MPs Schooled On EPA Implementation In Cameroon

Yaounde, Cameroon—Some members of parliament have been briefed on the challenges, stakes, constrain and advantages of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) for trade and development signed between Cameroon and the European Union (EU). The peoples’ representatives were familiarizing themselves with the content and tenets of the trade and development partnership agreement in a one day information workshop at the National Assembly last Thursday 19 March 2015.

Workshop participants pose with EU, NA and Gov't officials

Organized by the parliamentary network for the promotion of investments and partnership agreements, known in its French acronym as REPICOP, was aimed at informing MPs on the stakes, challenges, constrains and opportunities of partnership agreements in general and the implementation of the EPA in particular.

Cameroon and the EU signed the EPA in 2009; providing for a free access to the EU market for exports (mostly raw materials), originating from Cameroon while Cameroon on her part had to open it markets to European exports for a transitional period of fifteen (15) years.

Parliament approved the agreement in June 2013, authorizing the president of the republic to ratify agreement. The EPA then entered into application in August 2014 following its ratification.

“Now that it is effective, it is part of the legal corpus of Cameroon. It is not more the debate on the opportunities of signing or not signing, we have to forge ahead, to see what can come out of this agreement for the benefit of the Cameroonian population”, Hon Banmi Emmanuel, president of REPICOP said.

The implementation phase of the agreement according to the permanent secretary in the Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development (MINEPAT) will span fifteen (15) years.

Gilbert Didier Edoa explained that “we have two years of preparation, that is from August 2014 to 2016 and thirteen (13) years of effective implementation which will start in August 2016”.

Cameroon is the European Union’s leading trade partner in Central Africa. The Ambassador, head of the European Union delegation to Cameroon, Franciose Collet said the delegation welcomes the initiative.

“We really welcome this initiative by the parliamentary network for the promotion of investments and partnerships. We are assisting by providing technical expertise and by supporting this initiative”, Collet said.

According to one of the participants, Hon Abe Michael, the workshop was timely. The MP for Ako/Misaje said as lawmakers who check government action, MPs have to abreast with the advantages and limitations of such agreements.  

The vice president of the national assembly, Hon Baoro Theophile who chaired the opening ceremony of the workshop urged the participants to come up with workable conditions under which parliamentarians will monitor the implementation of the EPA.

In addition to the members of parliament; MPs and Senators, other participants at the one day workshop included representatives of the European Union Delegation in Cameroon, the Ministry of Economy Planning and Regional Development (MINEPAT), and the Cameroon Employers’ Union (GICAM).

By Ndi Eugene Ndi in Yaounde

Senate Bureau: Who replaces Fon Njifua, Nkwain?

Yaounde, Cameroon—The 2015 legislative year has opened both at the lower and upper houses of parliament. The March session of parliament that opened in both houses last Thursday March 12, 2015 is traditionally devoted to the election of bureau members of the two legislative institutions for a one year mandate.

Late Senator Njifua

Section II of the standing orders of the senate states that the permanent bureau of the house is made up of 17 members; a president, one first vice president, four vice presidents, three questors and eight secretaries.

As the house prepares to elect a president and other members of the bureau, observers are already asking the question; who will replace Senator Fon Fontem Njifua?

Late senator Njifua who died last year was one of the Questors of the pioneer bureau of the house that was elected last June 2013 and reelected last March 2014. Although his replacement as senator can only be through by-elections, his replacement as Questor of the bureau has to be effected this March, given that it is the first elective session since the Questor died.

While critics say the election of the bureau will just be a mere formality with a possible reelection of the rest of the surviving 16 members, it is highly expected that another senator from the Southwest region will replace the late senator Fon Lucas Fontem Njifua as Questor at the bureau.

Ahead of the election, some names that are being muted around the CPDM party headquarters as possible successors of Fon Njifua include Daniel Matute, Chief Tabetando and Otte Andrew Mofa.

In the meantime, the house will also need to elect a new chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee to replace late Senator Bochong Francis Nkwain. Here also it is rumoured around the CPDM party headquarters that it could be Fon Doh of Bali or Wallang David of Wum.

But who eventually succeeds Njifua at the bureau and Nkwain as chair of the Foreign Affairs committee of the senate is still a matter of wait and see.

There are six political parties represented at the senate-CPDM, SDF, UNDP, ANDP, FNSC and MDR. Going by prorata, the bureau will still be CPDM dominated.

The Senate was created in 1996 after an amendment to the constitution created the upper chamber. The President of the Senate who is the second personality according to state protocol is also the constitutionally designated successor to the President of the Republic in case of a vacancy in the latter office.

By Ndi Eugene Ndi

Senate reaffirms support to fight against Boko Haram

Yaounde, Cameroon—The first ordinary session for the 2015 legislative year has kicked off at the senate-the upper house of parliament with an appeal to all Cameroonians to support the head of state, President Paul Biya in his drive towards emergence and his determination to stamp out the Boko Haram terrorist group.

Senators in session (photo credit; Cameroon Tribune)

The oldest member of the senate and president of the provisional bureau of the house, Senator Nfon Victor Mukete, 96 years old CPDM senator from the Southwest made the call in Yaounde on Thursday March 12, 2014 as he chaired the opening plenary of the 2015 legislative year.

According to Senator Nfon Mukete, “it is by working together that we shall stamp out terrorism, this cankerworm which is today a scourge in Africa and other parts of the world”.

Senator Nfon Mukete expressed delight for the holding in Yaounde of the extraordinary summit of the council for peace and security in Central Africa (COPAX), to discuss measures of combating the Boko Haram terrorist sect.

“Our parliament’s involvement in such a sub regional event clearly shows the will of Cameroonians to work as one to maintain peace and security in our country”, he said.

Like at the lower house, the first parliamentary session at the senate; the upper house of parliament will be devoted essentially to the election of the president as well as members of the bureau of the senate. In this regard, the president of the provisional bureau called on his peers to ensure that the elections are conducted in a serene and convivial atmosphere.

“I pray that we shall show proof of a high sense of responsibility and high patriotism”, Senator Mukete said.

The oldest member of the senate was flanked by two youngest members of the house; 40 years old MarlyseAboui, ANDP senator of the East region and Amadou Tidjani, 40 years old SDF senator from the Adamawa region.

Minister Fame Ndongo awaited!

The fight against the Boko Haram terrorist group according to senator Jean Tsomelou, SDF group leader at the senate, will not disturb the in-house business of the legislative institution.

Though mainly dedicated to the election of the president and bureau members, senators will within their thirty (30) days stay in session also examine projects and proposals of laws filed respectively by the government and parliament as well as ask questions to members of government during question & answer plenary sessions.

The SDF senatorial group leader revealed that corrupt government officials will not have it easy before senators this session.

Amongst the members of government awaited at the senate, Jean Tsomelou disclosed, is Jacques Fame Ndongo, Minister of Higher Education who will have to come and explain the controversial admission into the diplomacy section of the International relations Institute, IRIC.

Boko Haram is looking for green gold—Senator Wanlo John

“The oldest member’s speech was focused on two main things; the war against Boko Haram and election of the president and bureau member of the senate.The senate is a state institution, senators are representing the people and so we have to join the head of state in the war. Senators can contribute through sensitization of the citizens especially our youths on the evil intensions of the terrorist group. I recently visited some European countries and a friend told me there is green gold in Africa. We cannot allow the sect to penetrate and get rid of our green gold; all Cameroonians have to firmly support the head of state, supreme commander of the armed forces in this fight. Our young people have to denounce any suspected cases, give any useful information to our military, and collaborate so that we can conquer the terrorist group. If you give the right information to the people, you save them. We are looking forward for an emerging Cameroon in 2035, we have to do everything to bar the way for Boko Haram as it is the determination of our head of state, President Paul Biya”.

By Ndi Eugene Ndi

MP calls Boko Haram Leader Devil’s incarnate

Yaounde, Cameroon—Members of the national assembly have observed a minute of silence for the gallantry soldiers and civilians who have lost their lives in the ongoing war against the terrorist group, Boko Haram. This was one of the high points of the opening of the 2015 legislative year at the national assembly in Yaounde on Thursday March 12, 2015.

Cavaye has been house speaker for 23yrs

The oldest member of the national assembly and president of the provisional bureau of the house, Hon Enow Tanjong; CPDM MP for Manyu in the Southwest region who chaired the opening plenary hailed the determination of the defense forces at the front who he said are registering victories despite field difficulties.

Opening within a context of sorrow caused by the terrorist group, Hon Enow Tanjong said that information from the front reveals that panic has gripped the terrorist group; “that fears neither God nor man”.

“The panic shows the imminent fall of the group and its leader; who is a real incarnation of the devil”, Hon Enow Tanjong said while calling on all Cameroonians to unite behind the defenses forces in the war against the sect.

The oldest member of the national assembly also praised the efforts and actions of the head of state, commander-in-chief of the armed forces towards eradicating the sect likewise gestures to the population of the Northern regions.

The March session of parliament is essentially dedicated to the election of a permanent bureau to pilot the affairs of the national assembly for the next twelve (12) months.

Public affairs analysts say the election of the permanent bureau of the house is a mere formality as speculations are rife that Hon Cavaye Yeguie Djibrill who has been speaker of the house for the past twenty-three (23) years would still be reelected.

Hon Cavaye Yeguie Djibrill has been benefitting from the overwhelming CPDM majority despite opposition protest during the election of bureau members.

According to Hon Joseph Banadzem, SDF parliamentary group leader who has often led protest against Hon Cavaye’s candidature, the CPDM majority at the assembly is fake.

“The electoral commission is not independent, it favoured most of them. They use state apparatus to have what they don’t deserve; reason why they have the majority. We must belong to the bureau according to the text, but the number of places in the bureau is determined by prorata, reason why we asked for one more place, but it was not given”.

Though the mandate of the provisional bureau will come to an end when a permanent bureau of the house would have been elected in the days ahead, Hon Enow Tanjong said it feels good being part time speaker by virtue of age.

By Ndi Eugene Ndi

Female agro-industrial workers urged to join, take leadership in syndicates

Yaounde, Cameroon—The Cameroon Labour Code gives female workers some special rights such as paid maternity leave, posting to marital residence etc by their employers.

But most female workers of agro-industrial companies in Cameroon complain that they do not usually benefit from their due rights by their employers.

One of the workers who spoke to this reporter on grounds of anonymity said they work in very precarious conditions.

“We do not have individual equipment like boots, gloves, rain coats…, we are supposed to start work at 6am and stop at 2pm, but sometimes we leave the plantation at 8pm, the task is enormous and over time is not paid for”, she said.

Like the workers, rights activist say the treatment of female workers within the agro-industrial companies does not always take into account national and international laws. This, some activists say is influenced by the low representation of women in trade union bodies of the agricultural sector, at both local and national levels—responsible for defending their interests with employers.

It is against this growing phenomenon that the Centre for Environment and Development, CED, on the eve of the celebration of the International Women's Day which is celebrated on March 8 every year, organized a workshop under the theme, "working conditions of female workers in agro industries in Cameroon ".

“This workshop aims to share the experience of labor of the workers, and encourage more involvement of women in decision-making bodies within trade union structures”, Mireille Tchiako, communication officer of CED, said.

 She explained that CED expects that at the end of the workshop, participants would have reinforced their knowledge on the scale of violations of their rights as female workers of agro industrial companies, the role of trade unions and propose solutions to remedy the situation.

One of the resource persons, Michel Dongmo, who works with rubber producing giant, HEVECAM and president of ‘Union de Syndicat Libre du Cameroun’, (USLC), said most women consider belonging to syndicates as opposing hierarchy.

Harping on the low representation of women in syndicates, the president of USLC said several factors account for the low representation amongst which are the fear of risk taking, conflict with family responsibilities amongst other. Though affirming that belonging to a syndicate is not a guarantee that workers’ plight will be solved, he intimated that “the syndicate is not being heard to the fullest, but unity is strength, join syndicates; all syndicates have the same objectives”.

Mr Dongmo revealed that as of December 2013, only 18 per cent of female workers of the agro industrial sector were militants of syndicates with a meager 2.88 per cent as syndicate leaders. The low representation of female workers in the agro-industrial sector according to the trade unionist “is because of the much energy required in our work. Take CDC for example, you have to carry 58 bunches of banana in order to mark your 8 hours. And you know women are generally weak”.

Madam Benz Enow, Labour Inspector at the regional delegation of labour and social security for the centre said, adhering to a trade union is not synonymous to having solutions to all workers’ problem. But she, advised female agro industrial workers to always belong to trade unions. She advised that a worker whose rights are not respected by his/her employer should immediately contact the trade union and if nothing is done, contact the labour office. “But be very sure you are faultless when filing a complaint to the labour office. Our aim is not to close the enterprises, else we will create bigger problem; that of unemployment. We only ensure mutual understanding between employers and employees”, she warned.

By Ndi Eugene Ndi

Cyber Criminals Hack Presidential Website

Yaounde, Cameroon—A  fabricated photo on the website of the presidency showing the head of state, President Paul Biya (currently on vacation in Europe) bowing before the caskets of some gallantry soldiers killed by militants of the terrorist group, Boko Haram has been attributed to cyber criminals.

Biya honouring soldiers from Europe?

On March 6, 2015, the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defense, Edgar Alain Mebe Ngo’o chaired a ceremony to pay homage to some brave soldiers of the Cameroon armed forces who were killed in the battle field by Boko Haram.

On behalf of the president of the republic, the Defense Minister decorated the soldiers posthumously with different titles, but on the website of the presidency days after, the fabricated photo appeared.

The photo created so much controversy with local newspapers, social media users and politicians chastising the head of state and the regime.

In a press release on March 11, the Minister of communication and government’s spokes person claimed the presidential website was under cyber attack.  He asserted that the photograph was posted by a hacker who maliciously penetrated the presidency website with the aim of tarnishing the embattled image of the head of state and the armed forces.

The Minister did not say who the malicious hacker is, but refused allegations that some personnel of the presidency were accomplices in the photo scandal.

“We are conscious of the gravity of such a picture whereas the head of state is in Europe. The photo was intentionally modified by a malicious hacker. It is impossible that it is done by someone from inside because everybody knows that president Biya is not around”, the Minister said in the release.

“Even if president Biya was out of the country, he had to flow back and pay homage to these soldiers who died defending the nation”, Hon Joseph Banadzem, SDF parliamentary group leader at the national assembly said.

By Ndi Eugene Ndi

Rights Reporting: Two Cameroonians Amongst World Champions

Two female Cameroonian journalists, Comfort Mussa of Global Press Journal & Radio France International (RFI English), and Chi Yvonne Leina of Equinoxe television & World Pulse are amongst some 15 journalists worldwide who have been nominated, selected by an organization; Women Deliver, for championing the health and rights of girls and women through their reporting.

Comfort Mussa

The list of the nominees which according to Women Deliver is meant to celebrate the International Women’s Day was made public on March 7, 2015.

The 15 nominees according to Women Deliver, are being honoured for their consistent and game-changing coverage of maternal, sexual and reproductive health and rights issues at global and national levels.

The 15 nominees are women and men from 12 countries across Africa, Asia and North and South America.

They have used their voices and media platforms to draw attention to issues like female genital mutilation in Liberia, Cameroon and Tanzania; women’s rights abuses in India and Pakistan; teenage pregnancy in Uganda; contraceptive access in the Philippines and Senegal; and sexual exploitation around the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

“Our honourees aren’t just reporting from behind a desk-they are on the front lines and their coverage saves lives. They go far beyond what many would do, even putting their own lives in harm’s way, because women’s stories matter to all of us”, says Women Deliver CEO, Katja Iversen.

“This is no easy feat, which is why we are proud to recognize them today. Their passion for and dedication to improving girls’ and women’s lives is evident in every article they write and every story they tell”, Mr. Katja adds.

The 15 were selected from a pool of more than 100 nominations submitted by Women Deliver’s partners. An internal review board evaluated the candidates based on their dedication to girls’ and women’s health and rights, the quality and consistency of their reporting on the issues and the impact of their work in the newsroom and beyond.

Chi Yvonne Leina

One of the Cameroonian honourees, Comfort Mussa is a radio host, blogger and multi-award winning journalist with a keen eye for stories that exposes social injustice. She uses her voice to make others’ voice louder.

She hosts a weekly radio broadcast, 100% Jeune Live, where she leads young people in open and vibrant conversations about sexual and reproductive health.

As reporter for the Global Press Journal, Comfort writes about many sensitive topics including the risk of sexual harassment for mentally disabled women in Cameroon and the ripple effect of anti-child labour laws on middle class women.

Comfort also founded SisterSpeak237, a blog where girls and women can openly discuss taboo topics, such as sexual harassment on public transportation.

Meanwhile, Chi Yvonne Leina breaks the silence around harmful cultural practices and sexual violence. In 2011, Leina uncovered the truth about breast ironing in Cameroon.

Her reporting generated local and international attention and helped encourage the Cameroonian government to partner with her Gender Danger campaign to end the harmful practice.

See more here