Voice Of The Oppressed

What Patrice Lumumba Said Exactly 49years Ago (June 30,1960)

Video
Speech by Patrice Lumumba, June 30, 196 During Congo's Independence (with English subtitles)

Know Your History : Future Of Southern Cameroons, Rival Policies Argued At The UN

Did Dr EML Endeley initially advocate for an "Autonomous Southern Cameroons" OR an "Autonomous Region In an Independent Federation Of Nigeria"?

Why did John Ngu Foncha resist the whole idea of ending the trusteeship system 'abruptly', before settling down on the option of "independence by joining La Republique?

Did Any of them highlight the third option: "Complete Independence Of Southern Cameroons" ?

In A Lighter Mood: Bongo 'Amused' UN

Bongo 'Amused' UN

...Boos For Sarkozy At Omar Bongo's Funeral

Source: Telegragh

By Henry Samuel

Nicolas Sarkozy may be enjoying a (modest) popularity surge in France after his UMP party fared well in European elections, but the same cannot be said in Gabon, where the President was copiously booed as he turned up for today's state funeral of his deceased counterpart, Omar Bongo Ondimba.

Know Your History

Neba-Fuh

It is impossible to carve out a better future if you discount your past. In as much as Southern Cameroonians are figuring out ways of reversing the status quo, it is worth revisiting some of the historical events that put us in this present quagmire.

Storm Clouds Over The Cameroons (1961)

 (Source: The Times of June 19, 1961)
  From Our Africa Correspondent

As one looks westwards from Douala, the busy port and commercial outlet of the Republic of Cameroon, the view is filled by the rising hulk of the Cameroons Mountain, an active volcano 13,350ft. high, the spreading slopes of which cover an area of some 400 square miles. Wooded mountains stretch northwards in a crenellated chain along the frontier between the Republic and the British trusteeship territory of the Southern Cameroons, frowning on Douala with an air which at this time of year, when the clouds hang low, is heavy with menace. The hills are the invulnerable fortress of terrorists who for six years have carried on a sporadic rebellion.

The Bongo Syndrome

By Neba-Fuh

When the earth opens its mouth to swallow the remains of Omar Bongo Ondimba- Africa's longest serving despot and one of the world's richest 'non-monarchical' ruler, the question that will linger in the minds of most African progressives is this: "Is it really worth the trouble to amass so much wealth in foreign territories while your people languish in poverty?"

... Bongo Dies

Source: Al Jazeera

Bongo, who had been the longest-serving ruler of a African state, died at the Quiron clinic on Monday at the age of 73, Jean Eyeghe Ndong said in a statement.

"At 2:30 pm, the medical team informed me, as well as the officials and members of the family present,

that the president of the republic, head of state Omar Bongo Ondimba had just passed away following a heart attack," the statement said.

Ndong said that he had earlier in the day visited Bongo at the clinic, where he had been admitted early last month.

The Tank Man (video)

The Tank Man

Lessons From The Unknown Rebel- The 'Tank Man'

by Neba-Fuh

June 5 2009 marks 20years since the world witnessed the greatest ever public individual defiance by any human being. The setting : Tiananmen Square, Beijing China. The event: Demonstrations by Students and workers denouncing Communism and calling for greater freedom and democracy. The Year:1989. Star Protester:  The "Tank Man".

World No Tobacco Day!- Reflecting On Our Hypocrisy

By Neba-Fuh

Today, May 31 is observed the world over as "World No Tobacco Day". A day set aside to highlight  the health hazards caused by tobacco products. The theme this year is "Tobacco Health Warnings".

The hypocrisy surrounding the addictive habit of smoking is glaring in any part of the world you find yourself.

The Role Of African Women In Dismantling Totalitarian Regimes

By Neba-Fuh

If the biblical teaching that 'the man is the head of the family' is anything to go by, then the woman is surely the heart of that family. 

Sex Scandal Miami Priest Quits Catholic Church

Source: Reuters

A popular U.S. Roman Catholic priest photographed frolicking with a woman on a Florida beach announced on Thursday he had joined the Episcopal Church to pursue the priesthood in a faith that allows married clergy.

Re: Why The SDF Will Boycott May 20 Celebrations

By Neba-Fuh

I read with keen interest the firm stand by the Social Democratic Front, SDF to boycott this year's 'National Day' celebrations published in the web edition of The Post Newspaper Why The SDF Will Boycott May 20 Celebrations
It should be recalled that the strategy of boycotting National Day celebrations is not a new phenomenon in the Cameroons and of course, it is not the first time SDF is staging a boycott.

Is The Front Becoming Fun? Part II

By Neba-Fuh

The preamble of the Manifesto of the Social Democratic Front(SDF) highlights amongst other vices: 'humiliation of Cameroonians, oppression, hypocrisy and confusion' as some of the triggers that necessitated the creation of the Front.
The founding fathers' holistic approach to the Cameroonian problems, had replaced the original agenda of the idea of a platform to address the Southern Cameroons struggle. A vision had been ditched and a national political party the SDF emerged.

What Finland Can Teach America About True Luxury

By Trevor Corson*

What is true luxury? Just when I thought I'd settled on my answer – a flat-screen TV the size of Kansas and a leather-upholstered car that can travel at triple the speed limit – I made several visits to Finland. Shortly after my return the financial crisis hit. Finland has been on my mind ever since. In these hard times, we could learn a few things about luxury from the Finns.

Strolling the streets of Helsinki, the capital, I noticed a lack of grand architecture and opulent homes, and an abundance of modest cars. Helsinki was a nice enough city, and it had some gems of modern design, but part of me felt that Finland was a bit dull. And, strangely, some of the Finns I met seemed to take pride in this.

Finland seemed even duller on my next visit in July. The weather was glorious, but Helsinki felt like a ghost town. I learned that most Finns take a five-week summer vacation, and that many of them disappear for the entire time to tiny, bare-bones cottages in the woods. Curious, I wrangled an invitation to visit one of these secluded cabins. It was meticulously cared for, but lacked any creature comforts. I quickly realized that there was nothing to do and no one to see.

After a couple of days at the cabin I was a convert. It was marvelously relaxing, and I realized the Finns were on to something – a form of luxury that had little to do with high-end products, the quest to acquire them, or the need to show them off. While some Finns pursue the material trappings of success, most seem to feel that the pleasures of time and solitude are more precious.

During my visits, I met some North American expats, including a Canadian who'd lived in the US for years. "I talk to friends back in North America," he told me, "and they tell me about all the latest toys they've bought. Here I'm just puttering away on my little house like a Finn, and that's about it. The pace of life is slower. I like that."

Americans in Finland shared similar sentiments. But they weren't naive about the place, and there was a reason they weren't buying the latest toys. "I'll never become rich in Finland," one explained, "the taxes are just too high." But for him it was a trade-off worth making. "Great healthcare, basically free. My kids get one of the best educations in the world, free." By the way, that includes college, free. He had no plans to move back to the States.

As I spent more time in Helsinki, my own notion of the luxuries available in Finland expanded to include more than just the quiet pleasures of a cabin getaway. Finnish cities are filled with universally well-maintained and high-quality schools, hospitals, buses, trains, and parks. While most Finns might never be able to own a well-appointed SUV or a big house, they value the less-tangible assets they do have, which add up to quality of life and peace of mind.

Finland doesn't pay lip service to providing a level playing field for all its citizens. It really does give the vast majority of its citizens a fair and equal chance in life, in a way that the US just doesn't, no matter how much Americans like to think it does.

Finland has its downsides, of course. The Finns I met described high rates of depression and alcoholism among their countrymen, and admitted that many Finns seem to suffer from low self-esteem. When I returned to the dynamic bustle of New York, I was happy to be back, even with the financial crisis decimating the economy.

Compared with Finns, Americans have qualities I admire and treasure: optimism, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a willingness to be opinionated, for starters. These qualities will help us fight our way back to economic health.

But let's face it: The single-minded pursuit of outsized material consumption helped get us into this mess. As we struggle to get back on our feet, perhaps we should pause for our own "Finnish moment."

*Trevor Corson is the author of "The Secret Life of Lobsters" and "The Story of Sushi: An Unlikely Saga of Raw Fish and Rice."

source: The Christian Science Monitor(www.csmonitor.com)

Is The Front Becoming Fun? Part I

By Neba-Fuh

Albert Mukong(late)
The role of any opposition party in an established democracy is to be an unsolicited watchdog of the ruling party, while constantly aspiring to take over power through democratic means, if possible. A front is a movement aimed at achieving a specified political objective.

Corruption: Former Ambassador To The US, Detained!

By Neba-Fuh

Whether Mr Jerome Mendouga, former Ambassador of Cameroun to the United States of America sought asylum in the US or not, is insignificant , compared to the harm he is alleged to have caused the people of this nation by getting involved in a shady deal to buy an unfit plane for a worthless ruler. After all, immigration officials of host nations done grant asylum depending on whether the reasons for your persecution or would-be persecution in your country of origin are necessarily justified or not.

Virtual Freedom In A Real Dictatorship

By Neba-Fuh

When the court session reconvenes to hear the flimsy case about a hardworking science teacher, Roland Fube, who was arrested and tortured by agents of the Yaounde regime, under a flimsy excuse that he was insulting or planning to assassinate the 'head of state'  or whatever, genuine patriots will ponder and fathom how mean, intolerant, and cowardly this oligarchy has become. 

Washington DC beats African Nations in HIV-AIDS Infection Race

The seat of  world power, Washington DC is now one of the biggest harbours of HIV infected persons, surpassing some sub-Saharan countries with high HIV infection rates, such as Uganda .  Recent statistics show that at least 3 % of DC residents have HIV or AIDS. It should be noted that an infection rate of 1% is considered an epidemic.

A Visionary Never Dies!

Two years ago, Southern Cameroons lost one of her greatest literary icon, critic and  visionary- Dr Jacobs Bate Besong. His passing on came as a shock to us all . We wailed uncontrollably wishing  it never happened,  because our society needed him most at that time. Today, the society Dr BB staked his life to mend, is now worse.

Remembering A Visionary: Poems In His Honour

THE OBSCURE INTELLECTUAL LIVES ON*  by Neba-Fuh

Speak not,
Except your voice improves
Silence's tranquility.

Write not,
Except your ink isn't to soil
The fine works of pulp's craftsmen.

Read not,
Except your prejudices aren't buried
In your mind's contours.

Listen not,
except you worry not of what
May not please your soul's audience.

Dr Jacobs BB lengthens the struggle,
By shortening the fear;
When contemporaries sit on the fence.

He listens,reads,
Writes and speaks.
The obscure intellectual lives on.


A Rare GEM*  by Neba-Fuh

He talked when everybody was expected to be silent.

He ran when everybody was admonished to walk.

He laughed even when it was dangerous to be heard.

He crowed when others insisted it wasn't dawn.

He thought while the sages slept.

He wept while others laughed in ignorance.

He published, never to perish.

* Published in Their Champagne Party Will End! Poems In Honour Of Bate Besong
  Edited by Joyce Ashuntantang and  Dibussi Tande

Papal Visit:What Impact On The Regime and The Immorality Of Some Clergymen?

By Neba-Fuh

The polemics surrounding the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to The Cameroons  is not without reasons. If one views the Roman Catholic Church as a religious body with an authoritative moral standing, then it is obvious that her leader-the Pope, has the right to visit his followers  anywhere and at anytime of his choosing.

On the other hand, if one views the Vatican City as a sovereign state with a leader or ruler, then  it is diplomatically unquestionable for its leader being the Pope to pay  a visit to The Cameroons, at any agreed time. In the latter case, the Vatican cannot disentangle itself from all the political attributes-be it virtuous or vicious that go with any sovereign state.

The Curious Case of Slumdog Millionaire: Africa In The Spotlight

By Neba-Fuh

Africa came into spotlight in the movie Slumdog Millionaire.
Slumdog Millionaire, a low budget film acted by little known actors  just caught the attention of the world. It just won eight Oscars during  the recent Oscar Academy Awards, beating possible winners in the Best Picture category like: The Curious Case of Benjamin Burton, Nixon/Frost, Milk and The Reader.

Africa-A 'Poor' Continent: Do you know that..

Do You Know That...

There Is An African 'President' Who 'Cures' AIDS?

The President Who 'Cures' AIDS - Part 1(video)

The President Who 'Cures' AIDS - Part 1

The President Who 'Cures' AIDS - Part 2

The President Who 'Cures' AIDS - Part 2

February 11 - Eclipsing Its Historical Significance

By Neba-Fuh

A historical date like  February 11, has been reduced to a mere tea time slot in the historical calendar of  the Cameroons, where kids,pupils,students, non-schooling youths, young adults and even adults amplify their exuberance. I have no problem with celebrating a Youth Day, for while still  a youth, I really enjoyed celebrating this day that was introduced to us as the 'National Youth Day'.
On the eve of every 'Youth Day', Mr Biya addresses the youth, outlining what his regime has attempted to do, has not done, or can not do.

ELECAM- Another Trust Betrayed!

By Neba-Fuh

The Supreme Court's commissioning of the 10 persons appointed by Mr Biya , to man the rigging machines of elections in Cameroun under the banner of ELECAM (supposedly a 'neutral' body to manage  elections),  is the last attempt by rats to mount a catwalk where the audience is  made up of cats. 

Congolese Rebel Leader, General Laurent Nkunda, Arrested!

The surprise arrest of Congolese rebel leader Laurent Nkunda by his former Rwandan allies raises many questions. Here are some answers  provided by Michelle Faul (Associated Press Writer)

President Barack Obama 2009 Inauguration and Address

Video

Inaugural Speech Of Barack Hussien Obama-First American President of African Descent

 "...To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds...."  President BARACK H OBAMA

Below is the full address

Bush's Farewell Address To Americans

Fellow citizens: For eight years, it has been my honor to serve as your President. The first decade of this new century has been a period of consequence -- a time set apart. Tonight, with a thankful heart, I have asked for a final opportunity to share some thoughts on the journey that we have traveled together, and the future of our nation.

Ghana - A Pacesetter

By Neba-Fuh

 Ghana- the land of African visionary Kwame Nkrumah has transited from one democratic President to another- a real antithesis of the present status quo in Africa. A  continent that is stinking of stale leadership resulting to its positioning in the egoistic quadrant of the world order, all because of its numerous autocrats, continually denying to relinquish power.

Biya: A Ruler Who Is Out Of Touch

By Neba-Fuh

"We therefore immediately embarked on the process of constitutional revision in order to remove a hurdle which was looming over our political future in the medium-term. I believe that the majority of the Cameroonian people understood the meaning of this reform which, in any case, leaves all options open". - Paul Biya

Biya's ritualistic end of year speech to the people of Cameroun is a provocative piece incoherent with the spirit of  political leadership even in its most pretentious state.
He exhibited extreme detachment from his populace in every sense of it.

Poem: Oh Peace!

By Neba-Fuh

Your beautiful face comes out,
In a way you can't do without,
Words pierce, wisdom chills,
Guns trigger, blood spills,

Military Coups In African Dictatorships: Liberation or Retrogression?

By Neba-Fuh

There is no clear-cut difference between African dictators and Military rulers. All of them either seized power conventionally or unconventionally; some before they stepped into power, others, during their endless reign.

Coup In Guinea Largely Welcomed

Source:International Herald Tribune

In one fell swoop, most of the top politicians of this impoverished West African country surrendered themselves to the cadre of junior officers who began seizing power Tuesday after the death of the country's longstanding ruler. The army's rank-and-file seemed to be lining up behind the junior officers. And the coup leaders swiftly replaced governors with military commanders.

"We are at your disposal," the country's prime minister said in a live radio address.

Though the young officers essentially shoved aside Guinea's civilian leadership at gunpoint, there was not a lot of complaining among the populace.

Coup Leader Names Himself Guinea President

Source: CNN

Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara declared himself president of the National Council for Democracy, which he called a transitional body that will oversee the country's return to democracy.

In effect, that would make Camara president of Guinea, which was thrown into turmoil Monday after the death of President Lansana Conte.

A military junta that toppled Guinea's government announced its new leader Wednesday in a nationwide radio address.