Cameroonians have seen and heard stories of people who toy with peace and stability.

They can even assess their living conditions, the road so far covered in national development, the shortcomings of nation-building and so forth. Such debates may intensify within the next days and weeks following such a major political event in the country: the October 9, 2011 presidential election.

The short lull after Election Day on Sunday October 9, was definitely interrupted on Monday with threats from a faction of some presidential hopefuls calling for annulation of the election result. With the verdict on electoral litigations delivered yesterday October 19 by the Supreme Court acting as the Constitutional Council, and the eventual publication of electoral results tomorrow October 21, 2011, there is bound to be renewed discussions across the country over the victors and the vanquished.

A reference to victors here is certainly because the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement went in for the election with a group of allies while the opposition on Monday demonstrated a sense of new-found coalition for a common purpose; that is, the cancellation of election results. This observation may end there!

But Cameroonians for the most part have, several without number, said they are ready to accept only the option of peace and stability no matter the odds. Several glaring examples even in other countries demonstrate to Cameroonians that the political scenery can at times be vicious with the most estranged characters crying more than the bereaved. This is often over perceived or imaginary cases of abuses: human rights, freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and the list can go on and on.

Nascent multi-party democratic experiences in Africa since the 1990s have known repeated cases of chequered fortunes with recriminations of fraud as the most recurrent complaints. With 23 candidates that vied for the office of Head of State during the October 9 election in the country, the outcome may not be different this time. Consequently, few Cameroonians would be surprised if some people express any objective doubts about the outcome of the election tomorrow because such pessimism would be a déjà vu.

In conclusion therefore, others who have taken chances with their national sovereignty in recent years have more than once found themselves between the devil and the deep blue sea, throwing away peace, stability, safety, development and progress for little more than crumbs from the table of the so-called benefactors. Thus, all genuine national aspirations can only find best expression within the confines of the nation in question and not elsewhere. The legal and institutional frameworks can only be the best bet for any form of claims. As such, when the people decide through the ballot box, as the Supreme Court will make the results known to Cameroonians tomorrow, there will be no need crying wolf when the dice is cast. A logical conclusion for the winner will only be to say; “bravo” and to the losers; “If at first you don’t succeed try, try again”.