- Cameroonian lawmakers have been warned to become sensitive to the consequences of amending Article 6.2 of the country's constitution to allow President Paul Biya to stand for elections in 2011 when his term expires.
When his mandate expires in 2011, President Biya would have ruled Cameroon for 28 years. But he still wants to grab the presidency, amid the rising cost of goods and services and political tensions resulting to the death of at least 20 people.
In a letter to the deputies, a group of Cameroonian writers - both home and abroad - vented their disgust with the proposed amendment, arguing that it is "dangerous and criminal for the head of state to play games with the constitution."
The group said by amending Article 6.2 of the constitution, the representatives "would weaken the institutions that protect Cameroonian citizens against act of barbaric abuse."
"For too long, we have lived as if we do not see the mishaps that have befallen our neighbours," the letter read, making reference to recent incidents of conflicts in some African countries, including Kenya, Cote d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone and Somalia. They said a "single foul play with the constitution could plunge the entire nation into insurmountable chaos."
The letter, which specifically targeted representatives of the ruling CPDM party, stated that Cameroon would pay an onerous price in the future if MPs amend the article in question.
"The President has availed himself of the de facto majority accorded him in the national assembly by you, CPDM parliamentarians, to trample on the constitution of this land. Worse still, he has had recourse to armed elements of the police force to silence those dissenting voices that have dared to openly object to his scheme."
The group said Mr Biya's assertions that "all the provinces are in support of a constitutional amendment" was absolutely incorrect, believing that his government had instilled fear among MPs, which was why they had the impression that he [President Biya] is the "sole dependable alternative for our country's future leadership."
While appealing for restraint, the ink professionals their act was meant to protect the
constitution and its clauses that guarantee every Cameroonian against acts of barbarity.
"It is for the sake of social stability founded on the sacred principle of respect for
legislative texts that we appeal to your conscience!," they said, asking the lawmakers to "steer clear of infamy, avoid gambling with the country's priceless future as well as stop playing with fire that has already resulted to the murder of "our compatriots" in Douala and Bafoussam for protesting against the constitutional amendment.
Cameroon's Minister of Information, Jean Pierre Biyiti, had called on the media to help ease the tensions, which spread to the north west.
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