Errance Mentale: when we believe it, we'll see it.

T hose of us born in Cameroon of "Anglo" heritage have never really belonged in the French dominated system. Our education is different, our way of thinking is different, the way we carry oursleves is different. There is a certain complacency in the francophone demeanor that just disgusts some anglophones or maybe I should say disgusts me, as much as our way of dressing is mocked by francophones . I grew up in Yaounde and thought I could blend in. It was easy when you spoke french and had friends who came from everywhere. We grew up not knwing who came from where and we were not conscious of who our parents were. My best friend, the one who cried with me when we were bullied turned out to be a Bamileke. I say turned out because I knew nothing about tribes even as a university student. It never really mattered. When I met my friends, girls or boys, it never really was a question of where they were from. I knew everyone on first name basis and that was it. The current year is 2

The election process in Washington DC was quite smooth, but the atmosphere was very intimidating. I arrived at the Chancery on Wisconsin avenue at about 9:30 AM. I was accompanied by my cousin who was voting for the first time in his life. We were stopped at the gate and asked why we were there. Once our purpose was stated and our names were verified on the electoral lists we were shepherded into the parking lot of the embassy. By habit, we immediately went to the waiting area outside the embassy for us to be called. There were at least 8 people outside: 3 gentlemen sitted on two of the 5 seats available, 2 others at the gate, the ambassador's driver, the big receptionist and a few other embassy personnel. Inside, behind the reception counter, 2 gentlemen were standing, with an ELECAM badge hanging from their necks. The ambassador was standing and watching a repeat of the latest football game of the indomitable lions on CRTV by internet connection. Some embassy staff were stand

The following message was broadcast over Cameroon radio on April 6, 1984, 17 years ago. I am happy they didn't succeed. Could things have been different today? Camerounaises, Camerounais, L’armée nationale vient de libérer le peuple camerounais de la bande à Biya, de leur tyrannie, de leur escroquerie, et de leur rapine incalculable. Oui, l’armée a décidé de mettre fin à la politique criminelle de cet individu contre l’unité nationale de notre cher pays. En effet, le Cameroun vient de vivre au cours de ces quinze derniers mois qu’a duré le régime Biya les heures les plus noires de son histoire. Son unité mise en péril, la paix interne troublée, sa prospérité économique compromise, la réputation nationale ternie. Chers compatriotes, Vous avez tous été témoins de l’horrible comédie jouée par le pouvoir défunt qui se permettait de parler de libéralisme, de démocratie, d’intégration nationale, alors que, chaque jour, son action bafouait de façon scandaleuse ces hautes valeurs.

When I first spotted him that Sunday afternoon after an almost-2-hr wait, I was first of all relieved that he had honored our invitation, and at the same time humbled by the challenges that we were going to face to rally others to see what we have seen in this man: one who has the moral and intellectual credentials to pull Cameroon out of its lethargy and complacency. I noticed that his hair was grey and he was not nearly as tall as I had imagined. People never look like they are described; neither do pictures do justice to the real image of a person. I was not the only one at the Dulles International Airport that June 26, 2011. After settling down into the program which the Ayah Paul Campaign in the USA (APCUSA) had designed, I had an opportunity to spend a few hours with Hon. Paul Ayah Abine. I had written an endorsement statement and published it for all to see that I am not “neutral” when it comes to Cameroon politics and that I believe in the courage, if such a term be permitted”