Adherence to Commonwealth core values: Cameroon should walk the talk.

The theme reflects the Commonwealth's commitment to building a future where all citizens can live in safe, equitable, and peaceful societies in the diversity and unity of the Commonwealth. 

In launching the activities, the minister reaffirmed Cameroon’s commitment to adhere to the core values of the Commonwealth.

He reiterated that this year's theme conveys the unwavering commitment to the fundamental principles of family, peace, and unity. 

Mbayu said it further underlines the importance of strong and resilient communities that support and empower their members and enabling meaningful progress.

“This year's theme encapsulates the strength of Commonwealth family, a network of nations working together to uplift all citizens and build a future defined by opportunity and resilience,” Mbayu added.

This year's edition, he added, "offers Cameroon the opportunity to extoll the enduring principle of unity, peace and fraternity, and highlights the numerous dividends that Cameroon has remitted since it became a member of the Commonwealth in November 1995”. 

“It is important for us to continue exhibiting the hallmarks of our three decades membership through a captivating illustration of our engagement with the organisation. It is with this in perspective that this year should offer us a platform for engagement between and amongst stakeholders in demonstration of our unwavering adherence to the Commonwealth virtues,” he stressed.

One, if not the preponderant value, of the Commonwealth, is democracy. 

The Southern Cameroons National Council, SCNC activists, were opposed to Cameroon's admission to the gentleman's club on grounds that the level of democratisation in the country was not sufficient.

But there were those who argued that by joining the group, Cameroon would eventually emulate others in the club. Headlines like "Cameroon joins Commonwealth through the backdoor", announced its entry into the gentlemen's club.

In efforts to make Cameroon live up to the expectation of members, the Commonwealth supported the setting up, in 2006, of Elections Cameroon, ELECAM, to which it continues to provide assistance.

The Commonwealth also offered advice in crafting the Cameroon Criminal Procedure Code, which is based mainly on the Anglo-Saxon legal tradition.

The Commonwealth has also sent teams to assess the integrity of elections and has recommended the review of the Electoral Code, in line with international best practices.

For instance, observer missions have recommended the reduction of voting age to 18, which is the standard in all Commonwealth countries; but Yaounde continues to stick to 20, thus disenfranchising the youth. 

There has also been calls for limitation in Presidential term, but Cameroon holds the record of longest-serving Head of State in the Commonwealth, with over four decades in power and still counting!

The conflict in the North West and South West Regions still lingers on, even after the visit of Commonwealth scribe, Hon Patricia Scotland, in November 2019. 

In a statement after the visit, she said the Commonwealth "...look forward to engaging with President Paul Biya and other stakeholders on the progress that is being made in addressing the root causes of the conflict, and how we can lend our collective support in promoting lasting peace in the country”.

The root causes of the conflict remain unsettled. As the October Presidential election draws near, the crisis in the two Regions has not ended. 

There is still insecurity and thousands of refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, of the two Regions. 

It was because of the two r

Regions that Cameroon qualified to join the Commonwealth.

There is no question that the country has been an active member of the group, especially in attending meetings. It is also an active participant in the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, which awards over 800 scholarships and fellowships for post-graduate study and professional development.

Unfortunately, Cameroon is not anywhere living by the values of the Commonwealth. This why hate speech, xenophobic attacks, keeping voting age from 20 and reviewing laws that limit those who can run for political office with a provision to have representation in Councils, National Assembly or Senate, are miles away from being addressed.

As Minister Mbayu said on Monday, "this year should offer us a platform for engagement between and amongst stakeholders in demonstration of our unwavering adherence to the Commonwealth virtues”.

We, at The Guardian Post, are challenging Yaounde to walk the talk. 

There is no gainsaying the fact that Cameroon can only sincerely live by those values by reviewing the Electoral Code; in line with the various recommendations of the Commonwealth election observers. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3383 of Wednesday March 05, 2025