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Something New To Take Home

Almost one week into the campaign to win voters’ hearts to pave the way for access into the Etoudi State House, activity has gone into a decisive gear with issues, uncharacteristically, taking the floor. Unlike in similar campaigns in 1997 or in 2004 when a number of candidates were left behind virtually stuck to their starting blocks without much to offer, this time around, there seems to be much to choose from. Criticisms over the observed tendency by opposition parties to concentrate their campaigns around picking holes in the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement modus operandi can no longer really stand, given the steam and the issues at stake.

All the 21 candidates have taken off from the starting blocks and it looks like all are taking the effort as a long distance race. Many seem to be taking the generally-impoverished posture of the average Cameroonian today, to score some quick political points with promises, many of which border on outright demagogy if one were to go by strategies being proposed by some of these candidates. There is a firm promise by one of the candidates to provide a whopping 2.5 million jobs between October 2011 and October 2016, with a yearly creation of 500,000 jobs.

In this order of things, there is another promise of providing free water for all citizens drawing from the huge hydrological resources the country has. These suggestions dovetail into the economic sector where some revolutionary propositions are also being made. For example, some candidates propose constructing hydro-electricity plants on every available waterway in the country and by so doing, provide cheap energy for citizens and industry. It is also the hope of some candidates to restructure the functioning of banks so as to make provision for reserves which can be set aside for future generations. One economic issue which has certainly attracted attention is the abrogation of cooperation agreements with France, especially in monetary issues. For one of the candidates, many of the economic woes are to be blamed on the use of a currency imposed from outside. If elected, it is the candidate’s proposal to immediately introduce a national currency whose name has even been found by the candidate; the ‘Um.’

But the political sector has been where most of the candidates have been very innovative. Many initiatives in this area range from the negligible ones such as the repatriation of the mortal remains of President Ahidjo, the electoral system, the administrative organisation of the national territory to a deep-rooted political reorganisation of the country. Many candidates seem to have made the return of the mortal remains of Ahmadou Ahidjo an important political issue because in their reckoning, it will reconcile the nation with itself. But as to if such an issue can help attract votes, is debatable, except striking a sensational cord that could attract sympathisers. Some have suggested a transitional period after the proclamation of the election results to help put in place what they believe will be more reliable, credible and acceptable political institutions that promote true democratic practice. Others have revisited the hot potato issue of limitation of presidential terms. Here, there is a fixed formula: two four-year terms; two five-year terms, one seven-year term, etc.

The political reform project also goes to the extent of taking up the current 10 regions to 26 with Yaounde, the national capital, having a special status. Several parties and candidates see the country’s progress in the economic and political fields only consolidated and guaranteed through a federal structure of government. For now, there is unanimity over a ten-state federation in which a Federal government in Yaounde and regional governments will take care of defined areas.

Decidedly, the campaign is far from redundant. Many of the people who turn up for rallies are beginning to take home some new ideas. That is what campaigning is all about. At least, hearing some new language; even if transforming that into concrete actions is another issue altogether.

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