may partly also explain the reasons why most civil savants sent to work in Bassaland end up either promoted or are sent back to their respective ministries in Yaoundé, to occupy vacant offices, with no real responsibilities.

elie-smithsstory: In search of a true identity(part 22)

2008-04-21T12:37:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: In search of a true identity(part 22)

Nguelemedouga in Nyanon, Sanaga Maritime division, Cameroon

2008-04-19T06:40:00.000-07:00

But Nguelemedouga was victim of a rule that gave teaches and the school administration too much power. And because; he inadvertently denied Boakov a date with perhaps the most beautiful girl ENAM has ever known, it was why Nguelemedouga, as I have already told you, found himself in Couseri, a supposed barren land that, he transformed into a place flowing with milk and honey. Nyanon the new post of Nguelemedouga was a newly created sub district located in the Sanaga maritime division of the Littoral province. This village/town was located in the heart of Sanaga Maritime division and administratively attached to the Ndom sub division, whose sub divisional headquarters was Ngambe. The Sanaga maritime division, and in particular and the Bassaland in general, was a difficult region to work in, for any civil servant: Governors, Divisional, Sub Divisional, and District and Sub district officers. Why? Simply because, the nationals or natives (tribe) of the Bassaland had an extraordinary affection for petition writings, they were almost always ready to complain for the least mistake or conducts judged humiliating or not deserving to be practised within Bassaland. Another reason was that, since Bassaland had a large number of intellectuals, who held top government functions, there was constantly a fight to mutually snip each other.

The Bassalands of Cameroon

This was to make sure that, the specific sections considered as their fiefs within the region, was operating in their favour and also that of the government or the party they were serving. The Bassaland of Cameroon is made up of the Nkam (littoral province), Nyong and Kelle (centre province), Sanaga Maritime, parts of the Wouri divisions both in the Littoral province and also parts of the Ocean division of the South province. Bassas are also found in the English-speaking provinces of the South west in particular in the Fako and Meme divisions and also in the North West province. They are different from those of French-speaking Cameroonians regions earlier mentioned, because they are English-speaking and are attached to values and cultures of English-speaking Cameroon. Bassas are generally considered in Cameroon to be rebellious and are never impressed or afraid of anything or any one. They have insatiable cravings for adventure and are revengeful and proud. Religiously, Bassas are one of the highly Christianised and Westernised nationals of both Cameroons. They are practising Christians, even though some patches of traditional beliefs and its practises do still subsist in rural parts. Most are either Protestants or Presbyterians. Some are Roman Catholics while a growing number are Jehovah’s Witnesses or have joined other Evangelical groups.

elie-smithsstory: National/ethnic classifications of the Mettas in Cameroon & Questions(part 21)

2008-04-19T06:19:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: National/ethnic classifications of the Mettas in Cameroon & Questions(part 21)

Boakov in Buea, Cameroon

2008-04-18T01:34:00.000-07:00

Meanwhile, Boakov finally travelled with Jeanne to Buea, provincial capital of the South west and former capital of Anglophone Cameroon. They spent the weekend at the prestigious parliamentarian Flat Hotel. During their sojourn, Boakov thought that, after showing signs of a gentleman by hiring separate rooms for him and Jeanne, it will make his plans of going to bed with her sail through easily. Then during the final day of the weekend in Buea, at the Bar of the Hotel, Boakov made an open ended question which was coated with a proposition. But to his great surprise, Jeanne, while smiling, told him that, she was not willing to date him. But Boakov is not the type of man who gives up easily. He considered the game of dating girls the same ways predatory animals operates. The first attack might not work out, but it doesn’t mean that, a patient predator as he calls himself, won’t get his prey. Boakov asked Jeanne: “now that you have rejected my proposal, may I ask you this question: who are currently dating?” Jeanne responded: “I am dating Nguelemedouga”. “Do mean little Lenin?” Boakov despairingly asked. “Yes!” Jeanne responded. In reality, Jeanne was not dating Nguelemedouga. And more, Nguelemedouga who was only planning to date Jeanne and never knew that she was also his secret lover, who only waiting for Nguelemedouga to make the advances.

Boakov was very angry and felt humiliated that, a little boy who was above all his student and also younger than his son, was preventing him from dating a girl that he loves. He made his resolve as he and other have already done, to punish Nguelemedouga. How? That is what I am about to tell you and it seems I had already started. The Ecole Normale Superieur de D’Administration et de la Magistrature (ENAM) is as I have earlier explained to you, the school that prepares French-speaking Cameroonian to post positions with the civil service and since the unification of October 1^st 1961, English-speaking Cameroonians who must have to study in French in the school, must through if they do equally desire top government jobs. The most brilliant students at the end of studies at ENAM are posted to strategic posts in strategic towns or cities, while the average students are posted to less important functions. But the administration of ENAM may decide to post the worst students to strategic posts and the brilliant ones to less strategic functions. Such change of rules happens when the average or academically poor students are children of powerful government officials while the brilliant students are children of people with little or no political or financial powers.

elie-smithsstory: Trajectory (part 20)

2008-04-18T01:30:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: Trajectory (part 20)

The transfer of Nguelemedouga from Couseri to Nyanon in the Sanaga maritime division of Cameroon

2008-04-17T03:09:00.000-07:00

Immediately Roger Abono dropped his phone. Lawson took up his and rang Abdulkadir, but he instead got Yesman Feh and Yesman indicated to Abdulkadir that he had a phone call from the prime minister. Abdulkadir who is from the northern Cameroon which is French-speaking is strangely more fluent in English than French as most elites of the North of Cameroon are. And because he was more fluent in English than in French, some politicians of the ruling party which he is also member have accused or suspected Abudulkadir of being a Nigerian who have benefited from the porous borders of the north and strange family web to claim Cameroonian nationality. But the ruling party could not afford to ask for an investigation because such risk ruining their prospects of electoral victory in the Far North. Lawson and Abdulkadir had to first change civilities before Abdulkadir could ask Lawson: “what can I do for you Sir?” “Nothing really”, replied the prime minister. But the prime minister quickly added: “I just called to inform you that, we want to change the sub district officer of Couseri.” And Abdulkadir replied: “what can I do about that Sir?” Lawson answered: “well, I thought you had a name to propose, hence I had first to inform you”.

Abdulkadir laughed and said: “my brother, No! I do not have any name to propose. I am only too happy because, Nguelemedouga like many others before him, sent to our regions are thorns to our political flesh. You can’t imagine what that idiot who is now called Ali has done”. And Lawson asked Abdulkadir: “so you knew that, Nguelemedouga had agreed with religious dignitaries of the sub district and adjacent towns to introduce Sharia law and you could not even inform me?” Abdulkadir replied: “No! Sir, you are just delivering me breaking news and if what you have just told me is correct, you can please order for the transfer of Nguelemedouga to the Nyong and Kelle division or to the Sanaga Maritime division. There he will learn how to behave and it might also chime the bell of the end of his career, alright!” Lawson responded and bade Abdulkadir good bye and dropped his phone and picked up a different one and rang the minister of territorial administration Mr Jibril. Mr Lawson informed him that, Nguelemedouga should be removed from the post of sub district officer of Couseri. And that was how during the during the 1PM French language radio newscast of CRTV Radio, Nguelemedouga aka Ali Lenin was transferred from Couseri to Nyanon, a newly created sub district situated in the Sanaga Maritime division of the littoral province. Nyanon was the heart of Bassaland and Bassa activisms.

elie-smithsstory: Royal West African Frontier Force(part 19)

2008-04-17T02:55:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: Royal West African Frontier Force(part 19)

Conversation amongst government ministers after the September 11th attacks in Cameroon

2008-04-15T02:45:00.000-07:00

“Why?” Nyolo asked. And Nyolo continued: “those people simply want to serve all mighty Allah honestly”. “Have you also now become a Muslim?” Roger responded to Nyolo’s expensive joke and dropped his phone. Abono immediately rang Mr Juan Pedro Lawson, who was the prime minister. Juan Pedro Lawson was not only an Anglophone; he was also a practising Protestant Christian. When he lifted his phone, he discovered that, the speaker on the line was Roger Abono, the secretary general at the presidency of the republic. Mr Pedro first thought, since elections were looming, perhaps the secretary general who in Cameroon operate like the vice president and mouth piece of the president, wanted to inform him that, he has been sacked. But to his greatest surprise, he heard an almost crying Abono on the line and who was pleading: “Pedro, Pedro, please, try and do something, Makari and Couseri are now sharia zones”. And he continued: “Nguelemedouga has gone mad. You also know that, elections are around the corner” the Prime minister was overwhelmed by the declaration and appeals which followed. But he asked Roger Abono: “what is really wrong Sir?” And Abono responded: “don’t you know what sharia is all about? Makari and Couseri have been declared Sharia zones and like an octopus it will spread her tentacles throughout the three Northern provinces”. Mr Lawson paused and said: “Oh now, I can understand your anguish. But you know that, I must first inform the Speaker of National assembly Honourable Abdulkadir”.

And the prime minister went thus: “After which, I will ask the Minister of Territorial administration Mr Aminu Jibril, to remove Nguelemedouga instantly from the post of sub district officer of Couseri and seek for his replacement with some one susceptible of bring law and order in both affected towns”. The prime minister went ahead: you see, Roger, I will have to get all this steps through, which might be long , but that is how the administration operates and also because, since I am an Anglophone, I don’t want that, when things go wrong somewhere, Anglophones should be considered whipping boys. Furthermore, as you know, elections are around, perhaps Honourable Abdulkadir likes what is going on in his province, region and electoral constituency. Roger listened to the speech of the prime minister which was becoming too long and was glad when his boss ended. Then he told Mr Lawson: “alright, if you are not going to act, here at the presidency of the republic, we are going to do something and fast”. Calm down, Lawson retorted to Roger. And Roger replied: “I am calm; I just wanted to inform you, because normally, I would have acted without informing you or even the president of the Republic. However, I choose to contact you because, I don’t like the way things do operate in this country, as far as your post and responsibilities are concern. I also decided to call and inform you because; you are my direct boss in the absence of the president of the republic. But you do not want to act, so thank you, and have a nice day”.

elie-smithsstory: Contributions of none native black Africans to African nations(part 17)

2008-04-15T02:34:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: Contributions of none native black Africans to African nations(part 17)

How senior staff uses dire situations for career advancement in Cameroon

2008-04-14T03:05:00.000-07:00

One staff of the monitoring intelligence service, by name Mbomka said: “I had always suspected that, Mr Mbong, even though a seemingly practising Christian did not love this regime”. He continued: “If not, can any one tell me, why he did not react to the news that has happened in Makari?” Then another one called Kenny asked: “what region is Mr Mbong from?” A third by name Manny responded: “May be he is an Anglophone”. And a fourth called Lusala said: “well, if he is an Anglophone, then we have an enemy within”. Mbomka came on again: “look, if Mbong thinks that, those Muslims will help Anglophones have their own Republic, then, he is deceiving himself”. And a fifth by name Nkonseka replied: “Mbong may be an Anglophone or a francophone or a Christian. But what you all fail to understand is that, he is a politician and none of them are loyal to Cameroon or Biya. I am here to look for bread and butter for myself and my family. I don’t care about details”. Mbomka, Manny and Lusala, all replied in unison: “Hey, he has just made his coming out, so, you are equally not patriotic”? Nkonseka retorted: “if you people think that, I will be intimidated, you have failed.” And he went on: “Look! I am not patriotic and if your own benchmark of patriotism is to support this government or pretend to support her, I can now expose you all and you will discover that, when you use your finger to point at any one, three fingers of your own hands are pointing at yourself”.

Whether Nkonseka’s reaction was a threat or not, it bore an immediate positive result, for fear gripped his colleagues who feared that, Nkonseka might truly expose them. Lusala said: “let us forget about our futile arguments, and let not Mbong’s action destroy us. We have been working together for too long and we now a family and our mutual brother’s keepers”. As the staff of the monitoring service were walking toward their office and arguing, Mr Mbong stood up after his prayers and rang Reka Nyolo, who was secretary general at the presidency of the Republic and when Nyolo lifted his phone, Mbong broke the news to him. The secretary general at the presidency was very happy, for he knew that, the regime had something to capitalise on and which will be used as an offer to the US government in exchanged for their support to the government of Paul Biya. But while Mr Nyolo was happy and he rang his own boss to break the news, his joy was dampened by the reaction of his boss whose name was Roger Abono. Mr Abono told him: “the news you have just given me is another blow to this government.”

elie-smithsstory: My ancestry: paternal (part 16)

2008-04-14T02:48:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: My ancestry: paternal (part 16)

Senior staff uses a dire situation for the career advancement

2008-04-13T04:14:00.000-07:00

But Nyolo replied: “look, no body will accept that. On the contrary, it will make the world to understand what they have been rooting for and it might give them a boost that, they have personally denied themselves for close to 15 years now. Look here! Your idea, however brilliant it seems, has been rejected and please allow the SCNC to keep on shooting their own legs and you and your colleagues should fetch me something else the president could present to the US government. It is the survival of this regime that is now at stake”. Bella Mbong and Nyolo knew that, this was the opportune time to show their utility to the president of the republic; hence he went back into his office and met his colleagues who were monitoring international and world news. And they decided to tune to the 4 PM Hausa News on Voice of Nigeria (VON) and they were shocked to hear the newscaster announced that: Muslim dignitaries in the town of Makari in Northern Cameroon have after a meeting with the state representative of the locality, agreed to install Islamic rule in the town and in another town called Couseri.

The government’s news monitors took the recorded tape immediately to the desk of their service head that was no other person than Mr Bella Mbong and asked him to listen to the news reported by Voice of Nigeria. Mr Mbong listened to the tape quietly and to the consternation of the staff of monitoring service of the presidency of the Republic, their service head showed no signs of particular excitement or nervousness. Bong told them: “thank you for a job well done”. And he asked them to leave his office with an equanimity that shocked his subordinates. And as they left, Mbong closed his doors and went down on his knees and prayed to God. He said: “father God, thank you very much for this golden opportunity that, you have offered me to use and win a promotion in my career. I know you are a God who makes impossibilities because possible and thank you for giving the Muslims of the north of Cameroon, the courage to frighten this wicked and corrupt government that, I am working for”. “In the name of your son Jesus Christ, I hope that, the news from the Hausa service of Voice of Nigeria is correct. If it is not, we are going to make it look correct through your son Jesus Christ, Amen!” While he was praying, his subordinates who had left his office were walking and discussing the reaction of their service head on the flights of stairs leading to their office situated on their third floor underground the office of the presidency of the Republic.

elie-smithsstory: Variance in some languages spoken in the Cameroons & reasons why (part 15)

2008-04-13T03:52:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: Variance in some languages spoken in the Cameroons & reasons why (part 15)

How African governments benefited from the September 11th 2001: the case of Cameroon

2008-04-12T03:49:00.001-07:00

While Paul Biya and his government officials wanted to reap benefits from the Twin Tower attacks of September 11^th 2001, they never knew how to position themselves or what to offer or appear indispensable in the eyes of the US administration. For since the cold war ended in 1989, with the Western world led by the United States, defeating the Communist USSR and their East and central European satellites, most African governments were no longer of interest to Westerners. This meant that, some countries and their governments such as Cameroon were no more receiving huge financial help, which the ruling class transferred immediately into their private bank accounts in the Caribbean, UK, France and Switzerland. The only African countries that attracted interest were South Africa, Nigeria, Algeria, Nigeria and Egypt. These countries attracted interest because of their vast minerals, Oil and Gas potentials and also because they were the largest African economies and natural regional leaders. In short, they were of geo-strategic importance. But there also existed other African countries that, in spite their inferior mineral and industrial or regional potentials, were still of importance to Western countries and the US in particular. These African countries were some on continental East Africa and also some maritime African Indian Ocean Island countries such as: Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles.

As for the Reunion and Mayote Islands, even though they are African countries or Island countries, they are controlled by France that is an ally of the United States. But on the East African main land, countries such as: Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia were and are still of strategic importance to the US and her allies, especially in the fight against Islamic terrorism. But Cameroon offered little in term of strategic importance to the US administration, especially that, she was isolated diplomatically even within the minuscule regional body called CEMAC. In Yaoundé, Biya was aware of the handicaps of his country; hence he and his advisers were working hard, but they could not truly see an appropriate bait to offer to the US administration, in order to show them that, they were also vulnerable to Islamic attacks and at such, shared the same pains and fears of the US government. One of Biya’s brilliant minister by name Reka Nyolo ordered members of the presidential team who monitors world and national news on Radio, Television and also on the World Wide Web, to open their eyes and ear wide, in order to get something in the national or world news, that, they could capitalise on. Immediately, one monitor by name Bella Mbong brought some briefings about the Anglophone nationalist movement, the Southern Cameroon’s National Council (SCNC) and he said to Mr Nyolo: “we could present the SCNC as a terrorist group”.

elie-smithsstory: My ancestry: maternal (part 14)

2008-04-12T03:47:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: My ancestry: maternal (part 14)

How the news of the Twin towers attacks was received in Couseri, Cameroon (part 3)

2008-04-11T02:29:00.000-07:00

And since the Imam had put on the loud speaker of his phone, in order to permit the other Islamic court judges who had come to visit him to listen to the conversation that, he was having with the sub district officer, the responses and the last question of the representative of the government in Couseri made the Islamic court judges in the living room of Imam Mustapha to go numb. Embarrassed, the Imam responded: “Look, Ali, something will be done to your case and exceptionally on that, of Fatima. But you also have to bear in mind that, if Fatima is not punished by one way other the other, we won’t be able to compete in terms of adherence to the precepts of the holy Koran, as our brothers in Northern Nigeria are now doing and not to be mentioned our brothers in Afghanistan, that, I do hold in great esteem”. Imam Mustapha continued: “Look at Zamfara state in Nigeria, there, almighty Allah is helping his honest and humble servant Governor Ahmed Yerima to establish law and order plus moral values”. The alternative, the Imam added: “concerning your preoccupations, Fatima will be given 100 lashes in publicly. If you are not happy with this final proposition, know that, she will be killed by stoning and after which, your own file will be opened”.

“For we want to make you both examples of how determined we are to make the three provinces of the greater north of Cameroon to become an Islamic region. And as the saying goes: the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step; Couseri and Makari are places to show our determination of transforming not only the northern parts of Cameroon into an Islamic region, but the entire country”. The hard posture put on during the phone conversation between the Imam and Nguelemedouga ignited heaps of Allah is great in the background. For the Islamic judges were afraid that, their spiritual leader had capitulated to the tactics put forward by Nguelemedouga to evade the holy justice. But then, the Imam sensed that, Nguelemedouga’s silence on the phone might be a sign of dejection, hence he also paused in his long monologue, before adding: “Ali, are you still there?” Ali responded: “of course, I am still on the line”. The Imam went on: “Ali, I know you have great ideas to defend our faith. But know that, as from now henceforth, No application of Islamic rules in Couseri, no Fatima”. Before Ali could react, the Imam had dropped the phone. Immediately, the authorities in Yaoundé were informed about the Twin Tower attack, the president of the Republic was excited. For he knew that, the American government will certainly react and it was time for the president of Cameroon Paul Biya and his government to benefit from the calamity that has just befallen on the American people.

elie-smithsstory: The case of Africa (part 13)

2008-04-11T00:55:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: The case of Africa (part 13)

How the news of the Twin towers attacks was received in Couseri, Cameroon (part 2)

2008-04-10T03:50:00.000-07:00

Imam Mustapha after some procrastinations, decided to ring the sub district officer Ali Lenin Nguelemedouga, for he was not only the representative of the government in the area, he was above all, the most educated male Muslim. His opinion mattered. He decided to ring Ali Lenin Nguelemedouga, in the presence of other religious dignitaries. And when he broke the news to Ali Lenin Nguelemedouga, the sub district officer (SDO) of Couseri, Far North province of Cameroon, he pretended as though he was not aware of the news. However, Nguelemedouga told the Imam of Couseri that: “we must try all we can and this in our possible means, to show to others that, our religion is not what those terrorists have just done”. And he added: “it is necessary to start making things clear now, because, our brothers in the south of the country, who are Christians, and whom late Ahmadou Ahidjo instead of transforming them into Muslims, kept playing with them. They will now start laughing at us”. While the Imam appreciated the suggestions made by Nguelemedouga, he (Imam Mustapha) nevertheless, reminded him (Ali Lenin Nguelemedouga) by saying: “southerners are not our brothers as long as they not Muslims”.

He continued: “Our brothers are in Kano, Sokoto( both cities are located in Northern Nigeria), N’djamena ( Republic of Chad), and Zinder ( Republic of Niger), Greater Northern provinces of Cameroon and pockets of regions in the North West, west and south west provinces of Cameroon who are Muslims and in other Islamic countries”. Imam Mustapha added: “your suggestion that we should do everything not to let people tarnish the image of our religion and in particular, that of his prophet Mohamed is brilliant.” Imam Mustapha questioned Nguelemedouga aka Ali: “But what do you really think we should do, before the infidels of greater south Cameroon, that, you are calling our brothers could start insulting our religion?” Remember! The Imam insisted: “your name is Ali and Ali was the nephew of our prophet. He was a defended of pure Islam and you need to follow his footsteps.” Ali Nguelemedouga responded: “we have a problem here and it is that of Fatima and me. It seems our wise brothers of the holy court are studying it. As you know, I have promised to get married to Fatima. But how can I get married to a person who will soon be killed by stoning, according to the sharia law?”

elie-smithsstory: Why the European Union quest for Super power status won’t stand (part 12)

2008-04-10T03:21:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: Why the European Union quest for Super power status won’t stand (part 12)

How the Twin tower attacks were received in Couseri, Cameroon

2008-04-09T04:28:00.000-07:00

The Hausa service of Voice of Nigeria was the first broadcaster to make the Hausa world to know what had just stroked the great Satan as the US is identify by some Muslims. Then, the BBC Hausa service also began broadcasting detailed news about the attack. It was one of the beneficiaries of the transistor Radio that Nguelemedouga had given his guests as sign of appreciation during his conversion who first heard the news. His name was Idriss.

And as he heard the news, he shouted “thank you, Mr Sub district officer. Without you, we would have taken weeks to know this, because those infidels in Yaoundé have never thought of putting a relay station here to permit us receive signals of Radio Cameroon or their Television station”. Idriss hurried to the Sharia court and met at the entrance a member of the oulema who had just left the deliberations of the Sharia court to honour a natural call. He murmured to him: “our brothers have done some thing that; I don’t know whether it is noble or it is calamitous”. And the Mullah by name Njang Ibrahim answered: “be very clear”. Idriss said: “Mullah Ibrahim, our Muslim brothers are alleged by Voice of Nigeria and the BBC to have attacked the great Satan with two aeroplanes”. And Mullah Ibrahim retorted: “from which language service did you get such horrible news?” Idriss responded: the Hausa services of both VON and the BBC”. “Then it must be true”. Mullah Ibrahim replied and went into the court room where the other oulemas were deliberating on Nguelemedouga’s and Fatima’s fates. He lifted his right hand up and immediately the presiding judge told him: “speak!” Mullah Ibrahim said: “I beg to ask the court in the name of almighty Allah to lift the deliberation of it present sitting. Why? Because, Idriss has just told me a very bad news that, will change for ever the perception that, the infidels have toward our religion”.

One Mullah by name Buhari interjected: “well, the infidels have never liked us. What is new or it is just a calculated attempt to deny Allah’s decisions to be applied on his servants Ali and the stupid Fatima?” Ibrahim said: “far from that, as you know, any decision taken here, I will be the first to apply it, especially if it is stoning.” “Ok! Tell us what the bad news is all about”. One Mullah grumbled. “As I was saying, our brothers have attacked the great Satan in her eyes in New York city with two aeroplanes”. “This can not be true, I am happy and may their souls go straight to Paradise”. Mullah Abdulsalam cried from behind. It was in chaos that, the Sharia court holding in Makari ended and all the Mullahs rushed to their homes and tune on the Radio sets, which were gifts from the one whom they were deliberating on at the Islamic court on the appropriate punishments to inflict on him and his interpreter, who had become pregnant. As they rushed to their homes, after getting the news on the Hausa Voice of Nigeria (VON) or the BBC Hausa service, they decided in the evening to meet at the home of the Imam of Couseri. The name of the Imam was Mustapha Mohamed Sayed. Before the consternated religious dignitaries could reach the home of the Imam, he had also received a phone call from the Imam Sokoto in Nigeria and he told him what has happened in the United States. Imam Mustapha after some procrastinations, decided to ring the sub district officer Ali Lenin Nguelemedouga, for he was not only the representative of the government in the area, he was above all, the most educated male Muslim. His opinion mattered.

elie-smithsstory: Responsibility of all those formerly oppressed(part 11)

2008-04-09T04:06:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: Responsibility of all those formerly oppressed(part 11)

How Nguelemedouga, the sub district officer of Couseri became known as Ali

2008-04-08T03:32:00.001-07:00

A date for the conversion of Nguelemedouga from a Roman Catholic Christian to a Sunni Muslim was retained. During the conversion, Nguelemedouga was proposed a list with three Muslim names to choose from. He decided he will be called Ali. Ali who is today, considered as one of the heads of the Shiite branch of Islam, was the nephew of the founder of Islam: Prophet Mohamed. The locals were very happy, to a point that, they gave the sub district officer whose real names were Nguelemedouga Ntangan more gifts in cash than he had anticipated. They recalled fully well that Nguelemedouga never liked gifts that were not in cash. In return, Nguelemedouga gave to his visitors and to all those who came to see his conversion, transistor radio sets that he had ordered from a Nigerian manufacturer based in the city of Aba, in Abia state, Eastern Nigeria. He had instructed the Nigerian transistor Radio set manufacturer to make it possible that, the radio sets that he was to give as gifts, to his guests should receive two stations: the Hausa service of Voice of Nigeria (VON) and the Hausa service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The locals were blissful. Although Nguelemedouga was now an Islamic convert, he did not visit the mosque regularly. In fact, since his conversion, he went to the Mosque to pray only once.

An attitude that prompted some locals to start questioning his sincerity especially that, since he told the public that, he was going to get married to Fatima, he had not done the prerequisite for marriage and Fatima was closer to give birth. Tired of waiting for the sub district officer whose Muslim name was now Ali, the Sharia court of the town of Makari and whose jurisdiction covered that of Couseri, received the complain of the Imam of Couseri and decided to convene a meeting to deliberate on the case of Nguelemedouga aka Ali. And since Nguelemedouga was now a Muslim, he could not absolve himself from any Islamic laws. Fortunately for both Fatima and Nguelemedouga aka Ali Lenin, while the Sharia court seating in Makari was deliberating on their case, the World Trade Centre towers in New York, US was being attacked by Islamic terrorists, who were in majority from the holy land of Islam, Saudi Arabia. The Hausa service of Voice of Nigeria was the first broadcaster to make the Hausa world to know what had just stroked the great Satan as the US is identify by some Muslims. Then, the BBC Hausa service also began broadcasting detailed news about the attack. It was one of the beneficiaries of the transistor Radio that Nguelemedouga had given his guests as sign of appreciation during his conversion who first heard the news. He shouted “thank you, Mr Sub district officer. Without you, we would have taken weeks to know this, because those infidels in Yaoundé have never thought of putting a relay station here to permit us receive signals of Radio Cameroon or their Television”.

European Monarchs and Explorers(part 10)

2008-04-08T03:04:00.000-07:00

Natives or nationals from areas where European Monarchs and explorers, decided to take their scientific achievements and religious values to, have great respect for earlier period Europeans. Furthermore, they have also developed strong attachments to religious values that Europeans brought along side their progress. But it can be also argued, which is true, that, the export of European scientific achievements and religious values, which were in most cases done with the nobles of intentions, also caused enormous lost of lives to the recipients. The negative aspects of the meeting could be referred to as collateral damages. And it must also be pointed out that, no human being has ever ruled another honestly. It is not a matter of pigmentation, but it is human nature, for only God can rule us with honesty. But it is always the negative aspects of ancient Europeans, especially in their encounters with natives of other parts of the globe and Africa in particular, which are often mentioned. Seldom is it mention, the positive contributions that Europeans also brought with them. I am therefore of the opinion that, it is a monumental bad faith that must be either discarded or corrected. If not, Africans risk toeing the same path of selectivity in history, which has characterised modern Europe. I am also of the opinion that, all parts of our history, our positive as well as our negative points, should be made known without shame. This should start by accepting that, Europeans also contributed positively in Africa and elsewhere, for to deny that Europeans never help or are still helping to change and improve lives in Africa and elsewhere, will be a colossal lie.

Victims & a new troubling trend

Those who suffered most in the hands of Europeans were the Andeans of North and South America and those of the Caribbeans, the aboriginals of the Pacific islands and the Oceania regions (Australia and New Zealand) and black Africans. Black Africans suffered and are still suffering and perhaps worst, in particular, those who are in the Arab and Islamic worlds. But while Arabs are still mistreating blacks and other minorities in their sphere, today, a new troubling trend is developing in some Western European countries and in particular, in one country, which has self declared herself, as the centre of human rights defence, promotion and protection. This new trend is that which, some Europeans, do no want black Africans and other victims of their past bestialities, to think or even talk/write about their past sufferings. That trend is not only beyond comprehension, it must be fought, for it is an infringement to human rights and to all basic tenets of democracy, as often expressed by the very Europeans. It must also be recalled that, most famous Europeans, whose names and statues populate most European streets and public squares and who also do make some Europeans/ countries proud, (some of them), were in reality, people who got their fame by oppressing black Africans and other indigenous people around the globe. But above and beyond any polemics, the greatest thing that Europeans brought to black Africans and to people of African ancestries and other indigenous people around the globe was and is still Christianity.

How Nguelemedouga, the sub district officer of Couseri converted from a Christian to a Muslim

2008-04-07T02:38:00.000-07:00

Remember, he (Nguelemedouga) had cast a look at the entire sub district of Couseri in search of an interpreter and the only one he deemed fit was a girl called Fatima. Fatima was well educated, she spoke standard Arabic, English and French. But the natives of Couseri never wanted to recognise her prowess. Why? Simply because she was a woman. Individually, but secretly, men appreciated Fatima, not just because she was very beautiful, more because she was well educated. But they made a pledge never to let her or the public know their feelings, for fear they that, it might make her to think that, she was superior to them and also encourage other girls in the sub district to demand to be educated as Fatima was. And when Nguelemedouga was posted to Couseri, he decided to choose Fatima as his interpreter and that action infuriated the local business and religious dignitaries. Now the second cause of anger was that, Fatima was not only maintained as official interpreter, she became pregnant. The local barons were angered and send another delegation to Yaoundé. But Nguelemedouga, a very intelligent tactician surprised everybody in Couseri. One Friday, he went to the public square after prayers.

At the sighting of him, the natives spate collectively on the ground. It was their own manifestation of the level of disdain they had toward the representative of the government in their locality. But Nguelemedouga, who had learned Arabic and spoke it fluently, reached for a loud speaker that was in his 4 Wheel drive Toyota land cruiser, and called for the attention of the public. He told them: salaam alee kum. No one responded, for they were flabbergasted that, the man has not only started speaking Arabic, he came to the public square on a Friday to address them. Some thought he wanted to provoke them. But an old imam, watching the reaction of the public asked them to listen for to what the infidel wanted to say. Then Nguelemedouga told the crowd: since I was posted here, you have welcomed me with open heart. Hence, I want to solemnly tell you today, before God and his entire creature on earth, that, I want to abandon my childhood religion which is Roman Catholic, to become a Muslim. And the crowd went: Allah wakba, Allah wakba. And he added: I have decided to get married to Fatima. And all the nefarious plans that, the local were planning against Nguelemedouga were dropped. What they were now planning was the occasion to formalise the conversion of Nguelemedouga from a Christian to Muslim.

elie-smithsstory: Resisting the spectre of depravity (part 9)

2008-04-07T02:02:00.000-07:00

elie-smithsstory: Resisting the spectre of depravity (part 9)

Boakov's victory in the love triangle battle

2008-04-06T06:35:00.000-07:00

He stood up and motioned with his right wide arm, toward the direction of the door and Miss Nkong, surprised and intimidated at the same time, reached for the door with the speed of light and she opened the door and went out without saying good bye . Out of the office of Boakov, she had the reaction of an antelope who had just freed herself from the claws of a Lion. She ran off and never told anybody; even her friends were not informed about the propositions made to her by Boakov. She wanted to know the town of Buea, which were formerly the capital of German Cameroon and also the capital of British southern Cameroon’s. And today, she is merely the provincial capital of the South West province. Buea had besides her picturesque Mount Cameroon, which is also known as the chariots of god, her famous Otto Von Bismarck fountain and her majestic Prime Minister Lodge. She also has a number of baroque and colonial European buildings, which are left to decay. They are all vestiges of the German and British presence in Cameroon. The Prime Minister’s Lodge used to serve as official resident of the prime minister of British Southern Cameroon’s and also his office. But the Cameroonian nations are the creation of the Germans and not those currently known as Cameroonians. This so because, before the advent of the Germans, what is in the present day is called Cameroon, was formerly an assemblage of many nationalities that were ignoring each other.

Boakov succeeded in taking Miss Nkong to Buea, but Nguelemedouga did not give up. He was still interested in her. Since he (Nguelemedouga) was acting like a predator, however some times, things happen that, a prey slips off the claws of a predator. But sadly, Nguelemedouga graduated without seeing the pants of Miss Nkong. But it did avoid or prevent Boakov to develop a mix feeling toward him. Boakov loved and respected Nguelemedouga at the same time. He love and respected Nguelemedouga because he was a brilliant student and also because, he had the same age of his son. But he also considered the fact that Nguelemedouga was interested in dating the same girls that they of teaching corps dated or wanted to date, as a manifestation of insolence, which deserved to be punished. Nguelemedouga aka Lenin who had graduated without seeing the pants of the beautiful Jeanne Marie Nkong had an exciting career. Even though he was posted to a part of the country considered as barren land, because of reasons you all now know, he nevertheless made a feat, by succeeding transform an aspired barren land into a biblical land, flowing with milk and honey. He was a brilliant administrator and loyal representative of the central government but who nevertheless continued to annoy the natives of the locality he was commanding. The latest anger that he caused the natives of Couseri and Couseri sub division emanated from the source of the first.