Cameroon: A Diplomatic Corps in Disarray

By Kenneth Ndeh

The nation state of Cameroon in the last fifteen (15) years has completely abandoned its diplomatic corps. Excepting circumstances where the image of the President of the Republic alone - Paul Biya - that is, is at stake does the nation of Cameroon react; often in a knee-jerk fashion and not in a well properly thought out manner for longevity of nation building.

Within the last year or twelve months alone, the following Ambassadors have DIED abroad, during their terms of office as Ambassadors to the respective countries:

1) Ambassador of Cameroon to Russia - Andre Ngongang Ouandjie
2) Ambassador of Cameroon to Belgium - Mme Isabella Bassong
3) Ambassador of Cameron to the Vatican  -  Mr. Philippe Mataga
4) Ambassador of Cameroon to Ethiopia - Mr. Jean Hilaire Mbéa Mbéa

What a pity!

The Diplomacy of a nation, in this case Cameroon in particular CANNOT be left to the doldrums simply to the benefit of reactive tendencies, purely to shore up the image, NOT of the nation BUT that of the President!  This is the unpleasant reality that we are living.

Now, Diplomatically, Cameroon has in fact signed treaties and does have Embassies in several countries.  But then, right now, Cameroon has NO Ambassadors in over twelve, yes you read right, 10 countries for over 10 years and with the four dead Ambassadors, that number has increased to probably over fourteen(14).

These are the countries in which there is NO Ambassador:

AFRICA

1)   Nigeria
2)   Chad
3)   Gabon
4)   Central African Republic
5)   Ghana
6)   Kenya
7)   South Africa
7/8)  Ethiopia

EUROPE & "USSR"

8)  Belgium
9)  Spain
10)  Switzerland
11) Russia

AMERICAS

12)  Canada
13)  Brazil

Obviously, I probably have forgotten some.

In many cases, those abroad are horribly paid, that is if they even receive their salaries on time. I was in Europe roundabout 1992/1993 whereby Cameroonian diplomats did not receive salaries in over 9 months. The Gov't now has PPTE funds, and should use it appropriately to buoy up the image of the nation, throughout.

And then you have countries where some of our Ambassadors are Deans of their Diplomatic Corps simply because they have been there ranging from over 10, some over 15, even over 20 years.  Some have requested that they be recalled home because they are tired, sick and want to be on retirement.  But the ever lazy nature in which Cameroon, operates, they have still been left abandoned or are yet to be recycled under the normal diplomatic calendar.

The Open Agenda for an Aboriginal English Speaking Cameroonian to rule the entire nation of Cameroon in 2011 as a single country, that is, the already seceeded  East Cameroon and the agitating secessionist Southern Cameroons, i.e.  BOTH East & West Cameroon as ONE and INDIVISIBLE Country is in full effect.

The relay baton of power should necessarily, after 50 years of mangled Unification go to a CPDM, UNDP, CDU, SDF or Independent Aboriginal English Speaking Cameroonian.

Comments

[Paa Ndefru]

Dear Mr Fru Nde please stop dreaming. You too want to rule the frogs? Common, France said aint gonna happen. You think it will change with Sarkozy, who financed the genocide in Rwanda? Please join the struggle to free ourselves. That is the only honest thing.

PS When will Menduga also die in the US?

[Paa Ndefru]

In case you have not noted, there are no Southern Cameroonians or virtually none in this Camerounese Diplomatic Corpse [pun intended]. They plant their cronies everywhere there is an opportunity to steal and eat. Pa Fru Ndeh is saying Yang has not been replaced in Canada? Not even some washed out tribal grandee who has drank too much manjunga for his own good? Wow, there must be nothing left to steal in Canada.