Under 24 hours to a protest by Cameroonians in Switzerland against their long-term President, Paul Biya, the Head of State and his old guard have sought all means possible to destabilise the move.
With the move for the Saturday Geneva protest gaining steam, officials and state machinery have employed threats and pleas.
In a statement regarding the planned protest, Hon Cavayé Yegue Djibril, Speaker of the National Assembly warned participants would be demonstrating lack of patriotism and commitment to fatherland.
The National Assembly, he said, “condemns such insanity and asserts that the problems of Cameroon are resolved in Cameroon and by Cameroonians”.
Just hours after Hon Cavaye’s release, a panicky Yaounde under the guise of the Parliamentary Network on Diaspora Affairs (REP-COD) held a 2-hour press conference in Yaounde to dissuade diaspora Cameroonians from protesting.
During the exchange with the press, reports say, the members of the Parliamentary Network stressed what they termed “achievements by the Head of State” to keep compatriots in the diaspora comfortable.
These efforts they explained, include the restructuring of the passport acquisition process to last just 48 hours, and the planned construction of a relaxation center for diaspora compatriots visiting their motherland.
But how did these basic necessities or obvious facilities become ‘live savers’ worth rubbing the president’s ego for?
CPDM songbirds have for ages now, canonised the president, renaming his actions ‘miracles’, so to speak.
Many are on record describing him as the lone vision bearer for the country. Despite the multiple security crises, tower-high corruption and lawlessness reigning in different sectors have been able to make them speak out the truth.
*Deja Vu diaspora discontent*
The one group of persons that has boldly risen on several occasions against the Biya regime, has been the diaspora. Notable, is the Brigade Anti Sardinade (BAS) that shot to the limelight after the 2018 Presidential election.
Till date, they have spared no efforts in protesting in different European nations whenever the president visits.
With a permit to demonstrate this coming Saturday in Geneva, they are expected to take the lead among hundreds if not thousands expected.
In addition to wanting the long serving president to desist spending time abroad, they like most diaspora protesters think it’s time for him to pass over the mantle of command.
With government antics failing to convince them, tomorrow’s protest promise fireworks.
Mimi Mefo Info
