AKERE MUNA’s PRIVATE SECRETARY (Richard Ewane) WRITES A INSPIRATIONAL ACCOUNT OF THE ONE YEAR HE SPENT WORKING FOR AKERE ON THE CAMPAIGN.
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About one year ago, I resigned from a job that a majority of Cameroonians living in Cameroon can only dream of: well paid, great hours, excellent benefits. All this, to participate in a political movement – non-remunerated, high-stress, non-stop. To most of my friends and family, this was (and still is) madness. If that’s the case, then may I never return to my senses, because this has been the greatest year of my life. To place this in its right context, allow me to rewind:
Three years ago, I had absolutely no interest in politics. I was convinced that, because of the rigged nature of our system, participating in this sham was nothing short of legitimizing a government that will stop at nothing to maintain itself in power. So, I carried on, worried only about my personal wellbeing and that of my immediate family; resigned to the thought that Cameroon was beyond repair. Enter Mongo Beti and his book, “Main Basse sur le Cameroun”. For those who do not know who he is, Mongo Beti is an accomplished Cameroonian writer who, through his writing, has awakened the social conscience of many generations of Cameroonians and Africans at large. I then read “Kamerun”, “Ecrits Sous Maquis and “Les Maquisards”, all books that recount the difficult trot of Cameroon towards independence and the blood that was spilled by many on our behalf – Ruben Um Nyobe; Ernest Ouandie – Osende Afana and so many more – People who were fueled by nothing more than the desire to obtain TRUE independence for Cameroon.
The fire that this lit in my soul still burns today with the intensity of a hundred suns. The mere mention of the names of those who deprived us of this true independence filled me, at first, with resentment. This resentment soon morphed into guilt. Guilt because we, all of us, are responsible for the predicament in which we find ourselves as Cameroonians. We have sat back and watched the administration and the powers behind them take more and more from us, and with every passing generation we have learned to console ourselves with the idea that “Le Cameroun C’est Le Cameroun” and “On Va Faire Comment?”.
With this fire in my core, I could no longer ignore the reality of the country in which I live. I could no longer be content in my air-conditioned office while most of my peers, just as talented and even more talented, cannot find a job to feed their families. I was haunted by Um Nyobe every single day. Why did this fight have to belong to others, when it affects all of us? I had to get involved. I NEEDED to. But how? Where would I begin? I began participating in political discussions and meeting with other young people who shared this desire for change and who were glad to see one more join the ranks. Thankfully my friend Olivia, who has been politically active for a while had the hookup! She introduced me to many young leaders and even went as far as organizing events where we would sit around and debate about the state of Cameroon and how to get out of this quagmire. Then something happened – I found out that Barrister Akere Muna, internationally recognized anti-corruption champion, would be running for office. There it was, my chance to participate. I went to see him and told him that, if he would have me, I would love to join his campaign and he wouldn’t even have to pay me. Remember how I said I resigned from my job? This was why. I had found in him a credible vessel through which I could play my part.
I mean, who better to be the next president of Cameroon, a country plagued by bad governance and corruption than a man who has spent the last 25 years fighting to eradicate these same ills around the globe? A man who spoke about the dangers of corruption when NO ONE in Cameroon talked about it or even accepted it as the reality of our nation. A man who lost 80% of his clients because, when he opened the Cameroon branch of Transparency International, refused to give into pressure and threats, and ultimately forced the Cameroonian authorities to openly admit that Cameroon has a corruption issue and put in place mechanisms to curb this ill. For decades he led this fight from the civil society. However, everything our government has done has been cosmetic at best, and the underlying rot has continued to fester. He decided to officially run for office so that he could, himself, right the ship. He is, in my view, the right person, in the right place, at the right time.
So, for a year now, I have worked with Batonnier Akere Muna as his Private Secretary, traveling with him to the most remote corners of our beautiful country to meet with fellow citizens, participating in meetings, managing crises, celebrating victories big and small, and, most importantly, soaking in what it means to lead with integrity. I joined him because his background speaks directly to the crises we face in Cameroon today – bad governance and corruption. Whether we are talking about the failing healthcare system, widespread poverty, absolute opacity in the management of natural resources, high unemployment rate, the Anglophone crisis, Boko Haram’s ability to recruit youth in the northern regions of Cameroon, all can be linked to corruption and bad governance. The mark of Akere Muna’s conviction is that he started fighting these battles long before he even considered running for office. He fought these battles at a time when there was no personal upside to this battle and, as a matter of fact, it brought him nothing but accusations of treason, the threat of repercussions and attacks on his reputation.
Here's what I can say about the man: He is the same person in public as he is in private. He refuses to make untrue statements for political expediency – He would rather say what he believes and lose votes than tell a lie to secure these votes. His word is his bond, and a few days ago he reminded me of why I made the right choice when I decided to join his campaign – He withdrew his candidacy and threw the full weight of his support behind another candidate. This, despite the enormous financial sacrifices he made and despite the time and energy he and his supporters have spent during this campaign. The truth is that my initial reaction to his decision was frustration. I know that an Akere Muna presidency would be a blessing for Cameroon and I have worked hard to see this come to fruition. My frustration quickly became admiration, because I know how difficult it was for him to make this decision. And this, my friends, is the mark of a true leader – the ability to put aside one’s personal inclinations and act in the interest of the greater good. Akere Muna said, throughout this campaign, that his interest is not in being president at all cost, even if he believes that he is best equipped to handle the crises that we face. His interest is in helping Cameroonians get a better chance at life. He knows that a divided opposition would only strengthen the current system. So, he stepped aside and asked the other candidates to do the same. Country First.
In all honesty, were I in his shoes, I don’t know that I would have had the strength to make the same choice. And that’s what it means to truly be a leader. To be able to look beyond one’s self and do what is best for others. Regardless of what happens next, I will always remember that I was privileged to work with a man who was able to show Cameroonians that people who have the strength of their convictions really do exist. I am proud to have been a part of this historic journey.
Today, we vote. I hope that those of you who can, will go out and fulfil your civic duty. I know that I will. It’s 4AM and I have been up all night, thinking about the past year and wondering how today will go. I and thousands of others will go to the polling stations today, armed with nothing but our conviction and ready to stand up for what is rightfully ours. Regardless of the outcome, we would have done our part and that history will remember that we, and particularly Akere Muna, put our country first.
Together, Towards A New Republic.
#Etoudi2018 #MunaGeneration #GenerationMuna