Archbishop Samuel Kleda of Douala has urged Cameroon’s elderly leaders to resign and allow new leaders to emerge, emphasizing the detrimental effects of ineffective leadership on governance and economic condition. Kleda criticized the current socio-economic disparities and challenged the ability of aging leaders to inspire development. With upcoming elections, he encouraged citizen participation in the democratic process to foster change.
In a compelling address, Archbishop Samuel Kleda of Douala has called upon the aging leadership of Cameroon to resign in favor of a new generation of leaders. He emphasized the detrimental effects of bad governance, electoral corruption, and the disconnect between the country’s abundant resources and the pervasive poverty experienced by many Cameroonians. Highlighting the inefficacy of aging leaders, Kleda stated, “When we get to a certain age, we no longer have certain abilities, whether it is intellectual or physical,” signaling the urgent need for change to cultivate an environment that fosters youth development and opportunity.
Archbishop Kleda did not mention specific leaders but clearly referenced President Paul Biya, who has been in power for 42 years. As Biya approaches 92 years of age, serious concerns have been raised about his capacity to govern effectively. During past public engagements, his struggle to respond coherently has further intensified speculation regarding his health and ability to lead. The archbishop posited that leadership incapacity stifles national development, emphasizing that the dire situation forces the youth to seek opportunities abroad, thus depleting the nation of its potential future leaders.
He stated, “What do we lack in Cameroon? We have everything in Cameroon, we have fertile land, we have minerals, such as gold and diamond … we have everything.” The pressing issue, he argues, is the failure of leadership to implement policies that harness these resources for the benefit of all citizens. Kleda lamented the disrepair of infrastructure, particularly roads, significantly hampering economic activities and driving up costs for farmers, ultimately affecting food prices.
The archbishop further criticized the widening socio-economic disparities in Cameroon, where a privileged few live in luxury while the majority suffer in poverty. In his opinion, the current system perpetuates misery and inequality, with dwindling purchasing power for most citizens. He remarked, “We have reached the level where the country has been divided into two classes: those who are rich and those who are poor. There are many people who have nothing to eat.”
As the nation approaches elections, Kleda has advocated for citizen engagement through voter registration, urging the population to seize the opportunity for change in leadership.
The context of Archbishop Kleda’s remarks is rooted in the ongoing socio-political landscape of Cameroon, a nation grappling with prolonged underdevelopment and a leadership perceived as increasingly disconnected from the populace. With President Paul Biya approaching a historic fourth decade in power, concerns regarding his health and functionality as a leader have proliferated. The country faces critical challenges including poor governance, corruption, inadequate infrastructure, and dire economic conditions, prompting calls for generational leadership transition to address these systemic issues effectively. Kameroon voices the necessity of youth empowerment and resource management as vital to fostering economic growth and opportunity for the citizenry.
Archbishop Samuel Kleda’s impassioned appeal serves as a crucial reminder of the necessity for effective leadership and the empowerment of a new generation within Cameroon. His critiques of current governance practices spotlight the urgent need for accountability and change. The disjunction between the nation’s rich resources and the impoverished living conditions of many citizens remains a pressing challenge. Ensuring that the upcoming electoral process incorporates the voices and aspirations of the youth may catalyze the transformation so direly needed to revitalize the nation’s future.
Original Source: cruxnow.com
