EDITORIAL-Back to the wall

Written by The Standard Tribune

Tuesday, 16 March 2010 14:54

The Governing Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement is trying to repair itself. Plagued by attacks from within and without, authorities of the party are calling on members to be more involved and steadfast in their support, especially for the national chairman President Paul Biya. The campaign for the registration of old members and the recruitment of new ones being undertaken by the secretary-general Emmanuel Rene Sadi in parts of the Centre region (page 4) is the most aggressive since the creation of the party in 1985. For the first time in 25 years, the CPDM is now also preaching power to the people.

The recruitment campaign is plausible and could lead to a completely new outlook for the ruling party. But it remains open to doubt that the CPDM can really divulge power to the grassroots? Since its creation, the party ran like an élite group, completely out of touch with its base. The situation prevailed because the CPDM felt it did not need people-power to stay in control. Things were run from Yaounde and top government functionaries turned to Hollywood crowds to make rallies look like rallies. With the civil service presented to many as an extension of the CPDM, the party relied on a numerical strength obtained through sheer blackmail. This, perhaps more than anything else, helped it stay alive over the years. In the sub-conscience of the CPDM, nothing has change.

But in the real world, a lot has. The CPDM is experiencing the emergence of new centres of power away from the core. Within some of its most reliable support bases, there is a growing opposition to the party leadership. It is now understood within the party that not everyone wants Mr Biya at the helm of the CPDM and the state beyond 2011. The outings being observed at the moment, therefore look more like the actions of one in a tight corner, ready to promise anything to get some relief.