By Ngembeni Wa Namaso.
The rule of law is a principle that suggests that all individuals and institutions are subject to, and accountable under the law, that is fairly applied and enforced. It ensures that laws are clear, publicized, and applied consistently, and that, justice is delivered impartially.
Rule of Law, to be applied in its entirety, has as its cornerstones:
1. Equality Before the Law: Everyone, regardless of status, is subject to the same laws and legal processes.
2. Legal Certainty: Laws must be clear and predictable so that individuals can understand and anticipate legal consequences of their actions.
3. Accountability: Governments; officials and institutions are held accountable under the law, and their actions must adhere to legal standards.
4. Fairness: The law should be applied consistently and without bias, ensuring fair treatment in the legal process.
5. Separation of Powers: There should be a balance among different branches of government to prevent abuse of power and ensure checks and balances.
Understanding the rule of law involves recognizing its role in maintaining order, protecting rights, and promoting justice within a society.
Caution: If you are a binary thinker: believing only in “Right, or Wrong”, and nothing in-between, then please, this article is not for you; so, read no further. But if you believe in the strength of diversity, in Cameroon – “le continent” or Africa in miniature, then read on.
There are many Nations (our ethnic groupings) in Cameroon, and this is a huge part of our strength. Unfortunately, this is misunderstood, poorly or selectively applied, and this often brings us anguish like today with the differing perspective of Junior NGOMBE and so many others.
I have had the opportunity to listen to our young son Junior NGOMBE, and the things he said left tears in my eyes. He said;
“Why is it our beloved country can spend so much resources and energy to silence its citizens, but not willing to spend the same level of resources to fix our education, health systems and infrastructure? “.
This is hardly a criminal offense. Young NGOMBE also asked;
“Why is it people in power are unwilling to accept that differences in opinion, can exists and flourish in our beloved land?”.
I am an environmentalist and have been for the past 30 years. The natural biodiversity of this territory is remarkable and so too is our diversity of Nations (our ethnic groups). With only 30 million people, our country has between 200 – 250 ethnic groups. With only 475,000 sq km in area, our country has five agroecological zones; two forest zones, a high plateau, high savannah and sudano-sahel. Across this diversity lies an enormous body of fauna and flora.
In the Korup National Park area where I come from, we have endemic species like the iconic Red Colobus Monkey (Piliocolobus preussi) found only in Cameroon. This diversity is not limited to flora, fauna, butterflies, birds, Amphibians and reptiles; but extends to its peoples, their foods, languages, dialects, dance, mannerisms, beliefs, abilities in different domains, values and attitudes. A successful Cameroon must value its natural biodiversity, especially its human species.
But in recent years, due to some limited notions of politics and power, there has been a growing tendency to homogenize, simplify and deny the existence of natural, rich diversity. Efforts to subvert our natural diversity and to homogenize all 30 million of us; to live, think, act, believe in homogenous ways are sadly, spreading.
I have personally been a victim of such intra-specific expression of cultural character, wherein my own colleagues with fleeting power in their hands punished me for my openness, frankness and commitment to remain different. I don’t deny any of our brothers and sisters their right to remain authentic to their nature; or to be attached to a projection of the character of their Nation (ethnic group). We are different – I respect and love that. Some prefer to operate in the shadows, some openly; some both.
This is our society and we can celebrate and must respect that. As long as our behaviors don’t rise to the criminal, objectively injurious, we may not subjectively interpret, judge and especially, punish others for just being Cameroonian – a child of our beautiful diversity. We must respect and protect our diversity.
In the animal and plant world, we respect and protect biodiversity as the basis of resilience of any ecosystem. And for political reasons we sometimes only selectively celebrate diversity in our human heritage; such as when they bring in tax revenue through unique business acumen, ingenuity, sporting prowess, or international football.
Our children like NGOMBE cannot be criminalized because they think and believe differently; express themselves differently and are bold enough to do so. Afterall, no one condemned Samuel Eto Fils or Abubacar vincent for being too bold to score goals and win for Cameroon! Yet we condemn NGOMBE for being too bold to want better for the Cameroon youth?
He expressed his mind; his natural mind and thoughts, different from those who would rather do so in the shadows or just sing praises - nothing wrong with praises. There is even nothing wrong in speaking against NGOMBE; that too is consistent with our nature.
But to seek to destroy him for being different, is antithesis to being a Cameroonian. This may be new to some.
In the wilder world, some species in the Jungle (where there is no similar "rule of law") can live in association. We see mona monkeys, white-nose monkeys and red colobus monkeys chattering together, feeding together from the same trees (such as Lophira alata – iron wood).
They share common interests, fears, learn and even adopt each other’s behavior. And together, they also know that the Chimpanzee or the Drill are their predators, though they share the jungle together.
This is also because, unlike us they don't live under the benefits of “Rule of Law”, where the weaker – in circumstance, must be protected.
Today, in biodiversity conservation, we are committed to a Human-rights and inclusive approach. Many think this only applies to universally described “Indigenous peoples”, or women or the handicapped, etc. But Gender responsiveness is a broad concept which encompasses all forms of vulnerabilities and minorities; including less influential Nations (ethnic groups), the Youth, the politically marginalized, the poor, diabetics and others with special needs; the unemployed.
As a society we must be inclusive and not criminalize vulnerable people as soon as they are able to express themselves in ways that make us uncomfortable.
In a community of humans, a country as Cameroon, we are not a jungle.
We possess and should respect the differences inherent in our different cultural characters.
We may not impose our values, our sensitiveness, vulnerabilities, or even our levels of tolerance (or lack thereof) of critique or of scrutiny, on others; without the mediation of “Rule of Law”.
This is why Rule of Law is so critically important, because under “Rule of Law”, a person or team with fleeting power and influence in their season, may become overly exuberant, and tip the cart; they may overplay their hand in trying to homogenize; to impose their natural character on other species, and eventually break the camel’s back.
Then it becomes bad for everyone – we return to a Jungle. God Forbid!
Please, we should not be foolish; our Son Junior NGOMBE is not a criminal. He should not be treated as one.
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