Some Cameroonians have expressed their disappointment and frustration at the Head of State’s May 19 address on the eve of Cameroon’s National Day commemoration, May 20. They’ve taken to the social media shortly after the address, stating their frustration.
Some who shared their views to News Upfront, said the close to 20 minutes-address was solely on Covid-19, sidelining other issues affecting national interest.
A Cameroonian base in Bamenda by name Julien, said “Head of State didn’t talk about a higher risk than the Covid-19: the war in Northwest and Southwest Regions. The assumption and implication is that the situation is no longer a threat to National Peace.”
In the same vein, Boris, based in Buea, scorned at the President’s address highlighting that “he didn’t talk on the Anglophone crisis, how the problem is being handled even after the killings of Mayors, kidnaps and terror in NOSO (Northwest and Southwest). He did not talk about the sanctions metted on the soldiers at Ngarbuh.”
Another denizen sighingly said, “he has simply perpetuated the usual routine. He has said nothing worth the silence he has kept from the beginning of the pandemic till date. He has simply told us a few things from the many important things we have been hearing from the PM,”
Due to the CoronaVirus pandemic in the country, public manifestations to commemorate Cameroon’s 48th National Day were cancelled in respect of the barrier measure of social distancing. However, schools are expected to reopen in the next 10 days.
A Yaounde city dweller identified as Ransome bemoaned, “he didn’t talk about the fate of the pupils and students of non examination classes. Has the teaching They’ve had enough for the academic year. He didn’t talk about salary of teachers in private schools. Many principals are taking advantage of the situation”
When the untraditional National Day Speech of the President was announced earlier that day, expectation arose amongst Cameroonian, which were however, not met.
“I expected to hear something patterning to the celebration that has been cancelled, what he is doing to support Covid-19 victims and bereaved families, what he has in mind as plan to curb the spread of the virus or support those in the frontline, doctors,” said Ransome.
The commemoration of this year’s National Day was placed under the theme “United against the COVID-19 pandemic, to resolutely steer Cameroon on the of Resilience, Peace, Stability and Economic Development.”
It is Important to note that, President Paul Biya urged all Cameroonians irrespective of political, religious or social backgrounds, to get involved in the fight against CoronaVirus, and support the Special Solidarity fund created for the purpose. Health workers in the country involved in the fight against the insidious virus were congratulated and urged to keep up.
He added that, once a treatment is found, steps will be taken to put at the disposal of citizens
It is the second time in the history of the country that, 20th May public manifestations have been cancelled. The first was precipitated by the failed coup attempt of April 1984.
