Cameroonian artist, Prince Ndedi Eyango has commended the head of state, Paul Biya for firing Ama Tutu Muna, who until Friday October 2, was Minister of Arts and Culture.

In an open letter to all Cameroonians, the artiste notes that Ama Muna’s firing marks an end to years of struggle, persistent attacks, sabotage, lies telling, slander, influence peddling and all obscure and Machiavellian practices against him and his supporters.

“The president of the republic, head of state and custodian of justice, merit and the rights and equal opportunities for all citizens has just conducted a cabinet reshuffle, which marks a turning point in the life of all Cameroonians in general and that of music artists in particular.” Eyango wrote in a press statement.

While thanking God for protecting him and enabling artists to survive to see renewed hope and optimism with the sacking of the arts and culture minister, Eyango, who was dismissed as head of the musicians for bearing dual nationality, called on his colleagues to remain vigilant. For the sake and well-being of artistes, Eyango said artists must pursue a just course to cleanse the image of Cameroonian artists, bring sanity to author’s rights management and restore the credibility of artists as well as confidence between the artists and the supervisory ministry.

“We must maintain a republican attitude as we await the results of the follow-up committee. I am convinced that by the end of this process by the prime minister, head of government, following the high instructions of the head of state, these persistent problems in the music sub-sector will ultimately find a solution,” part of the open letter reads.

It is worth noting that Eyango; whose election as board chairman of SOCAM was contested because of his dual nationality (Cameroon and America), and Ama Muna had been on war paths in the squabbles relating to the management of author’s rights in the country.

When a prime ministerial order suspended SOCAM and created an ad hoc committee to return the management of author’s rights to normalcy, the arts and culture minister went to her native Mbengwi and created the Civil Society Music Corporation of Cameroon, SOCACIM. Eyango for his part was named honorary president of the Association of Female and Male Musicians of Integrity, ACAFEHMI.