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PRESS CONFERENCE OF POLITICAL PARTIES
OF THE OPPOSITION REPRESENTED
IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT
The current political situation in Cameroon, since the November 2000 session of
the National assembly, has been characterised by two major events that revolve
around the issue of elections and the preparation of the
"France-Africa"
summit.
The issue of elections has had a boomerang effect provoked by the demands of
the opposition parties represented in the National Assembly, to wit: SDF, CDU,
MDR, MLDC and UPC concerning the creation of a National Independent Electoral
Commission charged with the organisation of free, fair and transparent
elections in Cameroon. In its place the CPDM government has opted for NEO
imported from Senegal.
The opposition does accept NEO for three pertinent reasons. On the hand this
organ, an abject version of the Senegalese model, was adopted without taking
into account various adjustments made by parliamentarians of the opposition to
render this Senegalese text compatible with the political realities of
Cameroon. On the other hand, this organ is considered unconstitutional for the
reason that it was conceived in derogation of the powers vested in the
constitutional council and the Supreme Court as provided by section 48 of the
fundamental law of Cameroon.
Finally, NEO turns out to be a subservient structure entirely at the " beg
and
call " of the President of the Republic, President of the CPDM, who single
handily, appoints its members.
To well meaning observers of the Cameroonian political scene, especially in
respect of the practices, reflexes and the unwieldiness of the CPDM, inherited
from the one party, it is quite to doubt the capacity of NEO to " improve
" on
the electoral system in place as the regime is claiming. The chances are rather
that NEO will be absorbed and transformed a superstructure for the CPDM to
serve as a screen for electoral fraud.
For these reasons the opposition political parties represented in the National
Assembly reiterate their rejection of NEO and continue to demand the creation
of a National Independent Electoral Commission for the organisation of free,
fair and transparent elections in Cameroon.
Furthermore the bad faith of the CPDM government in electoral matters, has once
more been manifested by the postponement indefinitely of municipal elections
which normally would have taken place in January 2001. It has remained true to
its tradition of never respecting the electoral agenda which many a Cameroonian
do not hesitate to attribute to precautions linked to mysticism. This
postponement is a reflection of the fear of the CPDM regime, after the firm
rejection of NEO by the meaningful opposition parties as well as their
determination that no election shall be organised without a National
Independent Electoral Commission; it is also a translation of the fear of the
ballot by the CPDM Regime.
If, as some people say, the upcoming "France-Afrique" summit is one of
the main
causes of postponement of the municipal elections, this pretext implies either
fear of the ballot box, the insignificant role that the regime attaches to the
electoral process or even a tactless message of renewal of the weak and
illegitimate to French leaders.
For the Camaroonian people who share a long history with the people of France,
this summit is welcome. It allows Africans to be inspired by the traditions of
one of the big democracies of modern times, cradle to Human Rights, a republic
of citizens united by the ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity.
The summit will also at the dawn of the 21st century renew the spirit of "
Baule " which was a high moment of the support of France of the
democratisation
process of Africa. More importantly, it will lay a foundation of the a new
development approach of Africa which cannot catch up with globalisation by
people overburdened with undevelopment, poverty, conflicts, aids that are
usually aggravated by power hungry leaders who maintain themselves in the
saddle at all cost with the sole purpose pillaging and enjoying the resources
of their people.
The "France-Afrique" summit will appreciate on the spot the milliard
of
problems inflicted on the Cameroonian political scene by the CPDM regime, which
the Cameroonian people have continued to denounce.
In the light of the foregoing a grand patriotic rally will be organised in
Yaounde on 13th January 2001 by opposition political parties represented in the
Assembly. All the active forces of the nation are invited to this rally to bear
witness to the failure of the CPDM regime and invite the International
Community especially progressive leaders in Africa and France to help
Cameroonians in their struggle for the restoration of true democracy in their
country.
Yaounde 11th January 2001
For CDU
Hon. Adamou Ndam Njoya
National President of CDU
For MLDC
Hon. Yondo Marcel
National President of M.L.D.C.
For MDR
Hon. Dakolé Daïssala
National President of MDR
For UPC
Hon. Kodock Augustin
Secretary General of UPC
For SDF
Hon. Joseph Mbah-Ndam
Leader of the SDF Parliamentary Group.
The end
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