Cameroon: Germany Still On Road to Real Democracy - Friedrich Ebert Representative
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The Post (Buea)
INTERVIEW
25 July 2008
Posted to the web 25 July 2008
Chris Mbunwe
Contrary to beliefs held by many that Germany must have attained full democracy, the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Resident Representative for Cameroon, Central African Sub-region and Mali, Dr. Reinhold Plate, holds quite a different view.He says Germany nurtured its democracy for 90 years and Adolf Hitler pulled it down after 50 years and they had to start from scratch. To him, Cameroon's democratic growth is slow and steady.
He rates the Cameroon Advanced School of Mass Communication, ASMAC, as the best in West and Central Africa. He talked to The Post in Bamenda on July 11.
The Post: What is your appraisal of democracy in Cameroon?
Dr. Plate: You know I am a German. It will interest you to know that Germany started its democracy some 90 years ago. And Cameroon started with multiparty democracy only 18 years ago, which is very short.
Our democracy ended after 50 years because Hitler came to power and destroyed the whole democracy. So we started afresh after the Second World War and today we have got 50 years experience. If I have to compare the German history with that of Britain or France, I will say Germany is still on the way to real democracy.
We must be careful to compare Cameroon democracy because in Cameroon, you must have enough patience, since its development of democracy is growing slowly and steadily.
Why is Friedrich Ebert Stiftung interested in training SDF Shadow Cabinet Ministers?
As the Resident Representative of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, FES, for Cameroon, Central African sub-region and Mali, it is our duty to live by the standards set by the founder of the Foundation. Let me explain shortly the life of the Man Friedrich Ebert, from a poor boy to a President and his career in a political party and as a trade unionist. He brought up the idea of supporting the use of records, creating international solidarity between the workers around the world.
Then, why training Shadow Cabinet Ministers on Strategic Leadership and Management for Cameroon's Development?
This is because the people of Cameroon have the right to know what the SDF party has for them in future and to decide whether they agree with the party's programme or not.
Do you think your training will take roots, because the regime in place is quick at killing any good initiative from the opposition?
You know I have had the experience around the world, Asia, Latin America, America, Europe and other countries which shows that there is always a society and a group of people in that society with different opinions.
So, I believe also that there are people in Cameroon who are fighting for human rights, others are fighting for democracy and in democracy, everybody has the right to say what he/she wants. I believe in Cameroon, people would like to say what they want in the field of employment, in the field of social development, multiparty systems or whatever.
But why train political party officials who are not even in power or close to power?
Our Foundation is charged with socio-political formation of party members, trade union leaders, media people, women and youth leaders. We believe that if a party decides to present to us some of its officials they think can make good cabinet ministers tomorrow, we will readily offer some training. This is very important and necessary so that they understand what could be some day the function of such a cabinet in the country.
Do you foresee the SDF taking power soon?
I can't say absolutely. Cameroon has a government elected by the people and I don't see anything that can change the situation for now. But in a society which is changing all the time, everyday, you can't say what will happen next month or in a year. I think it is better to be prepared about what could come to you one day, suddenly perhaps. I think it is not up to me to say what will happen in a short while.
What is your opinion of ELECAM as a democratic tool?
I think it is the decision of the government to install ELECAM and they should do that within the time frame.
But the front line opposition party is complaining that ELECAM is not the best for free and fair elections.
If that is the cry of the SDF, I think they have the National Assembly where they can present a better proposal on how to improve on ELECAM because that is the task of the National Assembly.
How can SDF achieve this with barely 16 miserable MPs?
Relevant Links
With the 16 Parliamentarians, they should solicit support from other Parliamentarians from other political parties, why not from CPDM parliamentarians so that they form a ring in the Assembly to take some decisions which will improve on ELECAM.
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