Biya-Fru Ndi Historic Handshake

Monday, December 13, 2010

By Francis Wache
History was made in Bamenda, the headquarters of the Northwest Region, on Friday, December 10, when, President Paul Biya, for the first time, met Ni John Fru Ndi, leader of the Social Democratic Front, SDF, Cameroon's frontline opposition party. The long-awaited meeting took place at the Presidential Residence Up-Station. According to Fru Ndi, they discussed the political situation in Cameroon. The Chairman of the SDF said he pointed out the shortcoming of Elections Cameroon, ELECAM, as a body that could convincingly conduct free, fair and transparent elections.

The atmosphere at the residence, Fru Ndi said, was cordial and convivial. "We discussed serious issues but we also cracked light-hearted jokes," he said. "I was touched," Fru Ndi said, "when Biya mentioned that individuals come and go but Cameroon remains. I retorted that that was why I was asking him to put in place institutions that transcend time and individuals."
Earlier, while waiting to be received in audience by the Head of State, Fru Ndi had engaged in chit-chat with members of Biya's close entourage, notably, the Prime Minister, Philemon Yang, the Minister Delegate in charge of Defence, Alain Mebe Ngo'o and Atangi Nji, Minister in charge of Missions at the Presidency. At the end of the Biya-Fru Ndi one-on-one chat, the Chairman introduced members of his delegation to Biya, among them, the Secretary General of the Party, the leader of the SDF Parliamentary group, the SDF MPs from Momo and Donga & Mantung.
During President Biya's visit to the Northwest it was highly expected - from both sides of the political divide - that he would find time and thaw out the political logjam that has existed between the two leaders since Fru Ndi defied all odds and launched the SDF on 26 May, 1990.
In 1992, it was generally believed that Fru Ndi, flag bearer of the Coalition for Change, a medley of opposition parties, had won. Officially, Biya was declared winner by a mere 3 percent difference. Fru Ndi cried foul. Biya shackled him by declaring a State of Emergency on the Northwest Province.
Fru Ndi emerged from the ordeal bruised but unscathed. Unbowed, he took on Biya again in 1999 and 2004. His fortunes had been contrived by the regime to decline and he was portrayed as a regional leader whose fief was only the Northwest. Against such a backdrop, Fru Ndi has soldiered on, struggling to keep together a party rocked by resignations and dissent. When news of the Biya-Fru Ndi last Friday encounter broke, there was jubilation in bars and the streets of Bamenda. Howls of joy could be heard.
A visibly unmoved Fru Ndi spoke to The Post with equanimity: "Of course, in 45 minutes, we could not have been expected to carry out in depth discussions. Nonetheless, for now, it is difficult to predict what the repercussions of that indubitably memorable meeting will be. One thing is certain, though: for good or ill, the political landscape, thanks to that historic Biya-Fru Ndi handshake, will never be the same again. (See interview on page 5).