INTERVIEW-Cameroon more dictatorship than democracy -cardinal
21 Mar 2009 14:56:18 GMT Source: Reuters
* Influential Catholic says youth vote would beat Biya * Cardinal says will not run for presidency By David Lewis and Tansa Musa DOUALA, Cameroon, March 21 (Reuters) - Cameroon's young voters would sweep President Paul Biya's government from power if there were a free election, the country's top Catholic said on Saturday, a day after Pope Benedict's three-day state visit. Corruption and poor leadership are stoking frustrations and lessons need to be learned from Madagascar, where the president was ousted by demonstrators and the army this week, Cardinal Christian Tumi told Reuters in an interview. "I don't think that there is a policy for dialogue with any group that expresses discontent ... They are nearer a dictatorship than a democracy," said Tumi. Tumi, Cameroon's head cardinal, leads some 5 million Catholics in a country of around 18 million people. He has won the respect of many Cameroonians by consistently speaking out against rights abuses, and some believe he is the only man capable of uniting the country's disparate opposition groups. With oil production declining, Cameroon, one of West and Central Africa's largest but least developed economies, is seeking billions of dollars for mining, hydro-electric and infrastructure projects. Tensions sparked deadly riots last year over the high cost of food and fuel and Biya's scrapping of term limits, which free him to stand in elections in 2011 to extend his 27-year rule. After dozens died in last year's violence, diplomats, civil society activists and the opposition are now complaining that Cameroon's newly created election body, ELECAM, which is meant to be neutral, has been stuffed with pro-Biya officials. Previous elections have been marred by irregularities. Tumi said the ELECAM issue had "disappointed" Cameroonians, noting that they must wait until they are 20 to vote even though women can marry as young as 16 and men start paying taxes at 18. "If they are free to take such an important decision why can't they also vote? Those in power are afraid ... Many of the youth are frustrated," he said in his office. "If the elections were well organised, the young people would sweep the old people out of power and that would be a good thing," addded Tumi, who is due to retire this year after 20 years as Archbishop of Douala, the nation's business centre. EYE ON MADAGASCAR On his maiden visit to Africa, the pope has spoken out against corruption and the abuse of power by leaders. While warmly welcomed by crowds, many in Cameroon also grumbled about the pope's visit, complaining about the cost and disruption, and the sight of the first family and the government being blessed by the pontiff on state television. Tumi denied that politicians had hijacked the pope's visit, saying the visit had been pastoral and the pope had to visit all Catholics, good or bad. But he urged Biya to ease tensions by announcing he would not stand for re-election. "They have to be careful. Look at what just happened in Madagascar. It could happen anywhere," Tumi said. "I believe that there are competent Cameroonians who can do the job but they are afraid -- even within the (president's) party." Tumi, 75, said he would not enter politics when he retires, preferring to write and read in his cluttered office. Cameroon has been repeatedly ranked as one of the world's most corrupt countries, something Tumi said is registering with young people graduating from university but ending up driving taxis or sweeping the streets. "We cannot say we have progressed much. There is a certain class that is living very well. Some are rich, and very rich. Others are poor, very poor," he said. (Writing by David Lewis; Editing by Louise Ireland and Daniel Magnowski)
A woman with albinism (C) stands in a crowd waiting to catch a glimpse of Pope Benedict XVI as he travels along the street in Cameroon's capital Yaounde, March 19, 2009. ...
