Biya: Devil's Alternatives

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In Frederick Forsythe's The Devil's Alternative, the President of the United States is faced with two options, both leading to the death of people. A third option eventually saves the day.

The President of the Republic of Cameroon left Cameroon on February 2nd for Europe with his family. Nothing new here. We all know by now that Biya spends at least 90 of a possible 365 days in Europe. One of his recent trips to La Baule caused considerable stir per its cost. The interesting thing about Biya's current visit is that there is a popular uprising in Egypt as the dust is still settling on one that took place in Tunisia. It is also interesting to note that there is persistent rumor that Biya will not run for the nations topmost job, and this announcement will be the best youth day message that the President could ever give to the nation's restless youth.

Although the rumor about Biya's no-commit seems too good to be true, if it turns out to be as wished, it will be like the fictional story above: the third option that no one knew about, the flicker that will ignite the hope of the nation (yes, its that bad). So what are Biya's alternatives ?


    1. Run, win and people die. Biya will never be beaten at the polls. He has never lost an election and lives in a world where his invincibility is perennial. If he loses the elctions at the polls, there will be a plot of some sort to declare the elections void, cancel certain "irregular" votes, anything that will eventually stay him in power. The result will be people in the streets of Yaounde, Douala, Bafoussam, Bamenda, Kumba, Buea,... all demanding one thing: go, Biya, go! We will relive 2008 all over again. This time, the odds highly favor the people. Here people die, Biya loses and the People win.

    2. Run lose and suffer disgrace. If Biya is beaten at the polls against all odds, his stature as a great president will immediately be debunked as the machinations his governemnt has knit start to unfold. Biya will have to account for a lot. The worse hit will be his diehard supporters, those who have grown fat from the wealth of the land. Here, Biya loses, his followers and family lose, and the People win.
Both alternatives will end up with a victory for the People, but for Biya losing one way or the other, is inconceivable. The third option, the call to resign his position seems the most attractive for him. He goes down with dignity and may cull the sympathy of people at home and abroad. He will be remembered as the one who saved his country from a civil war, and guaranteed his party's future, that is, if he cares one bit about the CPDM.

To exit with peace of mind, Biya should advise the Party to pick an anglophone for candidate. This move will help in securing a win for the CPDM party and, maybe down the line, exoneration for him.

Comments

Anonymous said…
there is time for every thing , even the bible said it, the time have come for mubarack of egypt and he is gone so shall it be for all those that thing the presidensy is for them alone,
February 11, 2011 at 6:40 PM
Patrick Fohneng Seh said…
There is time for everything.
February 22, 2011 at 7:32 AM
Anonymous said…
The President will never leave on his own. He love power.
February 22, 2011 at 7:40 AM
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