The American Midterm Elections

I followed the campaigns leading to these elections whenever I accidentally got on a channel showing an advert by one of the candidates or a debate. I actually enjoyed the issues that came up following to make or mar the pools either in favor of or against the contestants. I'm talking here about the Foley scandal, relations between Mr Bush, his Defence Sec. and the generals in Iraq, confusion in the White House as to what to do in Iraq amidst growing concern of an immerging imbroglio, facelessness of the Iraqi Prime Minister brow-beaten to take instructions as to how to run his country from Washington, the ever present (I was told) of abortion, hunting and taxation issues on the table of politicians, the sex scandal of the Evangelical minister, the sudden sentencing of Saddam, and list can on and on. What I gathered from this is a tradition that has grown with time. A tradition of politicians held accountable for their actions and the actions of those they appoint; even for those who are only members of the party. Accountability to the people can then be seen as that check of character, of excessiveness, of failure and of a possible reelection. This set me reflecting on the lessons that could be learnt from this democratic process.

The first question that came to my mind was to what extent are the elections going to affect the various states in providing better lives for everyone and a shift in global politics?

And talking about a new wave at the international scene, the Southern Cameroons question comes into the picture almost involuntarily. Long ago when Cameroon was a federation, real elections were held. Now, can free and fair elections be held in Cameroon? I listened attentively before and after elections to get anyone raise doubts as to the transparency of the pools and the fact that this didn't even come up was quite surprising to me. I think that if America genuinely wants to export democracy, she should start by creating a culture of credibility and accountability in countries that she has an overt or even covert interest like Cameroon. If gross corruption in nation states by leaders can be listed as one of the crimes against humanity, then most African states will build a foundation for good governance and sustained development. This can be enforced by economic powers by like the US that gives loans or aid without a follow up as to whether these funds were used for intended purposes. Leaders caught depleting their country coffers should then be tried in special tribunals and the stolen funds returned to their countries. This may sound like advocating the direct interference of super powers in local politics. But I think that is that is the only way to instill 'patriotism' in leaders like Mr Biya, then so be it.

Anglophone Cameroonians, I'm sure, are learning a lot from this. Afterall, this is what will guide them towards succeeding in setting up their Federated State of Southern Cameroon when the illegal occupation is over.