WHERE ARE THE ANGLOPHONE ELITES AND INTELLECTUALS WHEN THEIR PEOPLE NEED THEM MOST?

WHERE ARE THE ANGLOPHONE ELITES AND INTELLECTUALS WHEN THEIR PEOPLE NEED THEM MOST?

Why have so many Anglophone elites, intellectuals, lawyers, professors, teachers, doctors, philosophers, accountants, engineers, politicians, traditional leaders, technocrats and other professionals become so resigned, silent, indifferent or distant from the collective search for lasting peace and meaningful development in Cameroon?

If some people have taken up guns today, is it not partly because those who possessed the education, influence, knowledge and responsibility to carry their pens failed to use them effectively to address the grievances before they escalated into armed conflict? Why do we expect people to drop their guns when we have not convincingly demonstrated that we are ready to pick up our pens, engage in meaningful dialogue and work courageously toward resolving the conflict? The gun cannot be the foundation of lasting peace, but neither can silence, indifference or intellectual resignation. If we want guns to fall silent, our pens, our voices and our collective wisdom must rise to the occasion.

Where is our collective intellectual courage? Where is our sense of responsibility to our people and future generations?

Why are we not actively, honestly and honorably participating in constructive discussions, debates, research and initiatives aimed at developing a credible and comprehensive blueprint for:

1. Just and lasting peace, reconciliation and national unity.

2. Justice, equality before the law and respect for human dignity.

3. Liberty, freedom, constitutional rights and accountable governance.

4. Sustainable social, economic and political development.

5. Responsible exploitation and transparent management of Cameroon's enormous mineral and natural resources.

6. Economic independence, job creation, industrialization and prosperity for future generations.

Why should a country endowed with gold, bauxite, iron ore, oil, gas, forests, fertile agricultural land and immense human talent continue to depend so heavily on borrowing against the future of children who have not yet been born?

Why should our children inherit mountains of debt when they could inherit productive industries, functioning institutions, quality education, modern infrastructure and a prosperous nation?

I recognize that some professionals have made extraordinary sacrifices for peace and justice, often at considerable personal risk. Others may be constrained by fear, insecurity, political pressure, economic hardship or profound disappointment with previous initiatives.

But these realities make an inclusive, credible and independent intellectual conversation even more necessary.

Must we all become politicians before we can contribute to nation-building? Must we agree on everything before we can work together for the common good?

We do not need to belong to the same political party, share the same ideology or support the same leaders to agree that our children deserve peace, justice, liberty, equality and economic opportunity.

Cameroon does not lack educated people. It does not lack natural resources. What remains urgently necessary is to translate knowledge, expertise and public concern into coordinated, practical solutions.

Our education must become an instrument of liberation, not merely a certificate of personal achievement. Our intellectual capacity must serve society, not simply our individual survival.

The question I leave with every Cameroonian professional, particularly those from the North-West and South-West Regions, is this:

WHAT ARE WE PREPARED TO CONTRIBUTE, BEYOND COMPLAINTS AND CRITICISM, TO BUILDING A CREDIBLE BLUEPRINT FOR PEACE, JUSTICE, FREEDOM AND PROSPERITY?

The future of our children must not be mortgaged to finance the failures of the present.

History will remember not only those who created our problems, but also those who possessed the knowledge and opportunity to contribute to solutions and chose to remain silent.

Dr. David Makongo

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