Show Of Sincerity!

Choosing to convene the diplomatic corps to present the path covered with implementing the recommendations of the Major National Dialogue, like External Relations Minister did on October 28, 2021, was one event with multiple meanings. The problem that prompted the Yaounde gathering – raging crisis in the North West and South West Regions, was in fact a Cameroonian problem that could only be handled by Cameroonians themselves. 
Issues of bilingualism, cultural diversity and social cohesion, the reconstruction and development of conflict-affected areas, the return of refugees and displaced persons, the education and judicial system, decentralization and local development, the demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants, the role of the diaspora in the country’s development, etc. were and are still in-house concerns whose equations could only be solved within. The Yaounde Major National Dialogue was thus just a step among many others; past and future.
In effect, the September 30 to October 4, 2019 Yaounde conclave enabled sons and daughters of one country; though varied in culture and language, to converge on one spot and jointly seek ways and means of meeting the high aspirations of the people of the North West and South West Regions, but also of all the other components of the nation. A rare moment for the thousands of home-based and diaspora Cameroonians; from all walks of life, to reflect on values dear to the country like; peace, security, national unity and progress. They brainstormed all week long and suggested what could be done to bail the country out of uneasy calm borne from feelings of exclusion, maginalisation and stigmatisation. 
Taking time off and in all solemnity to outline what has changed with the Major National Dialogue and what is in view for the short, medium and long terms; was just a show of sincerity on the part of government. Perfect display of transparency not under any duress but which powerfully translates government’s determination to iron out differences and smoothen coexistence by people called by time and space to subdue what differentiates them and hold on strongly to virtues of unity in diversity that beget progress for mutual gain. Multinational and bilateral partners can advise, like they have been doing, but can’t give injunctions.    
Members of the diplomatic corps who attended yesterday’s briefing at the Ministry of External Relations now know that government has been progressively implementing the recommendations of the Major National Dialogue.  They must have as well come to terms with the fact that the recommendatio...