A Must-Read
Reviewers have said a new book on Cameroon, THE PAST AS PROLOGUE: ESSAYS ON CAMEROON, 1980-1995” authored by Distinguished University Professor Emeritus, Ndiva Kofele kale, is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding historical and political evolutions of the country, urging Cameroonians, in particular, to read it.
The recommendation was made, July 1, 2022, at Alliance-Franco Cameroonians, Buea -Cameroon, at the book launch.
The 14-chapter, 117-page book, which costs FCFA 5000, is published by Nyah Publishers, Yaounde Cameroon (First Published: 2022). It is sold at Ngassa Bookshop-Buea Town. The book is a collection of polemical newspaper and magazine essays published between 1980 and 1995, a period when respect for fundamental freedoms left much to be desired in Cameroon.
The first three essays were written in the waning days of President Ahidjo’s reign while the other 11 appeared in the first decade of Mr. Biya’s presidency.
In the essays, the author raises burning issues of our time: fundamental cleavages in our society, most notably the Anglophone-Francophone divide; official corruption; one-party hegemony; constitutional and institutional reform and so on
The book reviewers, described as freethinkers, were Professor of History, Victor Julius Ngoh who is President of Catholic University Institute of Buea(CUIB), Cameroon and author of several books; emeritus Professor of African Literature, Kashim Ibrahim Tala (University of Buea), who is author of ten books and , Charlie Ndi Chia, who has been President of Cameroon Union of Journalists (CUJ) and member of the National Communication Council.
The launch, chaired by Senior Barrister Henry Ngale Monono, attracted a significant audience that listened with keen attention to the reviewers’ critical evaluations of the book.
“Prof.Kale as a writer has done his job well; It is left for the public to read his works and apply them in their lives, so that we don’t repeat mistakes of the past”, the chair said, praising the author for painstakingly publishing the book.
After his lengthy but interesting review, Professor Tala made the following conclusion:
“The book is well organized and clearly written. The subjects of democracy and political power are presented in a straightforward and compelling manner. The author has attained his goal of writing a personally relevant and enjoyable book. He has also made the subjects of democracy and political power approachable and interesting for readers.
“This is an important book for readers with an interest in the political evolution of Cameroon. That is why I am entreating you all to buy and read the book. That is why I am imploring you to buy several copies and send to your friends and relatives. Above all, I urge you to endeavor to share the vision which Professor Kofele Kale has so carefully enunciated in this book.”
Professor Ngoh, who did the historical appreciation of the book, noted the book is a clear and concise presentation of historical facts. He said all what the two English-speaking regions of Cameroon (Northwest and Southwest) are complaining about [indirect reference to the remote causes of the on-going Anglophone crisis] are touched in the book.
Taking the floor, Journalist Ndi Chia who spoke on the political significance of the book, saluted the author’s bluntness in articulating issues of common interests. “It is worth noting that the incisiveness with which the introduction is handled, in fact, the tone and temper of the entire work is maintained from the beginning to the ends, “” he said, noting that “all what the learned professor thought, wrote and stood by has stood the test of verification.”
Ndi Chia, pushed by the burning issues the author raised in the book, expressed regret that “[Cameroonians] live in a feudal-like system of ‘high instructions’ in which one’s well-being is invariably dependent on an alliance to an individual or group of tribal barons.” He appealed everyone to get digest the content of the book.
Speaking at the event, the author, who is noted in Cameroon for his patriotic bluntness and outspokenness on socio-political matters of public interest, said he did not write as a prophet but was just reacting to matters arising at the time; that he wrote as a Cameroonian about Cameroon. “I am a well-known political scientist, comparatively. I want to make this clear because there is a tendency to suggest that I was being prophetic,” he pointed.
Satisfied with the reviews, attendees had no other option than to scramble for autographed copies
About the author
Until he was conferred professor emeritus status, following his retirement in 2017, Cameroonian-born Ndiva Kofele Kale was the University Distinguished Professor and Professor of Law at Southern Methodist University(SMU) Dedman School of Law In Dallas Texas,where for almost three decades he taught courses on Corporate Law, International Law, International Human Rights, and International Litigation and Arbitrations.
Prior to coming to SMU,Prof. Kofele Kale was for three years on the faculty of the University of Tennessee College of Law in Knoxville,Tennessee and before that, he taught Political Science for ten years at Governors State University in Illinois,USA
He is admitted to practice before the U.S Supreme Court, the U.S Court of Appeal for the 7th Circuit, the U.S District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and is a member of the Illinois and Cameroon bars.
He has authored eight books and over forty refereed articles in academic/professional journals, some of which address the socio-political and economic situation in Cameroon.
