Kamer Stories sets the tone with her My Obama Post in which she says:

“While I may understand Americans and non-Americans (Africans included) living in the US, celebrating to their heart's content, after all they live there and this victory is bound to affect them more profoundly than others, what I don't get is Africans living in Africa or in other parts of the world celebrating in a like manner. I do not think it calls for popping of champagnes, dancing the days away and all what not, when our countries are in a shambles. We have an ongoing war in Congo, I hardly
see Africans saying anything about it, much less doing anything. Hunger and poverty is still a reality in many parts of our continent, and until that is greatly reduced, I do not see why we should be in such a celebratory mood. Let me come closer to home. In my country, we have a president who has been on the ‘throne' since before I was born (and I am in my twenties) and all attempts till date to make him see the error of his ways have come to naught. How can we be celebrating in such a manner, when all this is happening in out own backyard? In all honesty, I do not get it.

To me, Obama's victory is only a small part of the issue. Since I am that kind of Cameroonian whose every waking and sleeping thought is about my beloved country Cameroon, I wonder how his win will translate into something positive for my home country, how shall we apply this to making things better in Cameroon, make our country a better place to live in. When shall Cameroon have its own Obama? Shall we allow it to happen?”

If the comments to Kamer's view were divergent, the debate on the relevance of celebrating an Obama victory in Africa and Cameroon are nearly cut-throat at Scribbles from the Den.

They are mainly reactions to a post by a US citizen of Cameroonian origin, who recounts his experience on the campaign trail for Obama and his vision of what this Presidency would mean for the world:

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for having worked so hard to bring change to our great country. I am so honored to be have been one of yours; I am blessed to be called one Obama Soldier among Millions like you. Thanks for anyone who supported our strategy at the Real-Time Obama Active Response (ROAR). As I prepare to deploy overseas on another active duty tour in January I would like to share a few words from my blog with you…..

Barack inspired me in a way that only one other person ever had - and that was while I was still a student and journalist in my native country Cameroon, Africa. Even though I was on active duty with the US Army - California National Guard for most of the period of the campaign (and I'm still on active duty at present), I traveled far and wide, on my own time and dime, to work for Barack because I believe in his word. I believe in his promise to change America, thereby changing the world too. I believe in his positive message that transcends hope as a mere feeling, transforming it into a real, palpable, reachable, touchable emotion.”

Not all readers seemed to be impressed as this comment from Penambuco suggests:

“Man, guys like this writer make me cringe. Being inspired by someone is one thing, but after reading something like this gushing piece, I find myself yearning for the worldly cynicsm of a kermit The Frog. I've not got anything against Obama, please don't get me wrong, but I also like to exercise caution in every sphere of life. I wish Obama well (hell, if all Americans had to choose from was between him and McCain, then why not him?) but here are my reservations about him:

1) He's a member of the Council On Foreign Relations.
2) He's a member of the Trilateral Commission
3)He came from nowhere, and suddenly he's got hundreds of millions of dollars behind him in campaign money. Most of which is not from contributions at street level. Where's this money come from? Why did these donors choose him, and what has he promised in return? Are his promises in alignment with the needs and of ordinary Americans?
4) His fawning stance towards Israel.

After seeing what the real powers-that-be in America made the likes of Condoleeza Rice and Colin Powell do, I would rather not be embarrassed by another Black person grovelling in front of an elite who don't give a damn about me.

The writer describes himself as someone with “experience in international journalism, public affairs and intelligence”. I just wish he'd have used all this to read between the lines a little bit more, analyse American politics a with a little more emotional detachment, instead of this saccharine piece of tripe.”

And that was not all. The proof is the following comment posted by United states of Africa:

“No God's blessings for Cameroon or Africa?

My problem with this Obama-mania is with these Africans worshiping Obama as if he has won the presidency of the United states of Africa or their individual African countries. I was watching clips on youtube from various African countries and people foolishly kept saying how Africa has been saved now that Obama is president. One woman even went as far as saying that with Obama as president, Africa will be at the forefront of African politics. Naivety has eaten deep into the core of Africa…so deep it sickens me. Typical African fashion; always trying to claim what is not ours.

I give these people one year of the Obama presidency…just one.”

Another reader Louis Mbua seemed to have some answers to the doubts expressed:

« Hello UnitedstatesofAfrica,

Your comparison between Obama and Rice and Powel is inappropriate because Obama is an elected leader of the American people while the latter two were appointed by Bush, an elected leader. Obama has powerful executive powers to help Africa, his own country America, and the world while Rice and Powel didn't have such a luxury.

Addressing your doubts as to who controls Obama; the answer is that no one but the American peoples wishes: especially the Middle Class. Obama never took money from the Military Industrial Complex or big co-corporations such as Rupert Mudoch's empire. He actually paid the Media to make his broadcast on the eve of the American General elections. He is actually genuinely trying to come to the embattled General Motors, Ford and Chrysler.”

But that did not close the matter as another reader codenamed SouthWestener surged in:

“Africans should stop their senseless HOPE. Barack is not gonna be any different from other occupants of the white house. I wonder if he would muster the courage to stand up to BIG fat COWS that are having a field day exploiting poor countries of their natural resources.

I think BUSH gave more help, atleast on paper to Africa than Clinton. Yet he was hated and less popular than the former in the African continent.

Africans must be their own change agents. We are used to this notion of hoping that somehow a MESSIAH will come from somewhere to save our asses based on some corrupt western religious teachings. We wait, fold our arms, give our corrupt leaders a pass and keep waiting, hoping that GOD will take care and all power belongs to GOD or ALLAH etc.

Africans, our mental slavery, our refusal to believe in ourselves and hoping the solutions to our troubles must only come from someone, somewhere out there is the biggest stumbling block to our progress.

I dont give a DAMN about OBAMA. I just wish him luck,no more, no less.”

All these comments actually bewildered the original author of the article – Nfor Julio Barthson who posted this comment:

“Wowie!!! I was totally missing out on this hot debate ongoing here in the Dibussi World. I had totally forgotten that he wanted to cull one of my blog posts, and I'm amazed that a few words of reflection post-campaign have unleashed such a deluge of opinions from the left, the right, the top and, yes… from the bottom. Please, keep them coming. I'll probably return with a word of mine if I think I need to clarify anything,”

Surely this debate will continue…

The video has generated many comments. When the camera is not rolling, emotions take over, in this patchwork of readers' opinions :

jts comments :

J'ai noté entre autre que les médias internationaux ne s’attardent point sur le ressenti africain en la matière et qu’aucun des plus en vue auprès des africains n’a jugé bon d’avoir un envoyé spécial télévisuel de race noire couvrir le vote américain.

austine mckyielle :

martin luther peut calmement sourire là dans les cieux, vive l’amerique, que Dieu bénisse l’amérique

cent76 :

yes we can
Meme au cameroun ca peut bouger!

jean luc :

mes pauvres amis vous croyez que obama va se soucier de l’afrique pensez vous il est l’incarnation du brillant capitaliste anti communiste et raciste amis africains prenez vous en main chassez vos vieux demons chassez vos presidents malhonnetes et affameur des opprimes…s’il doit y avoir revolution c’est a vous de reagir et non a l’etranger meme s’il est noir…Obama pense surtout a lui….i have a dream mais pas Obama.

Samantha :

En tant que Camerounaise vivant aux USA et ayant fait l’Europe, je peux vous assurer que:
- Obama est d’ABORD Americain! un noir americain n’acceptera JAMAIS de se comparer a un Africain car un noir americain est d’abord un americain car il pense et agit comme un americain.Et mes freres Africains, je vous le dis aujourd’hui si les noirs americains sont arrives a cela aujourd’hui, c’est pck ILS SE SONT BATTUS! et ne se sont pas laisses faire comme bcp de mes freres Africains font en Europe.

PEP JEAN :

Enfin le noir gouverne le monde . Une grave honte pour nos vieux et rouillés présidents d’Afrique . Eux qui ont toujours traité le blanc pour un Dieu Obama a prouvé le contraire .

 Shalimar 444 :

BARACK OBAMA a gagné d abord parce qu’il n’avait aucun gene camerounais! the corruption’s DNA.

Ludovic :

Il y a 4 ans,Obama n’était qu’un inconnu aux yeux du monde,il épelait son nom aux journalistes,aujourd’hui il est élu président du pays le plus puissant du monde.Cette élection,cette remonté fulgurante nous interpelle à plus d’un titre nous les fils de l’Afrique,car malgrer les souffrances et le chomage que nous vivons,nous devons garder cette “audace d’espérer”comme Barack

Njei Moses Timah

American voters will be going to the polls Nov 4th to choose a president who will replace George W Bush. As polls have consistently demonstrated, Barack Obama will likely emerge the winner. If that happens, Americans should count themselves lucky.
It is difficult for ordinary Americans to appreciate the strategic and psychological importance of Barack Obama moving into the White House at this critical juncture of America’s history. You need to situate America’s future in the context of a fast changing and less friendly world to understand that the country desperately needs the type of change that Obama symbolizes so as to slow down and possibly reverse America’s downhill slide from the pinnacle of the world.
America is a victim of her success and status. Like previous empires before her, the temptation to become arrogant when you are rich and powerful becomes irresistible. Eight years ago, the Republican Party took over a United States that was a military and an economic juggernaut. With few exceptions, there was a general feeling of warmth towards the US from many parts of the world. Regardless of the might of the country they controlled, the Clinton/Gore administration succeeded in projecting to the world a veneer of humility radiating from the White House. They were a likeable and respected pair even to people who disagreed with US policy.
The Bush/Cheney administration, in contrast, is more feared than respected and less likeable judging from results of several polls conducted around the world that showed respondents less favorable towards the US. If John McCain were to move into the White House, it will be generally seen around the world that nothing has changed and his presence there can only help those championing anti-American causes.
As Americans are going to vote in November, the rest of the world is already casting their votes on several websites. Some of us are voting on the www.economist.com/vote2008/. We are using the American-style electoral -college system. The country where I reside, Cameroon has 29 electoral- college votes for our population of 18.6 million while China with a population of 1.328 billion has been allocated 1900 electoral -college votes. As of last count, McCain/Palin have won 31 electoral-college votes while Obama/Biden have already bagged 8906 electoral-college votes. Our final results will be released on November 4th and it is obvious that the trend will not change significantly.
The message we get from such exercises is that the world needs an America that must be perceived to be different from what it currently is. The world needs an America with a human face and a humane outlook. We need an America that will listen more and threaten less. We need an America that will assume leadership to tackle pressing challenges that threaten humankind like global warming and not an America that is perceived to be manipulated by greedy big business to take a stance against what is right for the majority of humanity. The world is saying that the person who can pilot America in that direction and with whom we can do business is Barack Obama. If America wants to move ahead in this global village that our world has become, she needs to take into consideration the majority opinion of other villagers.
Those in America who still think that their country can continue to ignore world opinion with impunity and still forge ahead are living in the past. The era of unilateral posturing is over for good.

Related article
Colin Powell’s endorsement of Obama—Another view.

http://www.njeitimah-outlook.com/articles/article/2076046/111731.htm

Njei Moses Timah

“About 60 percent of Cameroonians I spoke to is in favor of having Barack Obama, an African American, to become the first black president. They hope that if he becomes the first black president of the world’s most powerful nation, the blacks would be proud of their color. The other 40 percent that I talked to they think that it is a Republican (party) ploy to get Hillary (Clinton) out of the way because Hillary could have been a tough competitor to (Senator) McCain because they say the Americans have what they call the redneck. They don’t think that the rednecks would want to vote a black man come November,” said Nkemayang Paul Foanyi, a newspaper publisher in Limbe, Cameroon.

From Kampala, reporter Grace Matsiko of the Daily Monitor, one of Uganda’s independent daily newspapers, said Ugandans received the historic news of Obama’s victory with a lot of enthusiasm to the point that some have already begun cashing in on the Obama euphoria.

“People feel that he is part of the changes in the global politics. But then they are probably cautious will he make it when the U.S. holds their election. Some people feel he’s too much of a populist. But this does not downplay their support for him. And surprisingly this afternoon I saw some people selling the Barack Obama posters. I think some people are trying to cash in on that excitement by printing Obama posters and selling them at something like half a dollar,” Matsiko said.

Joi Idam, assistant secretary of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Abuja Chapter said Nigerians received the news of Obama’s victory with joy and celebrated it as if Obama was the son of Nigeria.

“You will recall that Nigeria is the most populous black nation in the world. So we see it as a personal victory, and we believe that with a black man at the helm of the U.S. government, that would mean more aid, and that would affect Africa positively, and we are praying for him to win the general election,” Idam said.

Panu Panu from the Democratic Republic of Congo said Congolese are happy about Obama’s ascendancy but they were not sure how much difference Obama’s presidency would make in terms of U.S.- Africa relations.

“We believe here that it’s a good thing that an African American has a chance to be the next president of the U.S.A. It’s good for diversity in terms of the American society, but we are not sure that it’s going to change anything regarding American policy toward Africa because to change such a policy really goes beyond a powerful single person,” Panu Panu said.

By James Butty/VOA.

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