Inside Cameroon

Today the head of state took the nation by storm following the wild rumour of his passing away that was peddled on the social media. He called on the youths to be more patriotic, committed to national unity and focused as the country goes through its darkest moments in its history.

He reassured the Cameroonian youth that the vision of the Nation tagged Vision 2035 can be realized if all the youths do put their hands and commitments on deck. On the Sociopolitical crisis rocking the state of Cameroon, he heartily thanked the Cameroonian military for the good job that they have done and are doing in order to keep the territorial integrity of Cameroon as one and indivisible. He said that the crisis is already resolved permanently and that the remaining nitty gritty shall be published by the National Commission on Bilingualism and multiculturalism. However this speech is loaded with falsehood and illusionary talking.

The realities on the ground does not tie with the speech because there is still a lot of uncertainty and more sociopolitical tension in the offering.

Below is the full speech:

Head of State’s message to the Youth

My dear young compatriots,

The last few years have not been easy for our country, which has had to take up simultaneously several major challenges, namely:

-     addressing the Boko Haram threat in our northern regions and that of armed gangs on our eastern border;

-     hosting tens of thousands of refugees and displaced persons;

-     managing the outburst of unrest in the North-West and South-West Regions, marked by sporadic  acts of violence; and

-     countering the impact of falling oil and commodity prices in a bid to return to growth.

I believe we can now make an initial appraisal of our struggles on these different fronts:

-     Boko Haram’s potential to cause harm has been severely undermined, thanks to the combined action of Cameroon’s  defence forces and its people;

-     supportive measures have enabled many displaced persons and refugees to return to their homes;

-     the situation in the South-West and North-West Regions is stabilizing, and the Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism should thus be able to delve into the crux of the problem;

-     the latest assessments point to an improvement in our economy, with renewed activity in various sectors.

Indeed, the characteristic "resilience" of the Cameroonian people deserves to be hailed once again, for, it must be stated, credit for the results we have achieved goes to the people. Not only did they not give up, but they lent their support to   government’s action.

Our compatriots at large, regardless of social status, remained united throughout the ordeals. And such is what makes a great nation.

Allow me, once again, to underscore the heroism of our defence and security forces - mostly young people - whose sense of duty and responsibility has been beyond all praise.

My dear young compatriots,

The Nation is calling on you strongly, because, in the decades ahead, you will be our country’s leaders, hence the need for you to be up to the task, by acquiring the necessary skills and experience.

However, first, you must understand that the "new world” which is unfolding before our very own eyes could be tougher and more unstable than the old one. The rules that governed the old world for more than half a century - the role of the United Nations in maintaining world peace, international trade regulation, solidarity through development assistance, etc. - could become more difficult to apply, whereas nationalism, protectionism and isolationism are likely to gain ground.

In a tougher and less open world, it could become more difficult for developing countries to defend their interests and secure their economic and social progress.

Accordingly, we should commend the holding of events such as the recent African Union / European Union Summit in Abidjan, which focused on youth education and training in Africa and particularly the acquisition of new technologies and modernization of agriculture.

These orientations are in line with the objectives of China’s "new silk road" initiative and the development assistance projects of Asian countries such as India, Japan and South Korea. So, there are reasons to not yield to pessimism.

While Cameroon may rely on the solidarity of its external partners, as well as the understanding of major international organizations, the fact remains that its own efforts are naturally foremost.

Indeed, this is not the business of the government alone, but that of each and every one of us. And, in this regard, I will echo the famous quote: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”

Today, I renew this call for effort which I made to you barely a year ago on the same occasion. Rather than yielding to the tempting mirage of illegal emigration and undertaking a hazardous   and often doomed trip,        I invite you to play an active part in our great vision to achieve emergence by 2035.

I believe I can safely say that the State has done much in recent years to prepare you for this lofty task.

Regarding the budget, the combined allocations of the three ministries responsible for education represent about 15% of public spending. Great strides have been or are being made in terms of infrastructure, school facilities and educational opportunities.

The number of schools and universities is growing progressively, the two most recent illustrations thereof being the opening of a Faculty of Medicine in Garoua and a Higher Teachers’ Training College in Bertoua.

Today, each of our ten regions has a public higher education institution. Moreover, from this year on, our universities will be connected to the global university cyberspace.

The programme to donate computers to our students, which will be pursued actively, will help them to more easily connect thereto and access more and more knowledge and resources.

The government’s policy, geared towards learning trades as well as vocational and technical training, is beginning to pay off as it fosters self-employment and the socio-economic integration of youths.

As at 31 December 2017, 473,303 (four hundred and seventy-three thousand three hundred and three) jobs had been identified for youths, exceeding our set target of 400,000 (four hundred thousand). We are however aware that more jobs are required to curb youth unemployment.

Moreover, although growth slowed down due to exogenous factors, we continued forging ahead in various sectors of our development. The year 2018 will mark the completion of our major first-generation projects such as:

-     the hydroelectric dams that will soon be supplemented by power transmission infrastructure;

-     road projects such as Douala City’s east and west entryways, the second bridge over the Wouri River, various highways and the motorways under construction.

Already, a series of projects known as second-generation projects have been launched or are in the pipeline. They concern energy generation, new road transport infrastructure and especially the extension of our railroad network to N'Djamena and Limbe. We will then have to devise an ambitious social housing strategy commensurate with our needs.

Our GESP-based development programme will be continued, as will the three-year "special youth" plan which, since its inception last year, has  prioritized youth access to agriculture, industry, handicrafts, the digital economy and innovation. Nearly 500,000 youths have already registered with the National Youth Observatory to participate in the aforementioned youth plan. As funding has already been secured, its implementation will be accelerated in 2018.

The year 2018 will also be a decisive one for the preparation of AFCON 2019. The State has pumped considerable resources into it. It will then be up to our footballers to live up to their reputation and the outstanding achievements of their illustrious predecessors. They have demonstrated in the past that they are up to the task.

My dear young compatriots,

From my position as Head of State, I perceive signs of your growing interest in public affairs.

In this regard, your favourite platform of expression is the social media. Whenever at a click, you access these communication highways that give you global visibility, you must bear in mind that you are not exempted from fulfilling civic and moral obligations, such as respect for others and your country’s institutions. Be patriotic Internet users working for Cameroon’s development and influence, and not passive followers or naive relays for staunch critics of the Republic.

The Cameroon of tomorrow, which is being forged before our very own eyes, will differ almost entirely from that of yesteryear. You will be its key beneficiaries. You will need to prove yourselves worthy of it.

The world is about to witness a dramatic change. The populations of most developed countries are aging. Africa, on the contrary, will be a continent of predominantly young people by the middle of the century.

This constitutes both an opportunity and a challenge. Let us seize the opportunity and meet the challenge. I believe our youths are capable of doing so.

A final word. As you know, 2018 will be an important election year. You all who will be aged 20 years and above will be able to - or rather should - exercise your right to vote. By voting, you will be performing an act of responsible citizenship and, thus, participating in forging your destiny.

Happy Youth Day to each and every one!

Long Live Cameroon’s Youth!

Long Live Cameroon!

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Rita Akana

10.Feb.2018

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This pandemonium has been provoked by the alleged killing of a Gendarmerie element by an unknown assailants last night. The assailants disappeared after their attack leaving behind a confused and a dumbfounded security.

From Commercial Avenue,Meta Quarters, Hospital Round About, New Food Market to Mile Four Nkwen,, sporadic gun shots have been unleashed from the Chadian Soldiers that have come into the conflict.

At Mile four today, guns roared overwhelmingly shocking the butchers and other business operators.
As early as 5am,a raid squad had already been positioned at the Mile three bridge, separating Mile three and Mile Four.

Those whose line of Business is the slaughtering and selling of meat as butchers, went running helter shelter to the unknown. Some ran away abandoning their meat that only got rescued by the driver of the Meat van that is in charge of translating the meat to the sales points within the City Council.

Parents could be seen scrambling to take their kids from Schools back home as
A security measure so that these kids are Completely removed from harms way .

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Rita Akana

09.Feb.2018

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Party Politics: Alain Christian Mboena appointed the new Secretary General of The Alliance Party( PAL)by the President of that political party, Celestine Bedzigui. This appointment was done on the 7th of February 2018. Alain Christian Mboena was appointed to replace Denis Emilien Atangana, who had decamped to the party of the flame, the CPDM.Whenever elections are announced across Africa, there is usually a lot of carpet crossing and political maneuvering. This drama is usually characterized by nocturnal activities influenced by financial seductions as well as promises. Whether these promises become materialized or not is another ball game.

Whenever elections are announced across Africa, there is usually a lot of carpet crossing and political maneuvering. This drama is usually characterized by nocturnal activities influenced by financial seductions as well as promises. Whether these promises become materialized or not is another ball game.

Details

Rita Akana

09.Feb.2018

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Following a presidential decree signed on the 7th of February, 2018, elections for the senate shall hold on the 25th of March. Convening the electoral college with the sociopolitical climate still so tense, is frightening. It means that the President does not see the havoc rained on the two English speaking Cameroon as anything substantially substantial. The senatorial election shall provide the second batch of senators to be elected to the upper house of Parliament. This breaking news was aired by CRTV indicating that the said elections as well as others will take place this year. Municipal councillors,members of the electoral college and elections Cameroon have been informed that the voting booths shall be made available at each Divisional Head Quarters. Polls shall open as from 8am and shall close at 6pm. The presidential decree falls in line with article 216 of the Cameroonian electoral code,which demands that Senatorial elections be conducted 40 days before the expiring date of the current mandate.

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Rita Akana

09.Feb.2018

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The European Union cautions the state of Cameroon to avoid situations that could increase the tense atmosphere. This declaration was made on Wednesday in Brussels following the very damaging situation in the North West and South West Regions, provoked by the sociopolitical crisis rocking these regions. The European Union heavily condemns the murder of the three security agents. The European Union complained that the tense sociopolitical climate hasn't helped them to attain their objectives in Cameroon as socioeconomic partners for equitable development. The European Union calls on the state and the Security agents to refrain from using excessive violence on the people of the Anglophone Regions. Equally the European Union calls for a collective, genuine and inclusive dialogue. The situation in the North West and South West Regions is precarious with a very tense sociopolitical climate.

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Rita Akana

08.Feb.2018

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If the nation still has a concinence, this is not what you do when the country is burning and people are being killed in cold blood!

Decision to organize more Expensive SENATORIAL Elecions now as opposed to holding instantly, the more important national DIALOGUE over the Southern Cameroons question should simply tell all of you that the Biya regime lacks the political good will to resolve the ongoing Southern Cameroons crisis peacefully.

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David Makongo

08.Feb.2018

Hits: 2309