Chapter 2 - On Patriotism

Patriotism refers to an individual’s devotion to a country with which they identify. It implies a deep attachment to the moral and material values of that country. To be patriotic is to love one’s own country more than a foreign one. In Cameroon, patriotism is facing serious challenges that need to be addressed.

The Problem

The UNIVERS Party observes a stark lack of patriotism among many Cameroonians. A large number show little interest in their own country and instead prefer all things foreign. Many Cameroonians—especially the affluent—prefer to go abroad for healthcare, tourism, education, or even to invest their material wealth. They avoid Cameroonian-made products and lean toward foreign goods. They turn away from Cameroonian realities, attributing more value to anything from or located abroad.

Many Cameroonians feel estranged from the national cause. Some even behave like enemies of their own homeland. This explains the widespread tax evasion and all sorts of fraud designed to extract personal gains at the expense of Cameroon. This absence of patriotism is also reflected in the disregard for public property, the careless destruction of national assets, embezzlement of public funds, and corruption, all of which harm Cameroon’s interests.

If some Cameroonians no longer love their country, it's because the current leaders have driven them to that point. These leaders have turned Cameroon into a place where life is difficult and unappealing. You can’t expect people to love a country that, to them, feels like hell on earth. Cameroonians seek treatment abroad because local hospitals can’t provide adequate care—our hospitals are often seen as places people go to die. Parents send their children abroad to study because they have lost confidence in the local education system. It's hard to love a country where one cannot speak freely, gather freely, or move freely. It’s difficult for a Cameroonian to love a country where the first civil servant they meet harasses them, or where security forces torture citizens.

Solutions

You can’t force feelings! So it’s unrealistic to say that patriotism can simply be imposed on citizens. However, measures can be taken to foster patriotic sentiment. To make Cameroonians love their country, the country must be made livable and desirable. That’s precisely the ambition of the UNIVERS Party. A Cameroon like that would certainly rekindle patriotism in its people. This patriotism must be strengthened through symbols and actions that solidify the emotional bond between citizens and their homeland.

To that end, the UNIVERS Party proposes three specific measures:

· Measure 1: The National Flag

· Measure 2: The National Anthem

· Measure 3: The Creation of a Patriotic Service

Measure 1 - Patriotism and the National Flag

The UNIVERS Party will initiate a national debate around the following questions:

· What do the colors green, red, and yellow mean to Cameroonians?

· Do they identify with these colors?

· Should the flag be rethought or kept as it is?

The current flag of Cameroon is 99% the same as the one imposed by colonial France just before the independence of French-speaking Eastern Cameroon. After the reunification with English-speaking Western Cameroon, these colors were retained. This reunification essentially validated only the flag of the French-speaking half. The current flag fails to reflect the shared history of reunification between two peoples who were once separated by international colonial rule.

Ultimately, it will be up to the Cameroonian people to decide whether to keep or modify the flag—or replace it altogether. The voice of Cameroonians with roots in the Northwest and Southwest regions will be prioritized in this debate, as their history is not currently reflected in the flag.

Once the people have spoken, steps will be taken to restore and reinforce patriotic respect for the national flag. The UNIVERS Party believes the flag must be present in all public places—schools, training centers, universities, administrative buildings, etc.—to help citizens become familiar with their national colors. Citizens will be required to stop and pay homage whenever the flag is raised or lowered. While such practices are already official policy, they are rarely respected—leading to a weakening of national pride. The UNIVERS Party will call on citizens to restore this discipline and show rigorous respect for the flag.

Measure 2 - Patriotism and the National Anthem

The current national anthem of Cameroon, in its most widely used version, was originally a song composed by students under the guidance of a French colonial teacher to celebrate the French colonial administration. This song was adopted as the anthem of French-speaking Cameroon shortly before independence.

After reunification with British Cameroon, the same song was maintained as the anthem of the reunified and federal Cameroon. A version in English was later produced by someone from the British side—not as a direct translation, but as a different set of lyrics. As a result, Cameroon effectively has two national anthems in practice.

As part of national reconstruction, Cameroonians will be asked if they identify with these two anthems. If they do, the anthem will be retained. If not, the people will be invited to craft a new, more patriotic anthem that reflects the cultural and historical realities of Cameroon.

Once a national consensus is reached, the anthem will become a core part of civic education. It will be taught from the very beginning of formal education and become a required subject to obtain a primary school diploma. Any access to public service or national defense will require knowledge of the anthem.

For example:

· Anyone applying for a civil service job, appointed position, or running for office at any level will have to demonstrate that they know the national anthem and can sing it.

· Athletes wishing to represent Cameroon must meet this requirement.

· Mastering the anthem will also be required to acquire Cameroonian nationality, unless by birth.

Measure 3 - The Creation of a "Patriotic Service"

According to the UNIVERS Party, every Cameroonian must first ask what they have done for their country before expecting anything in return. Citizens will be expected to demonstrate patriotism by performing a “patriotic service”, without compensation, for at least one year.

This service can be performed in any area of skill or work, beginning from the age of 15. For example:

· A young graduate from a medical school can volunteer in a public hospital.

· A youth without formal training can serve as a cleaner or messenger in a public institution.

· A high-level athlete can play on a national team without receiving bonuses.

· An artist can donate a piece of work equivalent to one year of labor to the nation.

The UNIVERS Party proposes that this service be optional. However, access to civil service or any mission involving the defense of Cameroon’s interests will require proof of having completed a patriotic service.

Anyone who completes this service will receive a certificate from the relevant authority. This certificate will include a score reflecting the level of patriotism displayed during the service. This score will be considered during competitive recruitment for public jobs.