Interviewing a few of them on phone, they told me they are in full support of the Anglophone struggle, aired out on the impact of the Anglophone marginalisation on their education and economic life and suggested a way forward.
26 year old
Secondary school teacher in Lebialem tells us the effects are so huge he is now thinking of attempting
farming to flush the emptiness:
'The
Consortium is doing pretty well and its time government reacts to the demands
and voices of the people. These ghost strikes airing the grievances of
Anglophones are seriously affecting me as a teacher. I am not motivated to
teach and study. As I speak, I am seriously thinking of farming, and also study
music and ICTs. This does not in any way dissuade my belief and support for the
Anglophone struggle for Federation is a system where different people live
together as one.'
35 year old
Beteck from Kumba thinks the buttons should be pressed a little further for
action.
'This
morning, the town of Kumba woke up to calm with the effective take off of
flourishing businesses and the presence of police officers at every junction of
the city. Some teachers have stormed their school premises but there is not a
child with a uniform in any of the schools. I wish different parties engaged in
a peaceful resistance that would not affect the studies of the children, thus
spare UNESCO from declaring the academic year Blanc. I have not personally
suffered from the Anglophone marginalization but I have suffered abuse and
manipulation from persons close to me. This fight should help mute the
different forms of abuse and insults Anglophones have endured in places of work
situated in the French speaking side of Cameroon. I will shock you with some
details about detained files in high offices kept by Anglophones. I have a case
the Head of State should have addressed still warming the walls of an office
cupboard of an Anglophone. However, I am an Anglophone who is in support of the
Anglophone struggle. I have my personal grievances which the Lawyers and
Teachers have denounced and addressed in these protests. I stand with them for
a Federation because it will enable the united central government to function
in accordance with separate units that each control it’s within. This will stop
the public works ministry from building roads in particular regions and
abandoning others to their fate.'
19 year old
Form Five student from SOH-NGWO-NJIKWA, Momo Division, North West Region, who
has been a drop out for years due to lack of means to fund her education, and
only started school this academic year in Buea, Michelle KIM tells us how
frustrating this is for her.
'Things
haven’t changed much. I am not happy because I am supposed to be a G.C.E
Ordinary Level candidate this year and my dreams have been shattered with this
fight. I am feeling bored at home and I am missing my friends in school. One
year will pass us by and we will mark time on the spot watching others excel.
Nothing is going on here in Buea bet for the Fact that places are cold. With
these recent developments, I think we should separate from French Cameroon and
give ourselves a chance.'
40 Year old
Ginia KUM who is a writer, counsellor and parent in Bamenda regrets the fact
that her son won’t go to school like other students in the eight French speaking
regions of Cameroon.
'The ghost
town has stopped. But the teachers and lawyers strike continues. The detainees
have been released but some parents have not found their children among. As for
school re-opening it is not going to happen anytime soon. And this affects me
as a parent because children should be going to school.'
45 Year old Roland KWEMAIN, Founding President of the Cameroon Leadership Academy, 2010 World JCI President and CEO of Go Ahead Africa, who is also a parent shares the frustration his son endured missing school on January 9, 2017.
'Then this morning our first Son knew that it was practically impossible for him to go back to school despite all the goodwill of his parents he was so sad and really frustrated. We began a long conversation of questions and answers session on what was really the matter? “Why is it that all these people are radicals and rebels? Why police all over the streets?” He asked.
It has been one of the most challenging situation as a parent to see our children staying home for almost 2 months as a result of the strike of the “Anglophone” Teachers. It was not easy to explain to this 13 years old boy the difference between Radicals and Rebels.Radicals, if their cause is fair and just, change positively and peacefully the society. Ghandi, Martin Luther King Jr, Mandela, Rosa Park, Patrice Lumumba, Kwame Khrumah, Douala Manga Bell, Um Nyobe, Thomas Sankara… These are individuals who were also put on court-martial or sentenced to death because their radical thoughts and philosophy were ahead of their time.
Where would the world be today if these so called “radicals “had not displayed the audacity to express the truth? Am very convinced that the world would have been far better if more individuals had the courage to advance a radical, yet true, cause. Most often the route to sustainable achievement is a drastic attitude to a rotting problem. Our greatest challenge, if we are labeled a radical, is to stay true to our truth.
As we start this week, let us bear in mind that Rebels promote insurrection meanwhile Radicals renovate. Radicals want to improve the current structure. Rebels want a detached identity.
In my humble opinion, Radicals are not Rebels but Inspiring Leaders!'
Is the Anglophone struggle rebelious or radical? This is a billion CFA question every national from these opposition strongholds will have to ponder on before further engagement. For it is a good thing to fight and it is even better to fight wisely for a just course. “The man who passes the sentence should swing the sword. If you would take a man's life, you owe it to him to look into his eyes and hear his final words. And if you cannot bear to do that, then perhaps the man does not deserve to die.”
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