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Cameroon Celebrates 50 Years of Independence

   Bertha Ndoh, special advisor to the prime minister says Cameroon under
   President Biya enjoys multi-party democracy and development

   James Butty | Washington, D.C. 20 May 2010
   President of Cameroon Paul Biya

   President of Cameroon Paul Biya

   The   people   of  Cameroon  are  Thursday  celebrating  50  years  of
   independence from France and Britain.

   French-speaking  Cameroon  gained  its  independence  from  France  in
   January  1960  while the English-speaking Southern Cameroon gained its
   independence from Britain in 1961.

   The  two sides joined together in October 1961 to form the Republic of
   Cameroon.

   Bertha  Ndoh,  special  advisor to Cameroonâs prime minister on gender
   issues,   said   Thursday  marks  the  culmination  of  two  weeks  of
   Independence Day festivities.

   âFor  the  past  two  weeks,  we  have  been celebrating. We first had
   religious  programs  where all Cameroonians came together. Weâve had a
   lot  of  panel  discussions  on  independence, 50 years down the road;
   weâve  a  lot  of  dances  from all of our regions; and we also had an
   exhibition  game  of  former  (Indomitable Lions) football stars,â she
   said.

AFP Photo

   U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

   Ndoh  said six African heads of state along with former U.N. Secretary
   General  Kofi  Annan  are  in  Cameroon  to be part of Thursdayâs main
   celebrations.

   âThursday,  which  is  the  real day, thereâs going to be a march pass
   (parade),  and  we have six heads of state who have come. We also have
   the former Secretary General of the United Nations, His Excellency Mr.
   Kofi Annan is also here,â Ndoh said.

   Secretary of State Hillary Clinton congratulated Cameroonians and said
   the  United States remains committed to working with the government as
   it seeks to strengthen democracy, governance, and rule of law.

   Map of Cameroon

   Some  critics of President Paul Biyaâs 28-year rule are asking whether
   the country has got anything of substance to celebrate.

   They  say true independence should mean having free and fair elections
   and  reducing  the  level of poverty, particularly among the countryâs
   rural majority.

   Ndoh  said  Cameroon  under President Biya has met the requirements of
   multi-party  democracy,  with  a vibrant opposition and an independent
   judiciary.

   âWhen  we  talk  about  democracy,  you  know that we have multi-party
   democracy  in  Cameroon;  there  is development. A lot of schools have
   been opened; the fight against corruption which is an ongoing process,
   and of course human rights.  It is true that we still have much which
   has to be done, but when you look 50 years back, I think we are on the
   right track,â Ndoh said.

   She brushed aside main opposition leader John Fru Ndiâs criticism that
   President  Paul  Biyaâs  ruling  Cameroon Peopleâs Democratic Movement
   (CPDM) has been conducting and winning fraudulent elections.

   âYou  know,  it  is  not  only  here in Cameroon that we have problems
   concerning  elections.  But  I  think  that  Elections  Cameroon  (the
   countryâs  independent  election  body) has been put in place with the
   help  of  the Commonwealth, and we need to give the new team a chance.
   We  are  waiting  for next year where weâre going to have presidential
   election.  I  think  we  can judge them from that. Of course, you know
   that  when  it  comes  to opposition, they never say anything positive
   about the government,â Ndoh said.

   Critics said the over $9 million the country is spending for the 50^th
   independence  anniversary  festivities  could have been spent on rural
   electrification, pipe-born water, and building more health facilities.

   But  Ndoh  said  the  cost  is justified, especially for the countryâs
   50^th independence anniversary.

   âI  am  not  part  of  the organizing committee, but if people have to
   celebrate  you  have  to  spend  money,  and what better way for us to
   celebrate for 50 years,â she said.

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