PM Reconstructing, Soldiers Destroying – A Comic Reconstruction Plan

It is embarrassing and laughable at the time that while Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute is lobbying for entrepreneurs to contribute money and help the State reconstruct the conflict-hit regions, of the northwest and southwest but government forces are at the same time burning dozens of houses in the northwest region.  In fact, as the Prime Minister was inside the conference hall of the employers’ syndicate GICAM in Douala on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, the media was inundated with reports of government forces burning houses in Buh, Tadu, and Vekovi villages in the Bui division.

Prime Minister Does Not Command MINDEF

There is no need to emphasize the fact that Cameroon’s Prime Minister has no say when it comes to critical issues affecting the country or commanding some Ministries that take orders from the Presidency like the Ministry of Defense. This shows that the position of Prime Minister is a window dressing, paper tiger, and toothless bulldog. If the Cameroonian government were sincere about this reconstruction, MINDEF would have ordered government forces not to further burn civilian houses. The cacophony existing within the government is appalling. But this only confirms the assertion that Paul Biya uses divide and rule to stay longer in power. Poor PM!

Of what need is the tour of the PM echoing reconstruction while forces are doing the opposite? Of what need will the millions be used for when the war is still ongoing? Why would a Prime Minister be charged with implementing resolutions of controversial National Dialogue when the government itself cannot dialogue among Ministers?  These questions are many!

International Disgrace  

The international community cannot be fooled with few media outings, fake promises, and propaganda that all is well like that of the northwest governor, Adolphe Lele L’Afrique, when he said just a few pockets of resistance exist in Kumbo. The recent OCHA report of May 2021 shows that more than 700 thousand people are still internally displaced. This figure is huge with a there is huge need to end the conflict and seek lasting peace and justice. Instead of walking around burning old guns, collecting funds for reconstruction, it will be of the interest of the Cameroon government to solve the conflict and address the root cause.