Cameroon like many African countries may not have yet been hit hard by the Coronavirus like in Europe and America, but one can’t turn a blind eye to the threat this monstrous disease might bring in the days ahead. No war in recent times has killed humans this much like the Covid_19, not even the Al Shabab Fighters, ISIS, Boko Haram nor any rebel group.
What has kept mankind going at this point that seems like an Armageddon, is Hope from their leaders in containing the virus.
Many world leaders like Boris Johnson of Britain, Donald Trump of the U.S, Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa amongst many others have often come out publicly to encourage their People and show their leadership grips in dishing out preventive Measures toward the fight. Infact, that of Ghana is said to be on all media platforms every week to account for any progress in the Coronavirus fight.
It is for this reason that, Cameroon with higher cases than Nigeria, the most populous African state would expect that her leader shows some signs of respect and love towards them in such times of collective distress.
However, those in this line of thinking are failing in mind, as President Paul Biya, 86, has maintained his usual silence even in the heart of the Coronavirus. He has not been seen addressing the public for long, since his end of year speech on December 31st, 2019. This has created an atmosphere of fear, tension, uncertainty and polemics amongst different classes, ideas, Political parties and concerned individuals.
It is However not the first-time rumour of his dead is circulating this wild especially with the coming of the social media. This other case is hitting the bell because of the Covid_19 Pandemic. Even after announcing through the Prime Minister that he has donated a whopping One Billion frs to kick start the Relief Fund for the virus, these words are still falling on deaf ears.
Maurice Kamto, an Opposition leader had threatened to ascend the presidency is Mr. Biya doesn’t show sign of life. A top Official the SDF, another Opposition party though disappointed as usual says, President Biya’s attitude of “Provocative” silence is not a surprise to him and Cameroonians.
Meanwhile, some members of the ruling party, CPDM, have been taking turns in defending the silence of their “National Champion”, President Paul Biya.
In an exclusive with this reporter, CPDM member in Yaoundé, Barrister at Law, Kameni John Sichui, says there is wisdom in the President’s quietness. He adds;
“The silence has called on public sympathy and Love from the people of Cameroon who are missing the Father of the Nation. It has reinvigorated and reawaken that trust the people have whenever the President Speaks. They are expecting his reassuring words as usual”.
The learned Barrister like many other Cameroonians also thinks that the silence is a deliberate means to give a voice to the Prime Minister who is of Anglophone Origin, supposedly being marginalized.
As Cameroonians of different walks of life, file and ranks, go about their business as usual, they are also impatiently awaiting words of hope from their leader. Little wonder a taxi driver took to the street of Douala, Cameroon’s economic capital, in a solo protest Brandishing a placard which questions the whereabout of his President, Paul Biya.
However, it will be easy enough to detect and put to shame Rumour of the President’s demise in about a month and a week’s time, when he comes out publicly to officiate activities of the National Day, May 20th, 2020.
This notwithstanding, some Political opponents of the tenacious president have started speculating that, he might use the Covid_19 Social Distancing option to abstain the event, afterall, “Impossible n’est pas Cameroonaise”.
Member of Parliament and leader of the PCRN Political party, Cabral Libii had already dropped the option of Social Distancing at the ceremonial Ground. Fears now loom, as if to say, if the President wishes to be represented at the event, Cameroonians will have to wait longer, maybe till when fate till the TRUTH.
