Today May 20th Cameroonians celebrate the “National Day”. What is the significance of may 20th to Cameroonians?
FACTS:
Cameroon has no single date of independence.
On January 1, 1960 French Cameroon gained independence and became the Republic of Cameroon and in 1961,
On the 1st of October 1961 the former British Southern Cameroons gained independence from the United Kingdom and thus emerged a two-state Federal Republic of Cameroon.
On the of 20th of May 1972 a nation-wide referendum resulted in the dissolution of the two-state federation, transforming the federation of two states into One State, A United Nation-A United Cameroon.
On February 4, 1984, President Paul Biya issued a decree changing the official name of Cameroon from the "United Republic of Cameroon" to the "Republic of Cameroon".
How United Is the Republic Of Cameroon? What are the elements of National Unity?
One of the elements is undoubtably “bilingualism”. Cameroonians ought to take pride in being a bilingual nation, one of the rare two in the world having French and English as official languages. But how true is this? How real is this ? Every honest and patriotic Cameroonian will concur with me that Cameroon is still miles away from truly integrating this wasted advantage. “Wasted” in the sense that the authorities that be haven’t realize that bilingualism in Cameroon is a plus, is a strength, is an opportunity and not a threat.
In the 80s , Cameroonians were leading most international organizations that needed representatives from Africa because of our innate advantage of bilingualism but today we possess a very little chance to compete as others have joined the race and even surpassed us. Governments across the world are investing in languages.
How is bilingualism related to the 20th of May? By celebrating may 20th, we are commemorating the union of two people initially speaking “two languages”. The union ought to hold this point with high esteem.
IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE THAT THE LETTER HEAD OF THE PRESIDENCY OF A BILINGUAL NATION BARES JUST ONE OF THE LANGUAGES.This is the bitter truth but must be spoken. This puts into question the unity itself. Do not judge me wrong for I am an apolitical patriotic Cameroonian that wants just the best for my dear fatherland. I am just being honest with myself. For a country as heterogeneous as Cameroon, the respect each other's cultural values is a necessity for national unity.
Bilingualism is one of the elements that will make Cameroonians feel truly Cameroonians. Although every Cameroonian ought to be bilingual, when conditions preclude this, the person’s language of preference should be respected! It is the responsibility of the government to promote this. My first exposure to the French language was in form one having had my primary education with no exposure---this applies to many other Cameroonians.
I think Cameroon will become a true united nation the day all Cameroonians are able to speak French and English.
Happy National Day.
