Imhotep: The Collective African Blog

Obama's Humble Shoes

By Samira Edi

The time-honoured message is etched on the sole
Like a metaphor— an understatement of a rare gem’s soul
Just half of his story which reflects our very own lives
That from adversity, a patient phoenix soars and thrives

It is the seal of greatness encased in meekness and modesty
They bespeak the spirit that underscores his great personality
The logo of a man of unblemished integrity
Here’s the insignia of one who knows his priority

Systemic Change in Cameroon: What Role for the Diaspora?

By Samira Edi

When it comes to unconstitutional misbehavior, Biya is in good company. Our protestations not withstanding, the government is a deaf mute. The protestations of the people count for nothing, especially when the international community backed by the western media does not give it tannoy support. Biya is following the footsteps of the Omar Bongos, the Sasso Nguessos, the Obasanjos,  the Kibakis, the Mugabes, the Obiang Nguemas of Africa... disreputable zoo community of dictators who cling to power!

What Future for South Africa after Jacob Zuma's Victory?

By Samira Edi

Interestingly, today is the  day when Zuma will be sworn in as the new ANC Big Chief. Coincidentally, reports are coming out that the South African prosecutors have enough evidence to charge him for corruption. When it comes to the "C" word, there is no compromise in my view, as Africa is the Augean Stables that it is today, no thanks to the traditional gene pool of dishonest politicians who have made this scourge their modus operandi - and thus a badge of "black empowerment." In this dance, Zuma seems to be the Prima Donna twinkle toes and master of impropriety!

Alone In My house (A Poem)

Samira Edi

"It is an edifice of perfection, your villa of gold
An architectural splendor in luxury," I'm told.
Countless hours of hard labor and bitter disdain
Have gone into building my husband's domain

Colossal, ugly and aloof; to me it is plain!!
In a neighborhood so poor; people are dying in pain
Alone on our balcony, I look out yonder in shame
This monument is fraud is a stain to my name

Higher in office, my belovèd had grown
But never an honest day's work he had ever known
Fearlessly, he emptied state coffers with impunity
To build our house of shame, he had government immunity

Weep not for him, no, you merciful at heart
In grief, he must languish in jail for his part
The New Power of The Day has found good reason
To keep my rich husband forever in prison.

Revisiting President Biya's "France 24" Interview

Samira Edi

Click here to view Biya's interview with France 24 (English version)

Here is President Paul Biya literarily rising from the grave, 17 years after he gave his last unscripted interview to Yves Mouroussi of Radio Monte-Carlo. Even though in his characteristic enigma, he answers only the questions he wants to answer and ignores the rest, let us be thankful for small mercies.

Thanks to the Internet living up to its reputation as the most democratic medium for the dissemination of information, many Cameroonians are able to peek into the recesses of their enigmatic leader's mindset for the first time.

Book Review: "Dance of Scorpions" by Lloney Monono

A Review by Samira Edi

Lloney E. Monono. Dance of Scorpions. September 2007 (Available on lulu.com and amazon.com)

I’ve just been reading my autographed copy of The Dance of Scorpions, an anthology of poetry written by Lloney Eyole Monono, a man I am proud to call my friend. What a pleasurable reading cocktail and a clandestine peep into this quiet man’s soul. 

While some of us straddlers have danced and ducked around that duty of chronicling our “memoirs” in whatever guise was befitting to our station, Lloney went ahead and “shot our fox as it were!” by releasing his second book in as many years!

I’ve giggled and guffawed over some of his hilarious little witticisms; been stimulated both emotionally and intellectually by others and I've been plain blown away by the profoundness of some. Lloney’s poetry manages to touch most fibres of our being  with the diversification of his themes.

Multiparty Elections in Cameroon... Another Charade?

By Samira Edi

Finally, the silly season is here once more. Today is Parliamentary and Municipal elections Day in Cameroon. The CPDM Government has built up the hype, trying to polish their tarnished image leading up to these elections by unnecessarily canvassing for votes, with their litany of false promises. Over in America, they showed their sleight of hand with another blah talk of scholarships. In Cameroon, they made a song and dance about the imprisonment of one of their kind- Ondo Ndong, but how many more are still walking tall and free?

Fela Kuti – Dog Eat Dog

Revisiting the Paucity of Anglophone Cameroon Writing

By Samira Edi

I am glad that Mr. Ngwane has revisited the issue of the paucity of Anglophone Cameroon writing in his interview with African Writing magazine - the problems facing the writer in Cameroon are legion. Not least is the fact that the region does not even have bookshops worthy of the name. Undoubtedly, there is a lot of talent in Cameroon. Mr. Ngwane is in a fine position to talk about the challenges that face writers back in Cameroon. His account of the ordeal suffered at the hands of the American Embassy officials is an eloquent testimony of double standards of the Foreign Embassies. They are responsible for frustrating many gifted Cameroonians from having the required outlet to realize their full potential outside.

Cameroon’s New York Times Advertisement Supplement: An Exercise in Futility

By Samira Edi

The June 7, 2007 issue of the New York Times Magazine contained an eight-page advertisement supplement on Cameroon which was allegedly cost the Cameroonian taxpayer $250,000 (About 120 million FCFA).

This is another exercise in futility or are we to say Cameroon is being preened and pimped about for the Bohemian Westerner? Have we been bewitched in Cameroon? No matter how much they slice and dice it, the most virulent of all the viruses killing the country is corruption.

Cameroonians In UK Say Goodbye to Dr. Victor Pungong

By Samira Edi (Originally published in The Sun)

Saturday May 19th 2007, the shell-shocked, jetlagged, dazed, tired, grieving throng of humanity forgot their personal hype and hoopla for a day of tribute; for Victor was the real deal, and we must honor him. A rainbow of nationals trooped in from across the continents, united in collective grief, to pay their last respects to a truly unique soul; Dr Victor Pupesie Pungong. They would travel from continent Europe, Australia, Asia, Africa, America all across the UK; their hearts united in grief and disbelief over the loss of “Vicky”.

International Women's Day Tribute: Eternal Love for Mother

By Samira

Dedicated to every child in the Diaspora, to their sacrificing loving mothers

Heavy-hearted! Many thoughts of you; I’m lost for what to do
Love Eternal Epitomized, dearest mother love is you
Away from you, desperately, I miss you, like you'll never know
Deprived of cares & worries, your warning voice for my fears
Flung far from reality of comely-homely bliss with you mother
Here in the Diaspora I flounder, forced to carve out alien destiny
In hope for greener tomorrows, unfortunately home denied
I must trudge on, lost in the troop of the Generation Forgotten.

Onto Uncharted Territory: Can Africa Withstand the Chinese Unslaught?

By Samira

Chinese President Hu Jintao just wrapped up a 12-day eight-nation whirlwind tour of africa. According to Newsweek, he travelled across the continent “signing trade deals, forgiving debt, extending loans and securing rights to natural resources”.

The Chinese have certainly set the cat amongst the pigeons! In spite of their massive "genorosity" and "investments", I think it is wrong for the Chinese Government to foster diplomatic ties with African countries without any consideration for human rights and corruption. But then, China is a country notorious for its own dictatorship and lack of the respect for human rights.

Throwing Mo Good Money After Bad?

By  Samira Edi

Folks,

Here is a bizarre offering to Africa's corrupt Presidents. A Mo-tivational Prize of $5 million for good governance!! Africa's problems have been often  blamed on a cycle of corruption and poor leadership. Now One African Billionaire believes he has a novel solution to solving the continent's endless problems. Mo's Money! Mo Ibrahim Africa's richest entrepreneur is offering a 5 million dollar prize to Africa's most effective head of state. Many world leaders like Clinton and Koffi Anan are already backing the plan and have sent encouraging messages to Mr Ibrahim for his initiative.

Human Trafficking: The Ugly Side of Africans in the Diaspora

By Samira

A special report on the website of Renew America Organization shows the ugly side of African culture and of Africans in the Diaspora. The website profiles Louis Etongwe, a Cameroonian, who helped free domestic slaves within the Cameroonian community in the Washington, D.C., area. In the name of that masking hospitality and extended family relationships, many are presiding over emporiums of "slavery" and disaster.

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Germany 2006: FOOTBALL HORRORS AND unnecessary AGGRAVATION

By Samira

This is insane! I just don’t get it!

There are some of us who just want to have a normal human life. Saturday is a girl's glorious happy shopping day. After dodging flaming MEN with cartons of patriotic flags decking their cars as they thunder off crazily and tearing excitedly down the roads in patriotic fervor, I escape into my saner sanctuary for retail therapy.

France Remembers Slavery Victims?

By Samira

Last week, the news from France was supposedly a heart-warming one; the country was trying to come to terms with its history of active participation in the transatlantic slave trade. According to one report:

"France is to become the first European country to hold a national day of remembrance for the victims of slavery.[Slavery Remembrance Day] has been ordered by President Jacques Chirac, who says the stain of slavery on history must not be forgotten."

I guess we are all expected pull out our hankies and sob with joy at the thoughtfulness and humanity of the good old French...