Mending a broken Manyu: Peace, Unity, Reconciliation...
Keep the history.
Distribute the blame as you see fit.
The evidence stares blankly in the faces of all Manyu people: a fragmented lot.
Case in point, MECA-USA Inc. and MECA-USA. As recently as 2009, these two organizations functioned as one with rival camps based on reasons as deep rooted as family feuds/rivalries and as frivolous as "girlfrined, boyfriend" to quote a "respectable" member of this community.
I intervene in this manner because I have no influence over any Manyu person but myself. I hold no personal grievances with ANYONE. I have disagreed with EVERYONE at some point in my life and EVERYONE has disagreed with me too in the course of my over two-score existence.
I came into the Manyu community in the USA about 10 years ago. I immediately felt at home. In 2005, I suffered an election loss when I campaigned alongside Dr. Besong as he ran for the Chairmanship. We lost and we all stayed in the association. Two years later, I campaigned with Dr. Peter Ako and Dr. Besong as his vice. We won. In 2007, I also became the President of MECA-DC, the largest MECA-USA chapter.
In July 2009, MECA-DC hosted the MECA-USA convention. After the convention (that ended in a walkout by a faction) MECA-USA split into two. Similar dynamics played out at chapter levels and even at Sub divisional meetings, but I will not dwell on those.
My positions:
2009: I didn't really think it was a problem that the other faction moved out. It was a relief not to fight with them again over every single issue. Let's fix our side and not worry about them. Later, I thought they will come back. I was wrong.
2010: I heard about talks to unite the MECAs and MECA-DC metro groups. I thought the bitterness was still too strong and made my sentiments known to all who asked me. There will come a time when we will need each other and will not feel so hostile towards one another I thought.
2011: Dr. Besong became chairman of MECA-USA. I was his vice. In our pitch for the job, I declared in Chicago that reconciliation with the other MECA-USA will be a personal focus and if necessary, I will use my office as Vice Chair to pursue this. Voting for me manes the electorate understands that such a likelihood (reconciliation) is an active agenda item.
2011-2012: I was not part of any official attempts at reconciliation. I spent a lot of time, alongside Dr. Besong pursuing a lawsuit against some members of the other MECA-USA. It would smack of hypocrisy for me to engage in such a process. It really disturbed me to see the amount of money that we spent in the lawsuit and I felt completely really bad that I did not use everything within my power to stop this. To make things crystal clear, I was a part of this lawsuit. It was a mistake and I take full responsibility for it.
I also resisted reconciliation talks prior to 2013 because we had projects that could have been disrupted. I somehow thought that when the other MECA-USA members will see what we are doing, they will join us and we will have one organization. Yes, I know, it is plain naivete.
2013: Recent events which I will not delve into, convinced me that there is NO PEACE in ANY Manyu community. Peace is defined by the MECA context as the absence of disagreement, or at least the type that causes deep resentment. There will NEVER be peace as so defined.
In July, 2013, In Georgia, a motion to actively pursue unity with the other MECA-USA was tabled and after a debate, it passed. Mr. Takim Peter was charged with making this happen. Meanwhile, there was a call for unity from Mrs. Meg Takor in Delaware. Two teams were formed on either side.
After several meetings, the negotiating teams arrived at the view that a joint communique, informing both sides of the progress of their negotiations will be necessary. They thus agreed on a one page communique:
Distribute the blame as you see fit.
The evidence stares blankly in the faces of all Manyu people: a fragmented lot.
Case in point, MECA-USA Inc. and MECA-USA. As recently as 2009, these two organizations functioned as one with rival camps based on reasons as deep rooted as family feuds/rivalries and as frivolous as "girlfrined, boyfriend" to quote a "respectable" member of this community.
I intervene in this manner because I have no influence over any Manyu person but myself. I hold no personal grievances with ANYONE. I have disagreed with EVERYONE at some point in my life and EVERYONE has disagreed with me too in the course of my over two-score existence.
I came into the Manyu community in the USA about 10 years ago. I immediately felt at home. In 2005, I suffered an election loss when I campaigned alongside Dr. Besong as he ran for the Chairmanship. We lost and we all stayed in the association. Two years later, I campaigned with Dr. Peter Ako and Dr. Besong as his vice. We won. In 2007, I also became the President of MECA-DC, the largest MECA-USA chapter.
In July 2009, MECA-DC hosted the MECA-USA convention. After the convention (that ended in a walkout by a faction) MECA-USA split into two. Similar dynamics played out at chapter levels and even at Sub divisional meetings, but I will not dwell on those.
My positions:
2009: I didn't really think it was a problem that the other faction moved out. It was a relief not to fight with them again over every single issue. Let's fix our side and not worry about them. Later, I thought they will come back. I was wrong.
2010: I heard about talks to unite the MECAs and MECA-DC metro groups. I thought the bitterness was still too strong and made my sentiments known to all who asked me. There will come a time when we will need each other and will not feel so hostile towards one another I thought.
2011: Dr. Besong became chairman of MECA-USA. I was his vice. In our pitch for the job, I declared in Chicago that reconciliation with the other MECA-USA will be a personal focus and if necessary, I will use my office as Vice Chair to pursue this. Voting for me manes the electorate understands that such a likelihood (reconciliation) is an active agenda item.
2011-2012: I was not part of any official attempts at reconciliation. I spent a lot of time, alongside Dr. Besong pursuing a lawsuit against some members of the other MECA-USA. It would smack of hypocrisy for me to engage in such a process. It really disturbed me to see the amount of money that we spent in the lawsuit and I felt completely really bad that I did not use everything within my power to stop this. To make things crystal clear, I was a part of this lawsuit. It was a mistake and I take full responsibility for it.
I also resisted reconciliation talks prior to 2013 because we had projects that could have been disrupted. I somehow thought that when the other MECA-USA members will see what we are doing, they will join us and we will have one organization. Yes, I know, it is plain naivete.
2013: Recent events which I will not delve into, convinced me that there is NO PEACE in ANY Manyu community. Peace is defined by the MECA context as the absence of disagreement, or at least the type that causes deep resentment. There will NEVER be peace as so defined.
In July, 2013, In Georgia, a motion to actively pursue unity with the other MECA-USA was tabled and after a debate, it passed. Mr. Takim Peter was charged with making this happen. Meanwhile, there was a call for unity from Mrs. Meg Takor in Delaware. Two teams were formed on either side.
After several meetings, the negotiating teams arrived at the view that a joint communique, informing both sides of the progress of their negotiations will be necessary. They thus agreed on a one page communique:
Peace Committee Communique
02/01/2014
During the July 2013 conventions of the two MECA USA factions held in Atlanta and Washington DC respectively, both General Assemblies unanimously voted to pursue peace and unity amongst the Manyu elements in the United States and reunite MECA USA. The leaders of the Council of Chiefs and the Chairman of the Board of Directors were empowered and mandated to engage in an effective peace and unity process. Consequently, the Coordinator of the Council of Chiefs and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of both organizations have been meeting behind closed doors to iron out some differences and set up appropriate modalities for the peace and reunification process before putting in place an enlarge committee to engage the entire community. We are putting out this joint communiqué as notification to the community with the intent that members can contribute and give their input to the success of this process. Although, and for effective management and convenience some members of the community will be called upon to serve in committees, it an open and transparent process that all and every member of the community is invited to be an effective and positive part of the process. Please feel free to call either Chief Pater Takim and/or Chairman Bedolf Ebai. Wishing all the best for the New Year.
Sincerely
Peter Takim
Coordinator Council of Chiefs, MECA USA, Inc
Bedolf Ebai
Chairman Board of Directors
MECA USA
They thus agreed on a one page communique: I heard of this communique only 1 month after it was drafted and only one month after the other MECA-USA had known about it. I felt it was disrespectful of us the leaders not to inform the people who vote for us, contribute their money for us to run the association and carry out projects not to be informed of something that concerns them and who specifically, in this case, trusted us to do what they asked us to do.
I intervened (and I am using "I" at this present moment because it seems unpopular what I did) because someone had to step in and move this process forward as it was evidently stalling. After numerous requests and several private conversations/lobbying to inform our community of where we were in the process, I decided to publish the communique to 1. inform, 2. jolt the reconciliation talks. I understand this caused a lot of anguish and harm to a lot of people. Can this reader go back and read that communique again to see how harmful it is? In my conversations with several people, not ONE has pondered over why I had to do it and not whoever they thought should have done it.
I have participated in several phone conversations and agreed with most, disagreed with a few on how to proceed. The only thing I have requested in this process is a conversation: only a conversation where the leaders decide on how to pursue these talks.
Here's what's at stake:
A unique opportunity:
In the peace talks, there was a proposal for a joint convention in DC. Similar talks for a unity convention in MA failed last year. The leader of the other MECA-USA-a wonderful, level headed and charismatic leader whom I have grown to appreciate over the numerous conversations we've had- and some members of our MECA-USA have had conversations that brought the need for a joint convention in the DC metro area in focus.
What is a joint convention:
It is two associations holding a meeting on the same venue with a view to knowing and warming up to one another. It is stems out of the wisdom that physical interaction can create a momentum that can push us forward and eventually unite our divided MECA community. During this convention, we will set the basics and entrust teams that will meet on defined dates to discuss our differences and create a united organization. The teams will among other things agree on a name to adopt, define leadership, how conventions will be hosted, constitution, where the next "unity" convention will be held, etc. Meanwhile, the current structure and leadership of both associations remains the same, although they will be called to work with the teams to facilitate the amalgamation process.
What a joint convention is not:
A debate forum (too early),
A dissolution of both MECAs
A takeover by an interim leadership
The urgency looms. I am not fooled by the fact that all is seemingly well. If anything, the undercurrents of the efforts that I am putting in to unite this community tells me that there is need to tread softly, but there is need to tread all the same. The resistance and name calling that will come out of this process reminds me of how almost every good thing in history has started: a group of small committed people and stiff resistance. I am an absolute believer in the unity of both MECAs.
Our future strength depends on this. There are MECAs in Ohio, Minnesota, DC, and other areas that we could gain. These people bring a tremendous force into the organisation. They have talent, they have resources, they have commitment and they are Manyu people.
Our children who all of a sudden have been severed from friendships that they enjoyed seasonally with other Manyu children from the other side are watching us. They see us as their heroes. They listen in on all our conversations and absorb our unfounded prejudices. Do we want them to live as fragmented as we have been living?
Our division has ended up pitting brother against brother and cousins against cousins. Is that a good thing?
What EXACTLY are we afraid of? To be insulted by other Manyu people? Is this a NEW thing, will it stop because we are divided, has it?
Sisters and brother, take your head out of the sand and face the facts.
If by actively using my influence and maybe office to pursue reconciliation with other Manyu children with whom I have some difference in opinions is treachery, treason, and qualifies me for labeling as a sellout, I am guilty. I will not back down mind you, I will double down. I won't quit, I don't give up easily.
Let's have a conversation.
May Manyu thrive.
I intervened (and I am using "I" at this present moment because it seems unpopular what I did) because someone had to step in and move this process forward as it was evidently stalling. After numerous requests and several private conversations/lobbying to inform our community of where we were in the process, I decided to publish the communique to 1. inform, 2. jolt the reconciliation talks. I understand this caused a lot of anguish and harm to a lot of people. Can this reader go back and read that communique again to see how harmful it is? In my conversations with several people, not ONE has pondered over why I had to do it and not whoever they thought should have done it.
I have participated in several phone conversations and agreed with most, disagreed with a few on how to proceed. The only thing I have requested in this process is a conversation: only a conversation where the leaders decide on how to pursue these talks.
Here's what's at stake:
A unique opportunity:
In the peace talks, there was a proposal for a joint convention in DC. Similar talks for a unity convention in MA failed last year. The leader of the other MECA-USA-a wonderful, level headed and charismatic leader whom I have grown to appreciate over the numerous conversations we've had- and some members of our MECA-USA have had conversations that brought the need for a joint convention in the DC metro area in focus.
What is a joint convention:
It is two associations holding a meeting on the same venue with a view to knowing and warming up to one another. It is stems out of the wisdom that physical interaction can create a momentum that can push us forward and eventually unite our divided MECA community. During this convention, we will set the basics and entrust teams that will meet on defined dates to discuss our differences and create a united organization. The teams will among other things agree on a name to adopt, define leadership, how conventions will be hosted, constitution, where the next "unity" convention will be held, etc. Meanwhile, the current structure and leadership of both associations remains the same, although they will be called to work with the teams to facilitate the amalgamation process.
What a joint convention is not:
A debate forum (too early),
A dissolution of both MECAs
A takeover by an interim leadership
The urgency looms. I am not fooled by the fact that all is seemingly well. If anything, the undercurrents of the efforts that I am putting in to unite this community tells me that there is need to tread softly, but there is need to tread all the same. The resistance and name calling that will come out of this process reminds me of how almost every good thing in history has started: a group of small committed people and stiff resistance. I am an absolute believer in the unity of both MECAs.
Our future strength depends on this. There are MECAs in Ohio, Minnesota, DC, and other areas that we could gain. These people bring a tremendous force into the organisation. They have talent, they have resources, they have commitment and they are Manyu people.
Our children who all of a sudden have been severed from friendships that they enjoyed seasonally with other Manyu children from the other side are watching us. They see us as their heroes. They listen in on all our conversations and absorb our unfounded prejudices. Do we want them to live as fragmented as we have been living?
Our division has ended up pitting brother against brother and cousins against cousins. Is that a good thing?
What EXACTLY are we afraid of? To be insulted by other Manyu people? Is this a NEW thing, will it stop because we are divided, has it?
Sisters and brother, take your head out of the sand and face the facts.
If by actively using my influence and maybe office to pursue reconciliation with other Manyu children with whom I have some difference in opinions is treachery, treason, and qualifies me for labeling as a sellout, I am guilty. I will not back down mind you, I will double down. I won't quit, I don't give up easily.
Let's have a conversation.
May Manyu thrive.
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