PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION FOR PEACE AND INCLUSIVE
DEVELOPMENT THROUGH DIALOGUE IN DIVERSITY
By Hon. Martin OYONO
Introductory speech
Honourable Members of Parliament,
Members of the press,
Dear participants,
I warmly appreciate your presence in this meeting following the
invitations that I sent to you.
This initiative that I took to address the press today is a citizen’s contribution with regard to the severe crisis, as you can imagine, that is affecting two Regions in Cameroon at this end of year: the North West and South West Regions. Two Regions which present the typical history of the English speaking people and the Anglo-saxon culture.
Some of our compatriots from this part of Cameroon have exercised their legitimate right to corporatist claims, put forward by Lawyers, then, by teachers’ syndicates and lastly by University students. These grievances have been expressed through public demonstrations organized for diverse reasons for which, some were genuine and others not. Unfortunately, these demonstrations were destructive, disastrous and regrettable. The violence that ensued plunged the entire country into confusion, consternation and indignation.
Before I continue my speech, I would like to express my heartfelt condolence to the bereaved families during these unfortunate events and to the injured; I wish them a speedy recovery. I also express my sincere regrets to those who witnessed material losses. I strongly support the Forces of Law and Order who mobilized to safeguard persons and goods and reinstate peace and tranquility. I therefore urge everyone to respect laws and regulations in this regard.
I strongly condemn all atrocities committed here and there. Physical attacks, acts of torture and humiliation are unacceptable in a democracy like ours desired by His Excellency the President of the Republic and the entire nation. The desecration of the emblem, our flag; common symbolic figure which brings together our differences and represents our belonging to the same nation, is appalling and unjustifiable. The burning of public or private buildings, public or private cars, are acts of vandalism that cannot be justified by any claim.
This is an opportunity to reiterate, the abstract principles that govern Cameroon.
Our country is a Rule of Law. That is, a State governed by law and justice. This therefore excludes at all times and in all circumstances, anarchy, arbitrariness and the temptation for self justice. The use of republican justice, which is based on national laws and other international commitments, should be the rule and the only means of claiming one’s rights.
Our country, according to Section 1 (2) of the Constitution in force, that is the Constitution of 18 January 1996, is a decentralized Unitary State. Until the fundamental law is reviewed by the mechanisms envisaged for this purpose, the consolidation and improvement of unitary and decentralized aspects of our State should be a concern at all times. In
case this reality is denied or this dynamic is contested, be it at the level of the Government, administratively or through advocacy, such acts will be instantly condemned by the national community because Cameroonians are proud of their unity and envious of their togetherness.
Our country, according to Section 1 (3) of the Constitution, has adopted “English and French as the official languages of equal value”. And it is not by chance that English comes before French in the constitutional numbering order. The reversal of such constitutional precedence in practice or the premeditated or unconscious minimizing of a language for the benefit of the other, can lead to legitimate frustrations that give room to social claims.
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