Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Paul Reinhard Wandji
Published on 2024-03-04 16:21:00
Why the current crisis of national unity? Why this strong resurgence of identity retreats and communal irredentisms?
The search for and production of answers to these essential questions remain very unsatisfactory within our current public space. Most attempts at explanation either remain tinged with identity subjectivity, limited by an analysis grid imbued with idealism, or very far from the deep socio-political realities of society.
In reality, the problem is deeper than one can imagine. The spasms and upheavals working through the country and characterizing the current public discourse are indicative of a profound crisis of national unity. The foundations of this crisis are of historical, institutional, and political essence. The fevers to which the State is subjected are simply the consequence of the persistence of values and realities of our colonial history.
The immense imbalances stemming from the colonial order that is still in force within the institutional and political apparatus of the State, which make it a rent-seeking opportunity for some, are producing an increasingly negative resonance within society in general. In a universe also marked by a colonial essence structural austerity, it is not surprising that a certain entropy sets in. In such a context, the instinct for survival prevails and pushes everyone into a “Save yourself if you can” movement. At the same time, the colonial dynamics of the “party-State” system at the root of all this chaos freeze society in a characterized powerlessness.
The barbarization of public speech and hatred of the other intensify without the leaders being able to stop this infernal spiral of tribal instincts. More than ever, it is imperative to rebuild the old institutional and political apparatus of the State. It is imperative to dismantle the neocolonial party-State system. It is urgent to rebuild the State on more inclusive, equitable, and truly democratic bases. Society is sick because it thirsts for justice, rectitude, and freedom. Therefore, the deconstruction of the colonial structure of the State is an unavoidable prerequisite.
Other ingredients of political engineering will certainly need to be mobilized as well. In this regard, all linguistic, cultural, and political tools that can promote republican consciousness and national unity should be ardently developed. But beyond these tools and once again, the Refoundation of the institutional and political edifice of the State in a more just and balanced logic is the essential active principle of the therapy to be implemented without delay. A government of Transition and national unity is therefore essential to achieve this noble purpose.
The above proposal was conceived as a preventive measure because we do not have the right to wait for our country to be subjected to critical extremes before considering real solutions. Let’s put the country in a safe place now! God bless Cameroon!
Dr. Olivier BILE
Read the original article(French) on Journal du Cameroun
