It is within this context that the initiative of the 50-odd members of the Cameroonian-Americans who have been in the country for the past week visiting historic sites associated with the slave trade should be understood. The welcome so far reserved for our kith and kin has simply been enthusiastic as at each of their stops, throngs of Cameroonians have surged out to welcome them. These meetings have been very emotional moments. The visit to Bimbia on the outskirts of Limbe, former Victoria was particularly symptomatic of a reverse version of the Biblical parable of the prodigal son. Most of the delegation members burst into tears after the short walk to the beach from which hundreds, probably thousands, of our great- grand parents, cousins, nephews, nieces were ferried to the Americas centuries ago.
Unlike the Bible story where the prodigal son deliberately decided to go out, against parental consent, in search of greener pastures, our people were sold out against their will in the now-infamous slave trade. We may not be held responsible for what happened three hundred years ago. But as representatives of the various lineages that were responsible for this horrendous practice, we definitely owe our people some form of apology; for it is too simplistic to lay all the blame on the doorsteps of the slave traders.
In Limbe and Douala, we saw traditional leaders come out shamelessly to the fore to remind our guests of the existence of an authentic African culture for which they should feel proud. But where were they at the time our brothers and sisters were sold out? It is even said that the slave trade was made so easy thanks to the connivance of traditional leaders. To have put them at the forefront of those receiving these ethnic heroes, somehow smacks of either provocation or indecency. The least these visiting kindred deserve is a simple apology. Our visitors have not requested any apologies. But goodness! We should show some remorse!
But of those of us who remained in the fatherland, what did we do? Africa is still fairly underdeveloped and no one expects that our visiting brothers and sisters should be so excited about picking up citizenship here. A statement made last Monday during the CRTV ‘Monday Show’ programme is very telling of the state of mind of many Cameroonians. A contributor, who called to comment on the visit of our Cameroonian-American friends, said he hoped the team was here to develop Cameroon. The programme’s host was quick to correct that position, suggesting that the team was around “to contribute to help develop the country.” Small as that act might have been, it was clear that the difference in the perception of the type of relations between Cameroon and its Diaspora was being put to question; leading many to question the choices our leaders of today have taken to ensure the emergence of the people our kith and kin left behind.
Otherwise, how do we explain the exponential rise in the demand for visas to go to the very countries which are closely linked to slavery? Go to the US embassy in Yaounde and you will understand the full import of this postulation. The visit of the Cameroonian-Americans gives us one useful opportunity to review our developmental options. How comfortable are we to receive our brothers and sisters and what can we really offer them?
