Years come and go leaving behind pleasant and unpleasant surprises, deeds and misdeeds. The year, 2013 was not different. Its surprises were many, so were the deeds and misdeeds.

In Cameroon, though what we went through brought us more of smiles than regrets, the scenario was not same on other parts of our beloved continent, and elsewhere on our planet

As concerns the cause for smiles, this analyst is thinking of our qualification to participate at the 2014 Soccer World Cup jamboree and the laying of the foundation stone for the construction of a second bridge on the Wouri river in Douala. The sources of joy were many and varied.

In politics, the serenity that marked the conduct of the senatorial, legislative and municipal elections once more portrayed the degree of our commitment to peace and political stability. Our bi-cameral legislative structure at last took off smoothly.

On Sunday 22nd December 2013, it was impressive and Laudable to see Canon fans and other supporters of this Cameroon soccer giant cheer and encourage in other forms the Yong Sports Academy, YOSA Football Club which bearded a lion in its den. The young football team competing for their first time at the Cup of Cameroon Football finals defeated Canon Sportive of Yaounde (4 - 1) to win the 2014 Cameroon football trophy. Great!

The other causes of smiles include the face lift recently given Kamerun's first capital, Buea in preparation for celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification after a painful and costly colonial divide. The improvement of roads, the refurbishing and construction of hotels and other public buildings portray how much importance Cameroonians attach to this reunion. But the challenge to all who appreciate and value what happened on 11 February 1961 and 1st October that year (1961) is to think and act positively to preserve a reunion that has attracted attention and admiration by other nations.

Mishaps

The mishaps and misdeeds of the year in Cameroon during the year included the alarming rate of automobile accidents that have become a second killer after HIV/AIDS and malaria. The ghastly accident on the Tiko-Douala road that claimed 20 lives living 67 badly injured, and the ugly scenes on the Bamenda - Bafoussam road, Bafoussam - Douala and Douala Yaounde high ways make many wonder if our roads have become our own suicide spots. The scenario can and must change in the New Year.

Elsewhere on the African continent the political turmoil in Egypt where the supporters of ousted Mohammed Morsi seemed to see nothing wrong in accepting change no matter how rational,, Mali where political conflicts were apparently endless and Sudan where the people seemed to have fallen in love with political skirmishes and bloody settlement of scores, one is bound to wonder if African nations do not see the danger of political squabbles when they ought to be cooperating in peace for development.

During the year, Somali Islamist activists saw nothing wrong in going across to Kenya where at a shopping mall in Nairobi they carried out atrocities which caused the death of 67 people, with many badly injured. Al - Shabaab, a Somali terrorist group linked to Al - Qaeda shamelessly claimed responsibility for the misdeed.

In the Republic of Congo, Libya, Syria and Turkey much of what happened during the year, like elsewhere on the trouble spots of the African Continent, the woes could be attributed to human weaknesses, but in the Philippines where a deadly typhoon claimed hundreds of lives and at Mediterranean sea where African migrants, about 300 of them perished in the sea, the forces can be blamed. This however does not stop us from considering life a risky venture in which anything happens at anytime, hence the need for prudence.

As the year drew to its end, the striking stories of the year would not be complete without an event that would bring world leaders to the beloved continent of Africa. This at last happened on 5 December when South African's first Black President, Anti-Apartheid activist, former political prisoner for 27 years, and the world's greatest human rights fighter gave off the ghost at the age of 95.

His life, suffering for humanity and death left for mankind several lessons which human beings should emulate to make life worth living as the years came and go leaving behind the challenge of life itself.

In Cameroon we face the challenge of preserving our unity, peace and political stability if we truly value these virtues.