32 years and counting...will Biya learn from Compaore?

Chances of the average African leader remaining on the tree top of power until he falls from it like an overripe orange very high.

Ballot boxes and the much trumpeted democratic will of the people hardly count in Africa. Rather, bullets and the ability to panel beat or tinker with constitutions often takes the biscuit.

Tin gods like Joseph Desire Sese-Seku Kuku-Gbendu Waza-banga Mobutu ruled the then Zaire with an iron fist. He was chased out of State House like a destructive rat.

Before him, the likes of Idi Amin Dada of Uganda and Jean-Beddel Bokassa of the Central African Republic had been cornered like frightened rats and discarded like repugnant dross. Francisco Marcias Biyogo Nguema turned Santa Isabelle, now Malabo, into what became known as “Devil Island”.

He ruled and ruined those who elected him into office. When reckoning time came, he was caught, hiding in a farm by an elderly woman. His own nephew so indecently executed him. This nephew, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbazogo, has been Head of State of that country for the past 35 years. He, apparently, has many plans in life, and quitting power doesn’t appear to be one of those plans.

The list is legion. But the most recent is that of Blaise Compaore, who slew his best friend, Thomas Sankara and occupied the former’s place at the State House for 27 years.

He was going the whole political hog of fidgeting with the Burkinabe constitution, with the obvious intent of keeping power, when the bona fide owners of that power - the people, told him rather brashly, that he had become disposable political filth. He left the State House through the back door and headed straight to a refugee camp of sorts in the Ivory Coast.

The Post sampled the opinions of a wide range of Cameroonians on what lessons they thought President Paul Biya could draw from Compaore’s indecent fall. This became especially important because Biya, himself, has spent something of a life time in power. The idea was also to let the people appreciate Mr Biya’s 32 year stewardship as Head of State.

Their responses were not only frank but equally passionate and intriguing in certain cases.

Fall of Campaore,what lessons to Biya on his 32nd Anniversary?

Adhere to the Demands of Cameroonians The important lesson President Biya must learn from the Burkinabe episode is that, the demands of the Cameroonian population must be met. Biya should make sure there are more employment opportunities, which can only come through a favourable environment that supports the growth and setting up of industries.

This will go a long way to improve the livelihood of our young graduates who leave the university and professional schools every year. These are some of the major reasons why people take to the streets to strike. Biya should not forget that, putting in place good social amenities such as the potable water, schools, hospitals and good roads will make Cameroonians live a comfortable life. Importantly too, the President should not make any attempt to tamper with the constitution as if Cameroon is his private property. Cameroon belongs to all Cameroonians. Bernard Nchayaya, Businessman, Kumba

Continue to guarantee peace to the nation Generally speaking, I see no lesson for President Biya to learn from what happened in Burkina-Faso because, our two systems of government are completely different. It is on record that in the whole of Africa, President Biya has been able to manage serious and delicate situations that would have degenerated into war. We, in Cameroon, have learned our lessons during the ghost town period of the early 90s. At the end of the day, Cameroonians have come to understand that, war is not a good thing. The peace we enjoy in this country is priceless because, you cannot enjoy even the small money you have, when there is no peace in a nation. So I think what President Biya should continue to do for this nation, is ensuring that Cameroonians live in peace. John Kingue, YCPDM President Meme IA, Kumba

There is fire on the Mountain If I were Biya, my preoccupation on this 32nd anniversary in power will be focused on charting a new course to solving the numerous errors of his three decades plus, in power. Considering what has happened in Burkina-Faso, President Biya should know already that there is fire on the mountain. It is about time he starts running, because a day is coming when the wind would blow the smoke of the fire into his eyes and there will be nobody to help him out. When that time comes, even the lackeys that pass for regime barons will not be there to help him out. So as Mr Biya goes celebrating his 32 years at the helm of Cameroon, he should start thinking of handing over power now that the applause is elusively loudest before the wine in his cupboard gets sour. Michael Kum, Contractor Kumba