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La Constitution camerounaise
| Beyond Celebrations |
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| Écrit par Cameroon Tribune |
| Mardi, 18 Mai 2010 04:55 |
 After 50 years from colonial rule, Cameroonians ought to be writing petitions to have their country’s flag flying over their homes. In a country like the United States of America which is a melting pot of peoples from all nations of the world, the line between foreigners and citizens is thin because most of those living in the USA carry the US flag happily to demonstrate their belonging to that great nation. Other nationals across the globe may have different ways of showing their sense of patriotism and Cameroon, like most African countries, might not have had enough time such as the USA to forge a spirit of nationhood into her citizens.
However, as the special May 20 National Day approaches on Thursday, the effervescence keeps increasing with the multiplicity of events to mark 50 years of the independence and reunification celebrations in Cameroon. Since May 11, 2010 when the festivities were launched with an inter-faith service grouping religious leaders from different denominations, the public enthusiasm toward the manifestations has been slowly building up. With the arrival of the various delegations and special guests of President Paul Biya for the Yaounde Conference, a greater steam will definitely be added to the occasion. So far, dance groups, artists and intellectuals drawn from various spheres in the country have been demonstrating their talents in a bid to showcase the country’s cultural diversity. Across the African continent, the 17 African countries that are this year marking 50 years of independence have been involved in varied forms of celebrations. Others have either constructed a monument, taken a major decision to impact on national life or opted for other forms of national cohesion to rally more patriotic sense of belonging that could further consolidate unity in the rather fragile states that the colonial masters left behind. In Cameroon, President Biya has added a touch of reflection throwing the challenge to the entire continent through the Yaounde Conference of May 18-19, 2010 dubbed “Africa 21”, under the theme: “Africa, an Opportunity for the World: Realities and Challenges”, Having invited some 50 panellists from across the globe to analyze the road so far covered and chart the way forward for Africa, the clear cut objective will be to avoid errors of the past in order to shape the future. The likes of the former Secretaries General of the United Nations Boutrous Boutrous Ghali and Kofi Annan, the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Kamalesh Sharma; the President of the African Union Commission (AU), Jean Ping are among those assembling in Yaounde. That must be an opportunity for an exchange of ideas that should make the continent look different in the years ahead. Of course, given the age-old divergent views that have marked the evolution of many African States, the Yaounde Conference may not produce a revolution, but the end result can be expected to spark off some new dawn for the peoples of Africa. Within the country itself, some Cameroonians are yet to be seen taking full possession of the anniversaries as the popular feast that it ought to be. The rallying symbol of Unity which is the Cameroon flag will not be out of place flying over most, if not all, homes in the country. Elsewhere, people show their love for country by simply multiplying the usage they make of their national emblems. That could be new-found sense of togetherness should Cameroonians come out of the celebrations with a rebirth of national cohesion. |
