The sad thing is that the two sides in this internal conflict in the SDF are focused on scoring points rather than stating their cases in an intellectually honest manner that would help the post-independence generation not to repeat their mistakes. Sadly, also, they are not focused on saving the party by redressing its problems. The SDF is chronically sick, perhaps even terminally. Who is responsible? Both groups are. Who or what path could have saved the party? The path espoused by the revolutionaries or union-nationalists who rejected conciliation with the system in power and who objected to using the SDF for personal benefits. Do I trust either of the Asonganyi or Fru Ndi camps? The answer is: I trust neither.
When did the internal problems in the SDF begin?
It started back in 1993-1994 with the Muna-kamdoum-Asanga led faction that advocated a union government with the ruling CPDM party, a position that was vehemently opposed by the so-called hardliners (revolutionaries and union-nationalists). At the time, Fru Ndi (from a position of moderation) sided with the so-called hardliners. These union-government advocates were found in all the provinces and in the South West province, they were championed by Ndoki Mukete (the 1993-1994 provincial chairman) who was kicked out of his position in midterm reorganization in December 1994 by Tabe-Nyang who himself was bought over by the CPDM in 1997. Even my closest friend (politically) Babilla Frederick with whom I spent two months in detention in 1991 got lured by the wealth and power promised, became a darling of Ben Muna and blatantly betrayed all his family-like political friends.
When the prospects of winning power became dimmer in the mid 1990s, the moderates without the revolutionary zeal, concept of the national idea and integrity as friends of the people, started compromising. That shift became evident following the 1996 council and 1997 parliamentary elections. Those wavering characters with positions of power and influence in the party used those positions to gain wealth. After all, the chairman was doing the same. And strangely enough, the so-called hardliners were despised for dissociating themselves from the malady going on in the party. When they called on Fru Ndi and his clique to account for their actions through an internal debate in 2002, they were branded as enemies of the chairman by the clique.
I would have respected or trusted Asonganyi if he had been overtly critical back in 2002, if he had sided with the genuine exponents of change (the revolutionaries and union-nationalists) who quit the party in despair of Fru-Ndi’s betrayal, revolutionaries and union nationalists whose despair Asonganyi and co are overtly sharing today.
Can the once great SDF be salvaged? No, it cannot. It went down hill for more than a decade to its present terminal stage. Like the historic UPC that was hijacked in 1990 by the renegades, it would also take eternity to salvage the betrayed SDF. That would be in the era of our distant progenies who would likely be having no idea of the purpose of SDF’s creation. That is the harsh reality which those close to me and who have loved me selflessly, have pointed out to me, a logical situation, I have not fully come to terms with.
Janvier Tchouteu
Posted by: Janvier Tchouteu | Monday, 28 November 2005
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