Civil society actor, Atemnkeng Peter, has sharply criticized the recent visit of Volker Türk, the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights, to Cameroon, labeling it a gimmick orchestrated by the regime in power.
He argued that the visit was not intended to bring about the much-needed political change in Cameroon.
“That visit only benefits the government of Mr Paul Biya who likes to play to the gallery instead of addressing the political, economic, and social ills which haunted this country for decades,” Atemnkeng said.
He added: “That visit was only one gimmick the regime in Yaounde organized in order to upstage itself and maintain its stranglehold on Power.”
Expressing the frustrations of many, Atemnkeng reminded citizens that their “collective destiny lies only in our hands.”
“We are all fed up with this Biya system and want to see it replaced with a more credible system which respects the principles of constitutional democracy,” he added.
He urged Cameroonians who are clamoring for change to stand firm with the opposition by massively registering to vote and defending their votes.
A ‘Weak’ Opposition
However, Mr. Atemkeng also criticized the opposition as “very weak” and “inefficient.”
He rated their interaction with the UN rights chief as poor, stating, “The opposition is allowing itself to be fooled into thinking that this government invited the UN Commissioner for Human Rights for the benefit of the opposition or the good of Cameroon.”
He went on: “That invitation was only meant to manipulate the international community and use that as a leverage to keep citizens marginalized.
“The government was using that visit to legitimize its plans of making it impossible for popular candidates to take part in the forthcoming elections.”
Accusing both the opposition and the ruling party of being “bedfellows” who have “ostracized” the people, he advised the opposition to strategize for the common good of Cameroonians.
“Whatever alliances are formed,the opposition consisting of political parties,leading opinion voices,and the civil society need to regularly discuss developments in the political life of the country,take a common stand and communicate to the people,” he advised.
Directing his criticism towards the UN rights chief, Mr. Atemkeng opined that the UN and its organs are ineffective in helping oppressed people.
He also noted that the good intentions of the UN rights chief could be exploited by the regime, and called on the international community to distance themselves from the Biya regime to enable Cameroonians to obtain justice.
