Cameroun : Des élections locales à forts enjeux en 2020
L’organe en charge des scrutins dans le pays a publié les listes des candidatures en vue des législatives et municipales du 9 février 2020.Une étape cruciale qui annonce de nouvelles orientations politiques pour les Etats-majors. Elections Cameroon, le 8 Décembre 2019 a mobilisé la presse et les acteurs du processus électoral en vue de procéder à la publication des listes de candidatures. Une journée de suspense car le conseil électoral à tenue en haleine tout le pays pendant de longues heures. C’est finalement tard dans la nuit que les listes des partis politiques ont été rendu publiques et le lendemain celles des candidats dans une ambiance surchauffée par les observateurs de la scène politique nationale qui ont mal ingurgité les atermoiements d’Elecam. Mais, cette étape, qui ouvre la porte du contentieux pré-électoral au niveau du conseil constitutionnel, a livré une grille d’analyse sur la future géopolitique locale. Au RDPC, parti au pouvoir par exemple, la redistribution des cartes internes reconfigure les profils, certains députés et maires de communes sont mis à la touche soit par la circulaire du président national de ce parti en la personne de Paul BIYA soit par des manœuvres des commissions communales, départementales ou régionales de ce parti qui rafle la mise dans le nombre de listes de candidatures. Ceci permet d’envisager un « relooking » des effectifs du RDPC à l’Assemblée Nationale et dans les exécutifs communaux. Un parti dont la majorité « obèse » a toujours fait les choux gras de la presse camerounaise et suscité la frustration des opposants au régime. Du coté des partis de l’opposition, le désistement du MRC de Maurice Kamto passé, une formation politique historique comme l’UPC coule littéralement car ayant vu toutes ses listes rejetées est contrainte à ester en justice .L’UPC a déposé des listes concurrentes issues de deux factions. Le SDF présenté depuis les dernières décennies comme parti leader de l’opposition se frotte les mains malgré ses appréhensions par rapport à la tenue effective des élections dans les régions du Sud-Ouest et Nord-Ouest du Cameroun en proie à un conflit sociopolitique séparatiste âprement réprimé par le Gouvernement. Le PCRN de Cabral LIBII pourrait profiter de toutes ces situations pour se positionner en véritable outsider sérieux de ce double scrutin. Ce qui devrait couronner l’entrée en scène en politique de son leader Cabral LIBII sorti troisième lors de la présidentielle d’octobre 2018 remportée par Paul BIYA. Les élections du 9 Février 2020 est ainsi une étape importante pour le landernau politique mais surtout pour le Pays qui charrie autant de passions, de l’intérieur comme de l’extérieur, à la faveur d’une communauté internationale sceptique quant à la crédibilité du double scrutin sensé légitimer le pouvoir de Yaoundé. Par Jean Patient Tsala
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Journalists drilled on the production of stories using Digital tools
A one day training workshop on forest management and data journalism took place in Yaounde on December 3, 2019. From a practical exercise, it has been discovered that, in 2010, Haut Nyong division in the East region of Cameroon, had 3.59 Million hectares of tree cover, extending over 100% of its land area. In 2018, it lost 6.98 kilometre hectares of tree cover, equivalent to 3.60 million tones of carbondioxide of emissions. These data released in the Global Forest Watch (GFW) interactive online platform have been used in illustrating the tree loss in this part of the country just like in other areas where forests are poorly managed. The Global Forest Watch platform has been one of the various tools used during the training workshop that aimed at enhancing the skills of journalists for an improved forest monitoring. The interpretation of data, analyzes at the levels of deforestation, urbanization, wildlife and shifting agriculture just to name these few were granted to the media practitioners in school. Besides, the Global Forest Watch platform are, the Forest watcher application and Cameroon Forest Atlas that were equally unveiled as digital tools for open data search. The selected journalists at the GFW fellowship workshop led by Madeleine Ngeunga, praised the innovative technology put at their disposal for a dynamic search through a click. Many of these tools, mostly unknown to journalists specialized in environmental issues will henceforth curb the gaps in terms of data and information. The journalists believe that, though analyzing the data could be very technical at times, they can seek for an expert with vital information at hand. « Global Forest Watch online platform is expected to be an added value for bringing interesting stories and act as an alert for consistent production of articles. It will help us to have data in abid to create or produce news features as we expect to closely work together to brace up challenges in the media landscape » said some trainees at the workshop. As a positive reponse to the GFW technology, many have subscribed for updates in the areas of their choices. Participants had the opportunity to review, the cameroon forest law of 1994, the impacts of deforestation in the country and the major challenges faced by media practitioners in the course of their duties as environmental journalists. The one day workshop being an initiative of GFW enters within the framework of the Global Forest Watch technology fellowship program launched in 2018 with the objective to recruit and train best forest advocates on GFW tools. And in Cameroon, the fellowship programme is piloted by cameroonian based data journalist, Madeleine Ngeunga, who was selected as a fellow in the ongoing programme. The fellowship intends to improve forest management in Cameroon through the training of young passionate journalists. By Elise Kenimbeni
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Media Practitioners and Community Leaders called on to give a push in the Measles and Rubella vaccination campaign
As the national campaign on measles and rubella kicks-off this 4th December 2019, stakeholders are called on to fully participate in the success of vaccination activities. The role of media practitioners, traditional and religious leaders has been highlighted as vital in the success of the 5 day intensive measles and rubella campaign launched in the country. The call was made by the Secretary General in the Governor’s office of the Center region in Cameroon. Simon Ghislain Etsil said, the media and community leaders are well placed to easily access people. They have a direct contact with people. They have the power to speak and can help change the mindsets of many who still have stereotypes about vaccins administered to their children. He said : « vaccins are safe ! They don’t cause infertility and render children crippled as many say on social networks. Let’s vaccinate our babies to be strong and energetic as we are. It is thanks to vaccins that we are in well-being and parents of many children today ». In his key note address, Dr Phanuel Habimana, resident representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) said, the role of mediamen such as the association of scientific journalists and communicators for the promotion of health (AJC-PROSANTE) and other associations working with communities should be praised so far thanks to their collaborative efforts. Yet, much is still needed to encourage populations to accept vaccination of routines and free of charge campaigns at their doors. People are called on to warmly welcome vaccination agents. « I encourage all people to mobilize and benefit from this week’s vaccination campaign. Vaccination is free and a right for everyone. As for us, government, partners, civil society, related sectors, together we must work together to defeat measles, polio, and all other vaccine-preventable diseases. All partners reaffirm their commitment to continue supporting the Government of Cameroon in terms of the health and well-being of the people. » Dr Habimana added that, WHO is more than ever preoccupied by the resurgency of outbreaks in some regions of Cameroon and in some neighbouring countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad and the Central African Republic. The outbreaks have caused alot of death cases estimated to 5000 for instance in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Cameroon, between 2000 and 2017, the number of deaths of children under 5 attacked by measles decreased from 5208 to 146 thanks to vaccination campaigns. It helped to reduce child deaths by 97%. The ongoing nationwide campaign equally gives root to the introduction of the second dose of vaccine against rubella and measles for children aged from 9 to 59 months, alongside the administration of vitamin A and deworming with Mebendazole of children aged between 0 and 5 years. By Elise Kenimbeni
Read MoreHIV Prevalence Rate in Cameroon drops to 2.7%
It is one of the major announcements made on December 1, 2019 during activities marking the 32nd edition of World AIDS day in Yaounde. Public health Minister, Dr Manaouda Malachie said the national prevalence rate stands at 2.7 percent and thanks to progress achieved so far, there are about 303.000 persons on treatment as at June 30, 2019. The national prevalence rate decreases from 3.4% to 2.7%. 68% of people estimated to be carriers of the virus know their HIV status, 70% are on treatment and 22% of these persons on treatment did their viral load test with a result of 78% of the viral load suppressed. This as efforts are made to attain the 90-90-90 targets of UNAIDS by 2020 which imply that ; 90% of all people living with HIV will know their status, 90% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy and 90% receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression. He outlined the fact that, there is a drop in financing and the entire community must join efforts and speed up their work towards achieving sustainable development goal number three(3): Universal access to health. Another major announcement made by the minister is, the free of charge treatment of HIV patients in Cameroon by January 2020. In order to accelerate the fight against the epidemic and to end it by 2030. Dr Manaouda Malachie however pointed out that, government’s main concern is and remains the situation of children and adolescents, but also the fight against gender equalities. « Women and young girls continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV. It is equally the fight against disparate destinies for the most vulnerable people who are also the most exposed. Finally the fight against stigma and discrimination, which remain an obstacle to access to services » he said. While delivering the message of Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, Savina Amassari, country director for UNAIDS in Cameroon underscored the fact that, governments have a key role to play in accompanying their communities in the eradication of HIV. « Let me remind you, governments committed to at least 30% of HIV services being community-led. They also agreed that 6% of all HIV funding go to community mobilization ; promoting human rights and changing harmful laws that act as barriers to ending AIDS… So, we call on governments to open a space so that activists can do the work they do best… » Winnie Byanyima stated. United Nations’ resident coordinator, Allegra Baiocchi on her part noted the fact that the 32nd edition of World Aids day is observed on a relevant theme, being: « communities make the difference ». She said : « communities are a unique force behind the success of the HIV response. Their leadership and advocacy ensure that the response remains relevant and grounded, keeping people at the center and leaving no one behind ». Communities around the world are at heart of this response. Helping people to claim their rights, promoting access to stigma-free health and social services, ensuring that services reach the most vulnerable and marginalized, and pressing to change laws that discriminate. Yet, unmet needs remain. A record of 38 million people are living with HIV, and resources for the response to the epidemic declined by 1 Billion dollars last year, according to the message of UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres. By Elise Kenimbeni
Read MoreViban Jude at the helm of CAMASEJ after high contest
He won with 126 votes against 92 for Moki Charles Linonge in a tight and tense election process. Out of 219 people who cast their ballot, 126 voted for Viban Jude permitting him to secure the top position as the new national president of the Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists (CAMASEJ). He defied his main challenger, Moki Charles Linonge, acting president of the Douala chapter who got 92 votes. 1 vote was cancelled during the counting process because of its non-respect of the rules according to the electoral commission put in place by the general assembly. The Elective General Assembly of CAMASEJ held on November 30,2019 in Douala had as major outcome, the vote of a new national president to replace Simon Lyonga. The six chapters that currently make up CAMASEJ were all present. Douala, the host chapter, Yaounde, Bamenda, Buea, Limbe and Kumba. Despite tight tension and contests that arose during the verification of lists, the various members came to a compromise and the elections were conducted in a serene atmosphere. Viban Jude, the Yaounde chapter leader, now national president of CAMASEJ in his key address after victory, called for solidarity and collaboration among each other. « I promise on behalf of the team that we are going to work with everyone because we are all talented. We are counting on each and everyone of you to revamp this association. It is no more an issue of an individual. No Viban Jude, No Moki but CAMASEJ » Viban Jude as declared in his manifesto days ahead of elections, will work closely with his team to organize annual conventions that will bring together all english speaking journalists inorder to chart on ways of improving the practice, protecting and promoting the Anglo-Saxon style. He intends to promote and raise CAMASEJ as a member of global networks that advocate for press freedom, access to information and the Rights of journalists. CAMASEJ will equally become a member of the international federation of journalists(IFJ). The team of the new angle is expected to work on the unhealthy working conditions of journalists in Cameroon notably those of the private sector having most of the time less or no month pay. The elective general assembly of CAMASEJ was coloured with remarks from Ntumfor Barrister Nico Halle and Franklin Kiven of the United Nations Human Rights’ office. By Elise Kenimbeni
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