Cameroon Political Story: Memories of an Authentic Eye Witness

Foreword

xiii Foreword Hon. N. N. Mbile is one of the rare breed of surviving founding fathers of the Cameroon nation west of the Mungo. He has played a preponderant role in the politics of this nation for almost half a century with lots of zeal, patriotism and foresight. Indeed, destiny assigned a noteworthy place for him in the political dispensation of this country at different stages of its evolution. He started off as an intelligent schoolboy in his Lipenja native land, and crossed to Nigeria to earn knowledge that was to stand him in good stead for the tough, exacting and rugged political career that he pursued relentlessly. He had a stint as a hard-hitting journalist for the Zik Press in 1947, a job which was risky in those days as he had occasional brushes with the colonial administrators whose highhandedness he attacked. By the force of his courage, wit and talent, he distinguished himself as a mouthpiece of the voiceless. That easily impelled the work-force of the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC) to enlist him as their Secretary General who would assert their concerns to their European masters. He diligently exercised trade union power to the benefit of the thousands of CDC workers then. From then on, Hon. Mbile stood out as one of the exuberant Cameroonians bubbling with the determination to free their people from years of colonial rule. He went headlong into an enduring and challenging political expedition, and became a Member of Parliament in Zik’s NCNC at first, forming the KPP later, and finally allying with the KNC of Dr. E.M.L. Endeley at the peak of reunification politics. While he was still an MP, he took positions which earned him scorn and misunderstanding from some of his compatriots of Southern Cameroons who branded him as a sell-out to the NCNC of Zik at a time Dr. Endeley had pulled out of the NCNC on grounds of the “Benevolent Neutrality.” Now that the story has been told and actions and opinions of succeeding players lie bare along the path of Cameroon history, it is for the impartial reader in his sober reflection to dare judgement or opinion on the sincerity or otherwise, of those earlier actors in a scene that ever continues to unfold. His position on the reunification question has always been misunderstood and shrouded in controversy. What transpired before and during the Foumban Constitutional Conference are experiences he lived body and soul, and contributed to with patriotic fervour, and xiv commitment. From the plebiscite in 1961 to the pacific revolution of 1972, Hon. Mbile knew mixed fortunes, as Member of West Cameroon House of Assembly and served as minister of different portfolios in the West Cameroon government, before being unexpectedly dropped by the Muna government in Buea early 1972. Hon. Mbile continued to be a loyal citizen and statesman despite the intrigues, treachery and bashing he had from his political peers and adversaries living and dead. He has, therefore chronicled his political life as it affected the Cameroon Political Story. He sets the records straight on so many areas surrounding the question of Cameroon’s reunification and the Foumban Conference which many of his contemporaries have been mute about or simply distorted. The Cameroon Political Story is understandably his memoir, recounting a life-long romance and involvement in the political evolution of Cameroon. He describes with great wit, humour and the power of narrative, the events that culminated in the birth of Cameroon. He describes each event with clarity and penetrating insight as a participant and observer. As he states so clearly, “the Cameroon Political Story is a long journey through the eyes and actions of the author himself.” He raises questions in his analysis which call on every patriotic Cameroonian to reflect on how far we have come as a society and how far we have to go. This fascinating and revealing book bears significance for all Cameroonians and the world as it demonstrates that belief in a common ancestry, collective effort, the will to succeed and positive wisdom are needed in full measure to unleash our best potential for meaningful progress, peace and unity, For like Hon Mbile succinctly put it: “Our Children Now own a fatherland, In which to dwell in happiness, And proudly call their own, To love and to adore...” Peter Mafany Musonge Yaounde, 15 September, 1999 xv This historic “Unity Picture” was...