The tripartite agreement was signed on Tuesday, 6th of August 2024 in Yaounde.
Yaounde, August 6, 2024, the head office of the Elections managing body in Cameroon, ELECAM hosted a significant partnership agreement ceremony.
The partnership agreement was signed between ELECAM, the German-based foundation, Friedrich Ebert, and “Un Monde Avenir”- a coalition of civil society organizations.
Speaking to media practitioners, Dr. Enow Abrams Egbe, Chairperson of the electoral board of ELECAM pointed out the impact of this newly signed partnership as a catalyst to the ongoing voters’ registration lists.
He praised the newly drafted partnership and described it as timely with the upcoming 2025 elections which need to witness massive registrations on voters’ lists.
Dr. Enow Abrams Egbe said: “Our main objective is to make sure that the clauses of the convention are well-respected and the final goal that we intend to have is the increase in the voter’s registration exercise, to make sure that the next elections will have greater participation.”
ELECAM’s chairperson went further to outline the crucial role played by actors of the civil society in the electoral process. He reassured the press of the fact, that this partnership agreement comes in to reinforce collaborative avenues and highlights the free and fair state of ELECAM.
“Collaboration with civil society is fundamental. Don’t forget that civil society is one of the stakeholders in the electoral process and so we want to let the world know, the Cameroonians in particular and our electors especially, that there is transparency, inclusive, free, and fair participation in elections, and in all what we do in Cameroon.” Dr. Enow Abrams Egbe narrated.
On his part, the national Coordinator of “Un Monde Avenir”, Mr. Nanga Phillippe said through this newly signed partnership accord, his Non-governmental organization is bringing its participation in terms of setting up the pace for teams of youths who will work on the field to amplify calls for voters’ registration.
He stated that “Un Monde Avenir” is a coalition of civil society organizations that actively participate in free, fair, and equitable elections in Cameroon. His NGO is supported by several well-known organizations such as REDHAC, NDH, “Dynamic Citoyenne.”
Mr. Nanga indicated that his organization will set up teams of thousands of young people who will be deployed all over the 360 councils that make up Cameroon, to assist the teams of ELECAM on the ground.
He also pointed out the fact that they have put in place a component dedicated to electoral education which features in the missions assigned to his organization. Through this component, they educate people and make them understand the stakes in the electoral process.
According to Philippe Nanga, one of the main challenges of “Un Monde Avenir” in this newly sealed partnership is to create an effective and active population participation in the upcoming elections. To him, boosting voters’ registration lists is not only the task that his teams will conduct but also to boost participation.
“The more people participate, the more there is trust, security, and legitimacy.” He said.
Christian Klatt, Resident Representative of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung in Cameroon saluted this innovative approach which seeks to include all citizens in the electoral process.
This historic deal was signed in the presence of some officials of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, the Non-Governmental Organization- “Un Monde Avenir” and ELECAM’s Director General, Dr. Erik Essousse.
Elise Kenimbeni
