By Munyang Tengen
Gaston Philippe Abe Abe also known as General Valsero is a political activist in Cameroon who uses art to share his message. Growing up in Cameroon exposed him to the harsh realities of life due to the political climate. People were imprisoned for speaking up against the Biya regime and Cameroon hold a culture of silence. Valsero’s career started in 2008 after Paul Biya changed the constitution to allow himself to stay in power. In 2019, he was arrested for holding a public demonstration and speaking up against the government politically.
“Qui sera le prochain? Justice pour Martinez Zogo” means Who will be the next one? Justice for Martinez Zogo. Martinez Zogo was a radio host who called out, Jean-Pierre Amougou Belinga, a media mogul in Cameroon who owned Vision4 TV and L’Anecdote, for corruption. This exposure leads to his torturous murder.
General Valsero uses repetition to emphasize his message “Who will be next?”. Who will be next to stand against corruption and fall due to the never-ending power of the corrupt? Valesro boldly describes the horrors that Martinez Zogo had to face hours before he died. TW: torture; Valsero mentions that Zogo’s murderers pierced his eyes, ripped his nails, and shot his mouth amongst other things. Valsero is boldly saying we know what you have done and we saw what you have done. This shows a sense of fearlessness despite the fear that was put in place to make people silent.
Cameroon is currently in a state of unruly chaos as described by General Valsero in his song. People in power do all that they can to stay in power, regardless of what happens to everyone else. Valsero is known for his politics in asking people to stand up for what is right. This song is his call and cry to stand up to the powers that be.
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