UPC condemns street manifestations

Though the party stance for constitutional amendment has been made known, officials say it is unreasonable to take to the streets based on intentions.

The Union of the People of Cameroon (UPC) strongly advocates for the revision of the constitution. But in spite of the party’s position on the issue of constitutional amendment, the Secretary General, Prof. Basile Louka has condemned public demonstrations by some political parties.

To him, the UPC does not act based on intentions. “It is not because someone has asked that the constitution should be revised that the UPC would call on people to go to the streets when even a bill has not been sent to Parliament to that effect, he told Cameroon Tribune in an exclusive interview.

UPC, he stated, represents a great history as it will soon celebrate its 70th anniversary of its creation. He regretted that Cameroonians would be brutalised if they take to the streets to express their opinion, a thing which the UPC does not subscribe to.

According to the party’s Secretary General, Prof. Basile Louka, Cameroon badly needs change which can only be triggered by constitutional reforms. To go by the UPC officials, the present constitution does not attach values of the country’s history for the battle for independence. Politically, the UPC argues that the presidential mandate of the Head of State should be limited in a bid to modernise political and public management.

This, he stated, will give a new impetus to public governance and the renewal of the political class of the country. The move will also reawaken public office holders that they are accountable to the people and are being evaluated for their actions.

The party also thinks that voting age should be reduced from 20 to 18 years. Prof Louka argues that at 18, the youth are already matured to sacrifice for the nation citing those youths who are currently defending the nation’s integrity in the war against the terrorist sect Boko Haram in the Far North Region.

At that age, they should also have a say in choosing their leaders. As concerns election management structures like ELECAM and the Constitutional Council which is not yet in place, the UPC believes their independence and neutrality is of utmost importance for the political evolution of Cameroon.

The UPC party also stresses on the need for a consensus and national dialogue by the different political actors of the country to avert a possible anarchy and explosion as the tussle for power wages on. The threat on Cameroon’s sovereignty, hardship and upcoming elections, the UPC pointed out in their 68th anniversary declaration, could trigger anarchy.

Thus, national dialogue and reconciliation is the way out according to the UPC. The party’s officials have also embarked on the reorganisation of grassroots structures in a bid to give it a new impetus from the base.