Cameroon : COALITION or ALLIANCE? Have We Got It Right?

 

By Kanute Tangwa aka K(c)anute Tangwa

 

Hate him or like him, Joshua Osih dropped something of political import two weeks ago/

 

What he said apparently went unnoticed/

 

Because we were shouting ourselves hoarse with a new buzz word/

 

* COALITION

 

Indeed, from the amount of trumpeting (Hugh Masekela would wince)COALITION just found its way into our political lexicon/

 

Yet, the fundamental question should be/

 

* When appropriate to coalese or to ally?

 

Here, Joshua Osih set the ball rolling with insights that even the most novice of political actors should have known/

 

His statement laid bare/

 

The fundamental difference/

 

Between COALITION and ALLIANCE/

 

When he said talking about COALITION in a one-round presidential election is akin to playing ball with the CPDM/

 

...is heresy to say the least/

 

He was right/

 

Why?

 

COALITION makes political sense in a two-round election/

 

COALITION is a short-term political arrangement ideal in a two-round electoral process where no party wins a majority in round one/

 

Hence, parties irrespective or respective of political bent then coalese to win an outright majority in round two/

 

A political alliance is long-term and often brings together parties of similar political bent/

 

Indeed, some pundits hold that there is a thin line between coalition and alliance/

 

* I agree

However, practically, on the political turf, there is a fundamental difference.

Last line : A complete review of the electoral code would ensure a level playing ground/

As political things stand, COALITION or ALLIANCE will not do the trick.