Huawei ICT Competition 2022 : Le Cameroun Occupe la 2ème Place
TimesNews2 juillet 11, 2022
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Huawei ICT Competition 2022 : Le Cameroun Occupe la 2ème Place

Le Cameroun s’arroge le 2ème prix à l’issu de cette prestigieuse compétition qui met en exergue des brillants étudiants africains. Le verdict a été rendu le samedi 25 juin après la grande finale qui s’est tenue le 18 juin 2022. Pour cette 6eme édition qui a une fois de plus réunie de nombreuses équipes venues de différents pays, le Cameroun a pu se démarquer et a glane la 2eme place au podium de la Huawei ICT compétition, initiative de la firme chinoise Huawei. Les deux étudiants de l’Université de Douala Kevin Steve Dongmo Temfack et Yassair Abdel Talla Fopa et avec à leur côté, Berry Kuete, jeune étudiant de SUP’PTIC, sont les trois ambassadeurs du Cameroun qui ont hissé le vert, rouge et jaune. Et pour cette édition 2022, grâce à leurs talents, ils ont glané la 2e place de la Huawei ICT Compétition. Les 44 pays en compétition lors de cette grande finale parmi lesquels le Cameroun ont pris part à la compétition en ligne au vu du contexte sanitaire marque par la COVID-19. Les étudiants camerounais y ont participé cette année en ligne depuis les bureaux de Huawei Cameroun à Douala en configurant des réseaux complexes lors d’une épreuve pratique pendant 8 heures de temps. Cette édition très particulière a connu la participation de 150 000 étudiants provenant de 2000 universités et grandes écoles à travers 85 pays et régions. Lors des étapes régionales qui se sont tenues du 25 au 26 avril 2022 à Douala, les pays africains se sont mesurés autour de deux spécialités qui sont : Le Network Track et le Cloud Track. L’objectif étant d’aboutir à la grande finale prévue en juin 2022, mettant aux prises une équipe d’un pays face à une autre à travers le monde. Encadrée par l’enseignant certifié Huawei de l’Université de Douala, Ebenezer Maka Maka, l’équipe du Cameroun, après avoir terminé troisième lors de l’édition 2021 a fait une très belle progression au second rang. Une évolution qui démontre la qualité des talents formes et l’impact positif des multiples partenariats de l’entreprise des TIC, Huawei avec plusieurs grandes écoles de formations en TIC au Cameroun. Selon Kevin Steve Dongmo, leader de cette team reconnait les multiples efforts entrepris par Huawei Cameroun afin de faciliter le bon déroulement de la compétition en ligne. Il a indiqué lors d’une interview aux médias : « S’il y’a une chose que je n’oublierai jamais de cette édition, ce sont les efforts perpétuels que nous avons engagés pour être bien préparer et ainsi affronter les étapes régionale et mondiale de cette compétition. Les nuits de travails acharnés et le temps passé avec mes coéquipiers Talla Fopa Yassair Abdel et Kuete Berry Orian ont été très bénéfiques. Sans toutefois oublier, le coaching de notre instructeur Monsieur Maka Maka Ebenezer, ainsi que les efforts que menait Huawei Cameroun afin de nous aider à l’obtention de cette réussite que nous avons eue à cette phase mondiale. Pour cela, je tiens à remercier Huawei Cameroun qui a mis à notre disposition des moyens et outils qui étaient d’une importance capitale lors de cette préparation ». D’après Madame Edmonde Djiokeng Teboh, Directrice des Relations Publiques de Huawei zone CEMAC, cette compétition est bénéfique et porte de nombreux fruits palpables. Elle dit : « Cette coopération entre Huawei et les universités camerounaises en passant par le MINESUP a longtemps porté ses fruits aussi bien dans le transfert et le développement des compétences que dans l’employabilité des jeunes camerounais qui sont devenus aujourd’hui non seulement plus compétitifs sur le marché de l’emploi mais aussi de véritables créateurs d’emploi ». Elle a aussi indiqué que : « Le souhait de Huawei est que cette compétition qui s’inscrit dans le cadre du transfert de compétences à la jeunesse camerounaise initié par Huawei depuis 2016 participe à l’émergence du Cameroun à l’horizon 2035 telle que voulue par le Président de la République S.E.M Paul BIYA à travers les TIC ». Présent a la rencontre de proclamation des résultats, le Secrétaire Généraldu Ministère de l’Enseignement Supérieur Wilfred GABSA, a présenté au nom de Monsieur le Ministre d’Etat, Ministre de l’Enseignement Supérieur ses sincères remerciements à l’endroit de Huawei pour sa participation au développement de l’économie numérique du Cameroun à travers les TICs qui constituent un accélérateur indispensable pour la croissance et le développement du Cameroun. Il a félicité et encouragé les trois lauréats : « Vous êtes nos lions indomptables sur le plan académique, nos sincères félicitations et nos encouragements pour votre brillante prestation qui honore notre pays et porte très haut son flambeau ». A titre de rappel, cette compétition a été lancée en 2015. Elle est une initiative, précisément la 3e initiative de promotion du développement des TIC lancée au Cameroun par l’équipementier chinois Huawei, après « Seeds for the future » et « Huawei ICT Academy ». Huawei, le géant des technologies de l’information et de la communication, au-delà de ses nombreux produits et la qualité de télécommunications à travers le monde, a déjà forme des milliers de jeunes qui sont des ambassadeurs du savoir-faire en TIC. En Afrique en général et au Cameroun en particulier, grâce a Huawei plusieurs jeunes diplômés ont pu se frayer un chemin dans des entreprises des TIC et ont même développés leurs propres initiatives et compagnies. TimesNews2.info

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Honorable Salmana Amadou Ali Siege au Parlement de la Francophonie
TimesNews2 juillet 11, 2022
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Honorable Salmana Amadou Ali Siege au Parlement de la Francophonie

 Le Jeune et Dynamique Député du Diamare Centre a été élu au poste de Rapporteur mondial au sein du prestigieux parlement de la francophonie. Des assises qui se sont tenues à Kigali, Rwanda du 05 au 09 juillet 2022. Lors de sa participation à la 47 Assemblée Parlementaire de la Francophonie à Kigali capitale du Rwanda du 5 au 9 juillet 2022, le plénipotentiaire camerounais sur près de 200 participants a pu décrocher le prestigieux poste de Rapporteur Mondial de la Francophonie pour le parlement des jeunes. Honorable Salmana Amadou Ali, jeune député qui ne cesse de faire parler de lui à travers ses actions qui mettent au centre, les préoccupations des populations de sa circonscription en particulier et des camerounais en général, vient une fois de plus de gagner la confiance dont faire montre le Président de l’Assemblée Nationale au Cameroun, le très Honorable Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, à son endroit. Il fait d’ailleurs parti de ces jeunes députes de la chambre basse qui rayonnent et dont le Très Honorable Cavaye Yeguie Djibril accorde sa confiance.  L’Honorable Salmana Amadou Ali fait ainsi briller le drapeau camerounais au sein de cette instance qui regroupe 80 pays partageant ayant en commun la langue française. Un fait très important dans le cadre du rayonnement du modèle camerounais en matière de responsabilisation de la jeunesse, surtout son accession progressive dans les instances de décisions. Salmana Amadou Ali est sorti du lot du fait du leadership camerounais. Son choix n’a donc pas été un fait de hasard. Lui qui compte parmi les jeunes députés qui se distinguent au Cameroun et même avant son entrée dans la chambre basse. L’ambassadeur camerounais qui revient au pays auréolé de cette nouvelle casquette devra aura du pain sur la planche. A titre de rappel Salmana Amadou Ali est vice-président de la commission des finances et du budget à l’Assemblée Nationale. Né le 3 Mars 1985 dans la ville de Maroua, département du Diamare, région de l’Extrême-Nord, Salmana Amadou Ali est un jeune dynamique et brillant natif camerounais qui s’illustre au sein de son parti politique le Front National pour le Salut du Cameroun (FNSC) chapeaute par le Ministre Issa Tchiroma Bakary. Grâce à son influence et ses activités dans les circonscriptions de Maroua 1, 2 et 3, il a permis à ses jeunes paires de rêver ainsi que toutes populations qui le soutienne dans ses multiples projets de développement et caritatifs. En somme ce jeune Député est décrit aujourd’hui comme : « le faiseur des rois » car dans le Diamare Centre ou il a grandement battu campagne et raflé des sièges avec son parti le FNSC, il est celui par qui bon nombre de négociations se font dans l’arène politique. Elise Kenimbeni

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Cavaye Yeguie Djibril Makes Appraisal of June 2022 Ordinary Session with a Total of 7 Bills Adopted
TimesNews2 juillet 7, 2022
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Cavaye Yeguie Djibril Makes Appraisal of June 2022 Ordinary Session with a Total of 7 Bills Adopted

The second ordinary session for the 10th legislative period dropped curtains on Wednesday 6th July 2022 in Yaounde, Cameroon with several government officials attending the closing ceremony chaired by Right Honourable, Cavaye Yeguie Djibril. Speaking at the National Assembly during the closing ceremony that brought together several government officials among who was the Prime Minister, Head of government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute, Representatives of diplomatic corps and international organizations, the President of the lower chamber reviewed step by step some major highlights of the just ended June 2022 ordinary session. Right Honourable Cavaye Yeguie Djibril said after 30 days of intensive work and discussions at the National Assembly, MPs scrutinized and passed 7 bills in total and had three general plenary sittings dedicated to questions and answers to members of the government. He lauded the efforts of MPs who worked hard during the June Ordinary session and crowned the Prime Minister who recently paid an inspection visit to the construction site of the new edifice of the National Assembly carried out by the People’s Republic of China. The House Speaker in his address gave thanks to the Head of State who sort out the problem of teachers, permitting a calm and serene atmosphere during end-of-year examinations. “I would like to avail myself of the opportunity afforded by this plenary sitting to note with satisfaction that the 2022 sessions of different official end-of-course examinations have been conducted in a calm and serene atmosphere throughout the national territory. This, it must be acknowledged, was made possible through the personal involvement of the Head of state, His Excellency Paul Biya, and by virtue of the appropriate measures he took in response to teachers’ demands and for normalcy to return to the education sector…” The security challenges faced by Cameroon in various parts of the country was not left aside once more. House Speaker said despite the growing efforts of administrative authorities and defence forces to restore peace in give parts of the country, people have to remain alerted and be vigilant. He told MPs when back home in their respective constituencies, to urge populations on security threats and also to keep contributing in the restoration of peace by denouncing terrorists and rebels as it is the case with vigilante groups. “As you return to your constituencies, I would like to urge you to pursue more than ever before, the task of raising awareness on the need to stay alert, report and furnish information that is necessary to fish out terrorists, rebels and other highway bandits…” He said. After the closing ceremony MPs reacted in order to assess the 30 days’ session. CDU’s MP, Koupit Adamou said the just ended session could be described as very intense because of the numerous projects or bills brought forward for scrutiny. Honourable Koupit Adamou deplored however the session dedicated to the budgetary orientation debate which to them was not fair and the fact that the voices of MPs from the opposition were booted out as well as recommendations always made were not taken into account. Among the bills scrutinized and adopted, MPs have praised the bill on Medically Assisted Reproduction, MAR which to them gives a chance to women facing reproductive challenges to give birth. Lawmakers say the initiative set in place by the government is laudable. Speaker of the National Assembly, Right Honourable Cavaye Yeguie Djibril was granted an award for peace convention by Frederich Ebert Foundation together with the Network of parliamentarians for peace. Elise Kenimbeni

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MINAS-OIM : Protection et Réintégration Des Migrants Camerounais de Retour Volontaire
TimesNews2 juillet 7, 2022
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MINAS-OIM : Protection et Réintégration Des Migrants Camerounais de Retour Volontaire

Le Ministère des Affaires Sociales en partenariat avec l’Organisation Internationale des Migrations ont lancé le 6 juillet 2022 à l’hôtel Aurélia Palace, sis au quartier Nylon Bastos, une série de formations de renforcement des capacités sur l’approche intégrée de la réintégration. Le Ministère des Affaires Sociales et l’Organisation Internationale des Migrations œuvrent ensemble pour la protection des migrants. Une série de formations de renforcement des capacités sur l’approche intégrée de la réintégration a été ouverte a Yaoundé, capitale du Cameroun le 6 juillet 2022. Ce projet vise à renforcer la gestion des migrations et à répondre à la nécessité urgente de protéger et de sauver la vie des migrants le long de la route migratoire de la Méditerranée centrale. Pendant trois jours, 140 personnes seront formées dans les villes de Douala, Yaoundé et Bafoussam, et plus tard dans le reste des régions. L’objectif est de les former et de les outiller sur les concepts clés de la réintégration de l’OIM.  Il faut souligner que cette cérémonie se tient au lendemain du premier forum International d’examen des migrations tenu à New-York, sous l’égide de l’Assemblée Générale des Nations-Unies du 17 au 20 mai dernier. A ce jour, l’OIM a facilité le retour volontaire de 5468 Camerounais, et dont 4000 d’entre eux ont bénéficié d’une aide à la réintégration économique, sociale et ou psychosociale. Dans le cadre de l’initiative EUTF-OIM pour la Protection et la Réintégration des Migrants, financé par l’Union Européenne et pilotée par le Ministère des Relations Extérieures, le MINAS a mis à disposition un bâtiment du Centre d’Ecoute et de Transit qui a été réhabilité et équipé en vue de renforcer le dispositif d’accompagnement des migrants de retour volontaire, en rendant pérenne l’assistance dès leur arrivée, en sécurisant temporairement ceux d’entre eux ne pouvant dans des courts délais retourner dans leurs zones d’origine. Face à ce phénomène de migrations qui prend de l’ampleur, donnant l’illusion d’un bonheur qui serait toujours ailleurs que chez soi, le Ministre des Affaires Sociales. Pauline Irène NGUENE dans son discours d’ouverture a invité la communauté nationale et internationale à briser le tabou et la loi du silence en signalant les cas de trafic des personnes au 1503 qui est la ligne verte et gratuite du MINAS, disponible 24 heures sur 24. Cellcom MINAS

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Sensitization Campaign Against Disabilities Launched, MINAS Calls for Responsibility
TimesNews2 juillet 6, 2022
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Sensitization Campaign Against Disabilities Launched, MINAS Calls for Responsibility

Secretary General in the Ministry of social affairs, Beryl Panje Itoh officially launched on July 5, 2022, in Yaounde, a national campaign to sensitize people on the prevention and early diagnosis of disabilities. With the upsurge in road accidents and crises affecting people in Cameroon, the ministry of social affairs has once again taken the bulls by the horns to alert the public on preventable issues and diseases that lead to disabilities. Presiding at the ceremony on behalf of the Minister of social affairs, the Secretary General outlined in her key address, the necessity to tackle the numerous accidents and crises which affect the lives of citizens. In her address, the Secretary General indicated that: “I have said on other occasions that if the emergence of Cameroon by 2035 is attained through a sustainable fight against poverty, we equally think that this challenge can be met through the prevention of disabilities, for it is universally accepted that a person with a disability is vulnerable and most often a victim of discrimination, marginalization, and exclusion. Yet what we always fail to understand is that persons with disabilities have the same hopes and aspirations as other individuals and they have the same rights as them. In this regard, preventing disabilities becomes synonymous with promoting positivity and inclusiveness in humanity. It means restituting the human dignity of those who formerly suffered exclusion by making them actors and beneficiaries of development…” Mrs. Panje Beryl Itoh said road insecurity in Cameroon is nowadays one of the major causes of disabilities. “The increase in the prevalence rate of deficiencies and causes of handicap has led to a worldwide increase in chronic health problems associated with a handicap such as cardiovascular diseases linked to diabetes, hypertension, overweight, obesity, or mental illness.” While addressing media practitioners, the Secretary General further highlighted the importance of the nationwide campaign which goes in accordance with the missions of the ministry of social affairs. She said: “We noticed that many citizens are now becoming disabled. So our priority in this campaign is to sensitize the population on how they can prevent such disabilities and the early diagnosis that could be made before time. We equally wish through this campaign to rehabilitate persons suffering from disabilities. We all know that MINAS’ target populations are the vulnerable persons and most of them are disabled and therefore with regards to the 2010 Law that seeks to promote and protect the vulnerable, we are more than ever determined in pursuing such missions…” During the launching ceremony, various experts from MINAS, the ministry of transports, the social insurance fund, and international organizations such as CBC, and the Magrabi eye institute made presentations that are vital to the public. According to experts, 1.3 million people worldwide have lost their sight due to road accidents. It was stated that, in our local context, overspeeding is the main cause. An appeal for responsibility was made by the ministries of transports and social affairs. Beryl Panje Itoh in her keynote address reiterated: “Therefore, actors in the social communication and health sectors, those working to prevent road accidents, firefighters, etc., remain the essential and strategic links as far as educating and sensitizing the public on the etiological and sociological factors of disabilities is concerned. What they do is aimed at helping, in no small way, to prevent the occurrence or aggravation of physical, sensorial, and/or mental disabilities or to reduce functional limitation.” As part of this campaign, free screening tests for eye and other related diseases are taking place at the Cardinal Paul Emile Leger Center in Etoug-Ebe, Yaounde.   Elise Kenimbeni

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Cameroon Parliamentary Alliance for Food and Nutrition Safety Takes Officially Commands
TimesNews2 juillet 6, 2022
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Cameroon Parliamentary Alliance for Food and Nutrition Safety Takes Officially Commands

Members of the Cameroon Parliamentary Alliance for food and nutrition safety were officially commissioned into duties on Wednesday 5th July 2022 by Senior Deputy Speaker, Hon. Hilarion Etong. Members of the Cameroon Parliamentary Alliance for food and nutrition safety are both MPs and Senators of the lower and upper chambers of the parliament who have merged efforts in order to tackle issues of hunger and poverty. The newly commissioned parliamentarians have been tasked to help the government in providing rapid measures with regard to their representations and the situations they face in various parts of the country. Honorable Hilarion Etong, Senior Deputy Speaker at the National Assembly while officially installing the network urged them to go to work immediately since the country is already facing an acute nutrition crisis notably in regions playing host to internally displaced and refugees. Hilarion Etong equally urged them to make urgent proposals to the Government in order to bring immediately at heels the nutrition situation faced by populations. The decision to create a strong and vibrant network that greatly focuses on issues of malnutrition and hunger is simply after a recent workshop held in April 2022 under the banner of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). During the said workshop, both Senators and MPs were upskilled on Sustainable Development Goals and other important Agendas to be achieved by Cameroon by 2030. And were equally reminded of their crucial role as guarantors of the rights of the people whom they represent. Yet, according to a report from the World Food Programme, over 55 percent of Cameroonians live in poverty which affects several aspects of their lives – from health to education, living conditions, and work among percent 37.7 percent of people are severely impoverished. The incidence of poverty is particularly high in rural parts of the northernmost and eastern regions, where structural underdevelopment and recurring climatic shocks, including floods and prolonged dry spells, limit people’s ability to thrive. Cameroon faces three large-scale, complex, and protracted crises. Since 2014, the country has been experiencing influxes of refugees fleeing violent conflict in North-East Nigeria. Jihadist incursions and frequent attacks in Cameroon’s Far North region are also causing internal displacements and disrupting local agricultural production and livelihoods. Furthermore, political instability and armed conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR) have been forcing CAR refugees into the East, Adamawa, and North regions. Since 2017, the North West and South-West regions have been affected by the conflict between state security forces and non-state armed groups seeking autonomy for the two English-speaking regions. Elise Kenimbeni

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National Assembly: Budgetary Programming Document Sets the Pace for Discussions Amid Grudge from Opposition Parties
TimesNews2 juillet 6, 2022
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National Assembly: Budgetary Programming Document Sets the Pace for Discussions Amid Grudge from Opposition Parties

The 17-page document was presented to Members of parliament on July 5, 2022, by Finance Minister, Louis Paul Motaze. As part of activities that feature on the agenda of the June 0rdinary session of parliament is the official presentation to members of parliament of the Budgetary Programming Document which opens the floor to the budget orientation debate. The Economic and Budgetary Programming Document in question presents the macroeconomic context and the guidelines of the state’s budgetary policy for the 2023-2025, three-year period, and that gives room to finance bills for the 2023 fiscal year. In his address, Louis Paul Motaze, the Finance Minister indicated that: the budgetary Orientation debate is a step introduced into the budgetary process by the law of 11 July 2018 in order to strengthen parliament’s power of control over public finances, at the same time as the involvement of the whole government in preparation of the state budget. He added that: “For the parliament, it is a question of ensuring the efficient organization of debates in committee and in plenary, by directing the discussions on strategic questions of general interest, while avoiding debates relating to the location and allocation of resources to micro-projects…” As outlined by the Minister of Finance, key priorities are: – the finalization and commissioning of major first-generation projects,– the continued implementation of the import substitution policy and the promotion of economic patriotism– the acceleration of the decentralization process through the continued establishment of the regions and the local civil service amongst others– the gradual reduction in the stock of domestic debt– the implementation of the Initial Impulse Programme (P21) which identifies a certain number of industrial projects triggering the structural transformation of economic patriotism, while mobilizing innovative financing mechanisms During the session that gave root to the official presentation of the said document, MPs of the opposition parties blocked discussions. They protested angrily and asked for the postponement of the debate which to them had been filled by some irregularities noticed while the document was deposited. SDF’s Joshua Osih, CPNR’s Cabral Libi, and CDU’s Koupit Adamou alongside their parties’ comrade more decried the late deposit of the document by the government. They decried the fact that the document which arrived at the national assembly in the morning and was brought forward for debate was not reviewed by them days ahead. The Parliamentarians argued according to their standing orders, they say the document was supposed to be deposited on or before June 30, 2022, for proper scrutiny. Work resumed hours later after a vote called on by House Speaker while MPs from opposition parties moved out of the plenary hall. The Minister of Finance, Louis Paul Motaze presented the 2023-2025 medium-term and budgetary programming document to the CPDM members of parliament present and who later adopted the document without any questions put at the forefront. Ahead of the plenary sitting, the EBPD was adopted in the morning at the chairmen’s conference presided over by the Speaker, Right Honourable, Cavaye Yeguie Djibril. Elise Kenimbeni

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National Assembly: New Edifice Expected in May 2024, PM Dion Ngute Tours Construction Site
TimesNews2 juillet 5, 2022
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National Assembly: New Edifice Expected in May 2024, PM Dion Ngute Tours Construction Site

Prime Minister, Head of government, Chief Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute alongside the President of the National Assembly, China’s Ambassador, Ministers, and parliamentarians on Monday, July 4, 2022, made an inspection visit to the construction of the national assembly complex. Monday, July 4, 2022, appeared as a busy day for the Prime Minister, Head of government, Chief Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute, the President of the National Assembly, Right Honorable Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, H.E. Wang Ying, China’s Ambassador to Cameroon and other government officials who took part in touring the construction site of the national assembly. Honorable Datouo Theodore, Deputy Speaker and chairman of the follow-up committee in charge of the construction project while guiding the Head of government, the Speaker of the lower house of parliament, the Chinese Ambassador and other officials, said ongoing construction works are at 60 percent for completion. Hon. Datouo Theodore said the works launched on the 12th of December 2019, will be completed hopefully by May 2024. The second phase of the visit took the delegation to the almost finished future 400-seater capacity Hemicycle (Plenary Hall), where, Right Honorable, Speaker of the national assembly and the Prime Minister, Head of Government received further information concerning the state of evolution of the project. This phase was followed by the signing of the protocol accord by the Rt. Hon. Speaker and the Prime Minister. Alongside Prime Minister, Head of government were the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lejeune Mbella Mbella, the Minister of Economy Planning and Regional Development, Alamine Ousmane Mey and the Minister of Finance, Louis Paul Motaze. As indicated by the national assembly, the 54.5 Billion CFA Francs project executed by the Beijing Urban construction group, BUCG will see in the months ahead: a 400 seats capacity plenary hall equipped and another 100 seats plenary hall; a 14 story building administrative building; the conversion of the former plenary hall into a parliamentary museum; 2000m2 parliamentary archive room; a six-story building for offices of members of the National Assembly and the connection of roads and other amenities. Elise Kenimbeni

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June 2022 Ordinary Session: 3rd Wave of Ministers Quizzed by MPs on Social & Economic Issues Affecting Cameroon
TimesNews2 juillet 3, 2022
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June 2022 Ordinary Session: 3rd Wave of Ministers Quizzed by MPs on Social & Economic Issues Affecting Cameroon

Four ministers have been convened at the plenary sitting of the national assembly on Friday 1st of July 2022, in order to clear off the worries of members of parliament, representatives of the people. With the tight agenda at the national assembly where the June 2022 ordinary session of parliament unfolds, lawmakers have welcomed on Friday 1st July 2022, the third wave of Ministers expected to give indepth details on some of their worries and that of the people they represent at the lower house of parliament. The Ministers convened for this exercise which enters its third phase were: Secondary education, Public health, Trade, Agriculture and rural development. Member of parliament from the South region, Honorable Mengue Mezui Germain questioned the Minister of public health, Dr. Manaouda Malachie on maternal and infant mortality rates. He pointed out the fact that, there has been significant efforts in this domain thanks to the government, international organizations and development partners, yet, the subject still preoccupies. The ratio of maternal death decreased, from 780 to 460 on 100.000 births between 2011 to 2018. According to Honorable Mengue Mezui Germain, studies have shown that 25 to 30% maternal deaths are linked to risky abortion practices. He therefore asked to Dr Manaouda if the promulgation of a law on abortion could help in reducing maternal deaths with regards to the fact that, Cameroon is among countries who signed the Maputo protocol adopted in 2006 and ratified in 2009. He went further to demand to the Minister of public health if the replacement of article 339 of the Cameroon penal code by article 14c of the Maputo protocol could be a way out. The Minister of public health said his ministerial department keeps working on the improvement of technical services in hospitals nationwide. Minister Manaouda Malachie was equally quizzed on the cholera disease affecting greatly some regions of the country. Honorable Angele Toukam Tela from the West region wished to know what has been done so far the ministry of public health and strategies to put in place in order to bar this disease that had caused several deaths. The female MP said in the town of Limbe, South West region for instance, close 1700 positive cases have been recorded since March 24, 2022. As a response to this preoccupation, public health Minister indicated that there are free of charge campaigns launched and there is gratuity in treatment of cholera patients. The issue of price hikes on basic commodities notably oil, soap and flour was equally tabled by MPs during this question and answer plenary session. Honorable Angele Toukam Tela led discussions with the Minister of trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana. Minister of secondary education, Nalova Lyonga was questioned by Honorable Menana Georgette on the measures put in place in terns of fines for late payment of examination and PTA fees. Minister Nalova Lyonga said there are no remedies for defaulters to rules set up by her ministerial department. Failure to pay examination fees before the deadline is failure to take part in the examination phase. Another issue brought forward by the MPs was that of seeking means to help producers boost their production as the crisis in Ukraine affects the economy. Minister of Agriculture and rural development, Gabriel Mbairobe said government has put in place provisional support for local producers especially small farmers with fertilizers. Elise Kenimbeni

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Cameroon: Visually Impaired Persons Decry Gross Violation of Human Rights, Call Prime Minister for Integration into Public Service
TimesNews2 juillet 2, 2022
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Cameroon: Visually Impaired Persons Decry Gross Violation of Human Rights, Call Prime Minister for Integration into Public Service

Irate visually impaired persons staged a series of peaceful protests in Yaounde, Cameroon, on Monday, 27th June 2022 in a bid to draw government’s attention on their deplorable living conditions. The group comprising of 27 visually impaired persons known in French as: “Collectif des aveugles et malvoyants indignés du Cameroun (CAMIC)”, launched a series of peaceful protests in the capital after their failed move to meet Prime Minister, Head of Government, Joseph Dion Ngute, on Monday, June 27, 2022. They were dispersed in front of the Prime Minister’s services by police men of the number 1 central station and later on locked in a corridor. Patrick Bevolo, spokesperson and one of the victims told us: “We found ourselves at the Hilton hotel roundabout around 6am. We were equipped with placards for our sit-in. The police arrived in a pick-up vehicle and started assaulting us. They took us with force to the number 1 central police station. Hours later we were called into the manager’s office. So far, we had a series of meetings with officials of the Ministry of social affairs about our demands. The only thing that we obtained from the ministry of social affairs was on age waiver. We understood that we had to go to the prime minister’s office in abid to express our dissatisfaction. We are marginalized!  We wished through our peace protest to pass on a strong message not only to the national community but also to the international community…” The protesters who till Thursday 30th of June stormed the streets were assaulted by forces of order and threatened to be locked up. In an interview granted to us, one of the protesters said: “We were packed in a mini bus like prisoners and thrown outskirts of Yaounde. Some of us are currently speaking from the locality of Soa where we were abandoned. The crime committed is just to ask for a fair dialogue with the Prime Minister. We want to work; we need employments…” Despite the meeting held on the spot between the police, the Representative of the Mfoundi Senior Divisional officer and officials of the ministry of social affairs, nothing good filtered out. The group of frustrated persons living with visual impairment said the problem is no more at the level of the minister of social affairs who did her best so far, but it is an issue which can only be solved by the Prime Minister who is the head of government. The group underscored the fact that, thousands of young visually impaired persons who are certificate holders remain unemployed despite several laws, international conventions and other legal instruments protecting them. The legal provisions that protect them include Law No 2010/002 of April 13, 2010 on the protection and promotion of persons with disabilities adopted in 2018. Moreover, as indicated by some of those interviewed at the central post office in Yaounde, they are not happy because due to neglect, several of them got involved in unhealthy practices to survive and others like girls have been sexually abused. “We want to see our living conditions ameliorated in spite the fact that our rights are violated. Are you happy to see in the streets of Yaounde, Douala and elsewhere, human beings like you begging as paupers, beating drums and singing in order to have a token to eat or survive, whereas the law is supposed to protect them. Our grievances are attached on the law of April 13, 2010 enacted in 2018 by our government.” Said Aymard Lindjeck, member of the movement dubbed CAMIC. He added: “Another demand we are putting at the forefront as we protest for our rights is simply to reduce taxes of self-entrepreneurial people living with disabilities. Many people living with disabilities, PLWD suffer from an increase in taxes imposed on their petty businesses where as even when grants contest are opened to small and medium enterprises in Cameroon, they are exempted. Furthermore, we call for the integration of PLWD in renown higher institutes of learning thus in 2021 we had three visually impaired persons whose entrance were blocked in the national competitive entrance into the public service.” By dispersing the group of angry visually impaired persons with brutality, forces of order in Cameroon have violated article 21 of the International Human Rights framework on the right of peace assembly, stating that: “the right of peaceful assembly shall be recognized. No restrictions may be placed on the exercise of this right other than those imposed in conformity with the law and which are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public safety, public order, the protection of public health or morals or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others…” Cameroon as a State party to the 1981 African Charter on Human and People’s Rights provides in Article 11 that: “Every individual shall have the right to assemble freely with others. The exercise of this right shall be subject only to necessary restrictions provided for by law in particular those enacted in the interest of national security, the safety, health, ethics and rights and freedoms of others.” Yet, as outlined in the International convention on the Rights of persons with disabilities, in its 10th Article, state parties reaffirm that: “Every human being has the inherent right to life and shall take all necessary measures to ensure its effective enjoyment by persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others.” At the ministry of social affairs, the director of the department of social protection of persons with disabilities and elderly persons, Mrs. Ambe Angelica said they have organized series of meetings with various groups of persons living with disabilities. She said in the last meeting held in April 2022, the Minister and the various groups came into a compromise concerning the introduction of recruitment files in different ministerial departments. The Director of social protection of persons with disabilities and elderly persons equally pointed out that, the files as promised were deposited on the

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