Hypocrisy at Yaounde La Fracophonie conference.

They are: "The OIF (International Organisation of La Fracophonie) facing the recurring ruptures of democracy in the French-speaking area", and "Good governance: Guarantee of political, economic and cultural stability for French-speaking citizens".

True to the two themes, there has been a yawning crack in the democratisation process in French-speaking African countries, demonstrated in military takeovers and the longest-serving presidents.

The Guardian Post congratulates the organisers for conceding that democracy is failing. Good governance is also crumbling. The scary diseases were well diagnosed.

Speaking for President Biya, the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute, said good governance, which includes impartiality and sincere leadership, is at the heart of social coherence, democratic growth and economic prosperity and should be treated as such by all parties involved for the demands of citizens to be met.

He encouraged delegates to push for concerted efforts to be made at the level of states and internationally to ensure all the quests for good governance are all-inclusive and engaging to ensure states and citizens unite in the efforts towards attaining the targeted goal of continuous growth among countries. 

"Good governance requires a state of law, a just and equitable administration, transparency and impartiality of leaders and authorities. It falls among the indispensable requirements needed for the stability of our countries, social cohesion and the wellbeing of the population. It places a good adaptable solution with the aim of permitting each society to find a management pattern that is workable for its society," Dion Ngute said. 

Excellent analysis! But does Cameroon practice impartiality when rallies of opposition parties are often proscribed, with flimsy excuses, yet, those of the ruling party are not treaded in the same manner? 

Is there fair play when the electoral law is said to favour the ruling party and begging for a revision?

On the issue of dialogue, President Biya's representative at last weekend's La Francophonie, taking the brutal conflict in the North West and South West Regions as a case study, said the government of Cameroon prioritises dialogue in the resolution of conflicts and calls for similar efforts within the La Francophonie bloc to ensure peace reigns nationally and inter- nationally.

The Canadian delegation, whose country had offered to mediate a dialogue to end the seven-year conflict but was spurned by Yaounde, should be having had a good laugh.

PM Dion Ngute was on point that "…good governance is at the heart of the changes we need".

But how can that change for good governance come, when the pivot instrument to fight corruption, which is declaration of assets, is not being implemented in Cameroon, a country that has on three occasions been rated by Transparency International as the most corrupt?

The Head of Government said Cameroon, as a country, is privileged to be part of the La Francophonie bloc and has enjoyed being in the bloc, since effectively joining the group in 1991. He said Yaounde is fully committed to continue working with the bloc to maintain a win-win relationship.

Truly democracy and good governance are crashing to the nadir in Francophone Africa, just like the economy. But no mention was made of dumping the Franc CFA, which has been criticised for its appalling impact on the economy of the 14 members, all in Africa.

If anything positivity came out of the La Fracophonie conference, it was from the Luxembourg Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Jean Asselborn, who spoke truth to the ministers to transmit to their Heads of State.

Minister Asselborn began his intervention by noting that even though Francophone countries were on a path of progressive democratisation, over the last 20 to 30 years, these past achievements are now openly questioned. 

“The rise of populism, polycrises, the loss of confidence of fellow citizens in their institutions, instability and regional wars lead almost everywhere to protest movements, and sometimes even to coups against established democracy,” he noted.

In that context, Minister Asselborn declared: "Just like the deep roots, the answers to them are complex. Simply calling for the restoration of democratic order is not enough or no longer enough. Sanctions and sever all links are often poorly perceived. The manipulation of our population through disinformation, both internal and especially external, the impoverishment of many fellow citizens and the increase in inequalities, the interference of third parties, as well as terrorism, are all factors that contribute to the current situation of fragility, a situation to which we nevertheless must respond".

How will Cameroon and other La Francophonie countries respond to that?

He provided the answer to his question: “Without democratic governance, without the rule of law, without the empowerment of individuals and particularly women, there can be no long-term economic prosperity and political stability...we must also avoid any type of double standards and let me be clear: any war, any conflict, any danger to human lives and our values is to be condemned...". 

If Cameroon and other Francophone countries cannot practice what they preach in regards to the rule of law, impartiality and equal opportunities; which all gyrate on good governance, then it is pure hypocrisy to the core. 

The Guardian Post hopes member countries take it in good faith and do what they preach, not double standards in governance.