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The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has rejected the request by the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) and UMS d'Alger to overturn the CAF decision which resulted in UMS d'Alger losing the first leg of the CAF Confederations Cup semi-finals to Renaissance Sportive de Berkane by a score of 0-3 on April 21, 2024. The Algerian club refused to play the match because of a disputed RS Berkane jersey. Translated with DeepL.com (free version) The sky is falling again for Algerian soccer. Beaten 0-3 in the first leg of the Caf Confederations Cup semi-finals by RS Berkane, the Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has just rejected the Algerian club's claim concerning the Western Sahara map flocked to the Moroccan shirt in the first leg of the Caf Confederations Cup semi-finals between USM Alger and RS Berkane on April 21, 2024. CAS rejected the request by the Algerian Football Federation and USM Alger officials to overturn Caf's decision. Translated with DeepL.com (free version) The Algerian authorities seize the Moroccan equipment at the airport. The story began on April 19, when the Moroccan team arrived at Algeria airport. Algerian customs seized the Moroccan shirts, claiming that the Moroccan map showed the territory of Western Sahara, a disputed territory for which Algeria supports independence. On April 21, 2024, during the first leg of the semi-finals, Algerian officials felt that Berkane's decision to play the match in this jersey was in breach of FIFA's November 2022 regulations banning political tendencies in soccer. However, in this competition, this point of regulation does not fall within FIFA's remit. In fact, the Confederation of African Football claims that the jersey of Moroccan club RS Berkane had been validated before the start of the competition. In fact, the Moroccans wore this shirt against Mali, Libya, Congo, Nigeria and South Africa. Western Sahara: how to understand the origins of the conflict? Western Sahara has been a coveted territory for decades. It is bordered by the Moroccan province to the north, Algeria to the northeast and Mauritania to the east and south. Its west coast overlooks the Atlantic. A former Spanish colony, it has not yet found a definitive legal status since the departure of the Spanish. The territory is claimed by Morocco and the Arab Democratic Republic ( RASD), proclaimed by the Polisario Front in 1976. The latter is a movement whose claim to total independence for Western Sahara is supported by Algeria. A political issue illustrating the rivalry between Morocco and Algeria which is now spreading to the soccer arena, necessitating the intervention of the sport's jurisdictional bodies. The Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled in favor of the Moroccan club. Renaissance Sportive de Berkane, who came out on top in both the first leg and the second leg, will contest the final against the Egyptian club Zamalek. UMS d'Alger will surely learn from its mistakes. J. Patrick DJON

On the night of Saturday April 27 to Sunday April 28, the Public Prosecutor at the Court of Cassation of the Democratic Republic of Congo ordered the opening of a judicial investigation into Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, Metropolitan Archbishop of Kinshasa. The prosecutor accuses the Cardinal of “deliberately violating consciences and seeming to find pleasure in false noise and other incitements of the population to revolt against established institutions and attacks on human lives”. Indeed, in a notification sent to one of his subordinates in charge of the investigation, he states: “For some time now, the behaviour of Monsignor Fridolin AMBONGO, Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kinshasa, at a time when the country is facing war in its eastern part, has been characterised by a constant stream of seditious remarks made during press briefings, interviews and other sermons, likely to discourage the soldiers of the Republic's armed forces, who are fighting at the front, but also inciting the mistreatment by rebels and other invaders of local populations already battered by so many years of destabilization”. Overall, the Cardinal is criticized for not having his tongue in his pocket when it comes to criticizing President Félix Tshisekedi's regime. In fact, before the Prosecutor General of the Court of Cassation of the Republic of Congo intervened to request the opening of an investigation against the man of God, the spokesman for the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Patrick Muyaya, had already taken to the stage on April 3 to ask the Cardinal to explain his remarks made during the Easter mass. During this mass, the Cardinal had declared: « We realize that our country is now in a comatose state, and we realize that those who come from outside can afford to play games with the Congolese nation, because the main cause of our misfortune, the main cause of the lack of peace in our country, is not people from outside, it's not foreigners, it's not the evil Rwandans, it's first and foremost us Congolese. Our irresponsibility has led us to take actions that are not conducive to peace in our country”. This statement undoubtedly followed the desertion of cadres from the party of Mr. Kabila, ex-president of the Republic of Congo, to join a rebellion wreaking havoc in the east of the country, called the M23, said to be close to Rwanda. One of the ambitions of this rebellion is to conquer the Kinshasa regime by force of arms. It should be pointed out that the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo is experiencing almost constant destabilization. Here, several forces are at play, often with the blessing of neighboring countries, with the aim of exploiting the mineral wealth that abounds in this part of the country. These include the M23, backed by Rwanda. The Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group formed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2000. They defend the interests of Rwandan Hutus who have taken refuge in the DRC since the genocide of 1990. They are opposed to the power of Paul Kagame, current President of Rwanda. The FDLR is suspected of having many genocidaires among its militants and cadres, who fled the advance of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), controlled by Paul Kagame, during the Rwandan genocide of 1990 and the RPF's seizure of power. « The DRC doesn't have an army.... » In eastern Congo, there are also troops from the Rassemblement Congolais pour la Démocratie RCD Goma. The same applies to the armed men of Jean-Pierre Bemba's Mouvement de Libération du Congo (MLC). There are still remnants of forces from military elements under the command of General Laurent Nkunda, who occupied North Kivu for a very long time. In addition to these forces, we note the presence of the ADF (Allied Democratic Forces), an armed group of Ugandan origin, affiliated to the Islamic State organization. The ADF have been present in eastern DRC since the mid-1990s. In this region, they have carried out numerous acts of violence, killing thousands of civilians. At the end of 2021, the Ugandan and Congolese armies launched a joint military operation against them, dubbed “Shujaa”, without so far succeeding in bringing hostilities to a halt. Faced with the exactions of disparate armed groups scattered across North Kivu, South Kivu, the Beni region, etc., a group of militiamen known as the Wazalendo, which literally means “patriots” in Kiswahili, is today positioning itself alongside the Armed Forces of Beni. A group of militiamen known as the Wazalendo, which literally means “patriots” in Kiswahili, most of whom come from various local militias, are today positioning themselves alongside the DRC Armed Forces (FARDC). They face the M23, an armed movement supported by Rwanda. Alongside these armed groups, there are regional forces sent by states to lend a helping hand to the Congolese people, such as SAMIDRC, the force of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and MONUSCO's blue helmets, recently expelled from the country due to their ineffectiveness in the face of rebel exactions. Fertile ground for all kinds of interference Alongside these armed groups and militias, state forces, etc., there are also mercenaries. The presence of mercenaries should also be recognized. Such an accumulation of forces creates wars of positioning on the ground, as well as intensifying struggles for influence over the occupation of territories that are known to be rich in gold, diamonds, lithium, Coltrane, uranium etc. The same can be said of the leadership quarrels that have led to an increase in Shiism. This invasion of the country by foreign forces saddens the Cardinal, who has revealed the inconvenient truth to the political authorities and therefore to those in charge of security. At the famous Easter Mass, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kinshasa bitterly declared: “Justice is the first body to trample on the rights of ordinary citizens, and here we are talking as if we were strong. The reality is that the Congo has no army. ». Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo has been forced to face the country's judicial authorities for having spilled these truths, essential to the country's reconstruction. If he is indeed heard by the judicial authorities of the Democratic Republic of Congo, it would be a first in this country. In the DRC, successive rulers, including Mubutu Sessé Séko, have always had a bone to pick with the Catholic Church's critics, but have never thought of crossing the Rubicon and criminalizing a prelate's remarks. It must be stressed, however, that the Catholic Church in the Congo is a powerful machine, rich in human and social potential, and that its presence has always shaped political power in one way or another. In other words, the current episode involving the instrumentalization of justice against Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo appears to be no more and no less than a maneuver of intimidation. TIENTCHEU KAMENI Maurice

Perfect harmony in Cameroon's pharmaceutical sector The conference room of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security was the setting for a symphony between the employer group, whose spokesman was Prosper HIAG, and Jean Marie NDI, President of the Federation of Unions of Health, Pharmaceutical and Related Employees of Cameroon, in the presence of Minister Grégoire Owona, who welcomed the willingness of the various parties to reach an important agreement after two years of discussions. The parties were able to reach a consensus on their divergent points of view. The exchanges took place in a good-natured, serene atmosphere, and both parties should congratulate themselves on this happy outcome. This document is the frank expression of the perpetuation of a frank and fruitful social dialogue within their professional environment, a guarantee of productivity and competitiveness. The Minister congratulated his colleague Ms. Nsankep for her self-sacrificing efforts over the two years of work. Reaction Jean Marie NDI, President of the Federation of Unions of Healthcare Employees, Pharmacists and Related Professionals of Cameroon « Many things are going to change. This sector was already under the aegis of a pharmacy convention, yet these are family businesses. Now, the distribution structures are large, multinational companies. As you know, we've identified a problem, which is why we've introduced a new agreement to govern this sector. Salaries have already been increased by 5%, 10% and 15%, and transport bonuses have been increased. The calculation for leave and transport bonuses has been revised upwards, and all categories have also benefited from an increase in medals. Also, labor relations will change between workers and employers. We've received all this in order to achieve symbiosis within the sector's companies. We started with bipartite dialogue, and that's why people don't hear the noises coming from this sector. ». Clément Noumsi

Following a joint interview protocol introduced by a number of media outlets, Dr Erik Essousse, Director General of Elections Cameroon had the opportunity this Monday, April 29, 2024 in the conference room to address concerns. 1-With calls for mass voter registration intensifying on all sides, has Elecam set up any special arrangements on the eve of the election? Éric Essousse: Thank you for your question. As you know, Elecam is the body in charge of elections in Cameroon, be they presidential or any other. We organize the registrations with our own teams and with most of our branches throughout the country. We have mobile teams who make the rounds in their areas of competence in order to register all people of voting age (20 years and over). We do this every day, Monday to Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., from January 1 to August 31 each year. The law does not allow us to do so, but exceptionally we can do it on Saturdays under certain conditions. 2-In the same vein, some political parties are citing difficulties linked to the defective nature of Elecam's kits, and even their inadequacy. How do you respond? What about the renewal of the biometric stock announced by Elecam? Éric Essousse: As far as our kits are concerned, I must first say that our first-generation kits, which date from 2013 and were acquired under the mandate of the former DG, give us complete satisfaction. These kits are still in the field, but we also have the 2nd generation kits, which have caused us a few problems because their technical features are not satisfactory. So we're combining the two, which is why there are registrations in the field, since we do the registrations every January 2, since the 1st is a public holiday, which shows that our kits are working. On the other hand, given that the kits are the basic element for voter registration, the government has given us the means to renew the entire stock. But to ensure that we have a reliable tool, we are currently working with our technicians and our partners to ensure that we can get a kit that is exactly like the first ones, i.e. those of 2013, because those of 2018 are not entirely satisfactory. The government has listened to our grievances and provided us with the necessary means to acquire, by the beginning of 2025, new kits that meet all our expectations and those of the public. 3-Some PCRN activists who are members of mixed commissions have noted that some people who have been enrolled since 2020 have still not received their electoral cards. What can explain this state of affairs? Éric Essousse: Yes, we need to clarify this situation. We've had problems with some of our printers for printing voting cards. To address this concern, the government has provided us with the means to resolve the problem. These printers are available from our partners, as local traders are excessively expensive, but we have already ordered them, and once they have been received and technically installed, the cards will be produced again. 4- Isn't this social networking campaign to encourage Cameroonians to register en masse for the electoral roll a great opportunity for Elecam to boost its figures? What digital strategy has Elecam put in place to optimize exploitation? Eric Essousse: I don't think this agitation, if I can call it that, is a bad thing in itself, but we want to work in a professional manner and ensure that all Cameroonians of voting age are enrolled on the electoral roll in accordance with the conditions laid down by law, i.e. to be of Cameroonian nationality, enjoy their civic and political rights, be 20 years old and be able to register. At the same time, we do a lot of communication through social networks (Twitter, whatsapp, Facebook) in short, we use modern tools that enable us to communicate with people to get them to register. But I simply wanted us to know one thing: that Elecam Hirsch should not be drawn away from its competencies, because our activity is well regulated by the law. Political parties can make their contribution by inviting their supporters and activists, but this must be done in accordance with current legislation governing voter registration. And I repeat, it's Monday to Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and our teams often go beyond that to finish by 5 p.m. whenever possible. Our agents must not be asked to work at any time, except in very specific exceptional cases. I think we're going to keep on communicating, and I think you're our relays in the field. 5- Some citizens who wish to register do not always find their way around Elecam's sites. How do you communicate the location of Elecam's 360 communal branches, and the schedule of Elecam's mobile teams? Eric Essousse: We're doing everything we can to get people to sign up. In all the communal offices, raids are coordinated by party agreement with the political parties according to a pre-established timetable. I'm rather surprised to learn that people are jostling each other in certain places to form an Indian girl. It's a legal requirement for every citizen of voting age to register in order to get his or her card and, when the time comes, fulfill his or her civic duty. Let's be careful not to have any duplicates. There are more than two hundred thousand registered voters, but it's only after we've cleaned up the numbers that we'll know the exact figure. 6- Elections Cameroon teams deployed even on weekends, is this an instruction from the hierarchy? If not, what is your position on the matter? Éric Essousse: I'd like to make it clear that this can be done, but on an exceptional basis. For the time being, Sundays are reserved for prayer. In certain cases, we authorize enlistments on Saturdays, but not on Sundays for the time being. 7- In the run-up to the 2025 presidential elections, what is the situation regarding the registration of Cameroonians living abroad? Eric Essousse: I can see that there's a lot of ink flowing, but we're in the process of organizing this aspect of our work. With Nis kits having a few problems, we could have done it already, and the technicians are hard at work now that it's done, our teams are already on the ground. I've just been in touch with a few ambassadors, the one in Brussels where there's a bit of a stir, the one in Paris, in South Africa too, but only those compatriots who don't have dual nationality are concerned; they have to present their consular card, their passport and the residence card showing that they were really established in this territory. 8- What are the current statistics since the start of the 2024 review? Éric Essousse: As I mentioned earlier, we've had almost two hundred thousand (200,000) registrations since the start of the year, including 148,000 young people, women and people with disabilities. We're satisfied with these figures at the moment, even though they still need to be cleaned up when the time comes to extract duplicates and the like. We must remain professional. Interviewed by Clément Noumsi

From April 29 to 30, 2024, the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Travaux Publics will be exhibiting its training courses to the general public at the esplanade of the Delegation Régionale des Travaux Publics du Centre. To find out more, we spoke to Pr Nkeng George Elambo, Director of Enstp, about the institution he has been in charge of since October 19, 2019. Afrique en éveil: Hello Professor! Pr Nkeng George Elambo: Good morning. AEE: What was the starting point for your training in building, public works and related trades? Pr NGE: The Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Travaux Publics is an institution that trains engineers. Before, we had Bac+3 graduates; after the reform, we trained Bac+5 graduates, engineers in civil engineering, the environment, topography and cadastre, urban planning and architecture. We also train technical agents and senior technicians, but we've noticed that many worksites lack well-trained people. There's a problem on the sites after the engineers and architects have done their preliminary work, but during construction, we find that the workers are often not up to the job. AEE: There are trades that can be learned on the job, such as tiling, staffing, reinforcement and many others. Pr NGE: Yes, that's why our technical supervisory body, under the new regulations, is planning to set up specialized training centers, which justifies the joint MINTP/MINESUP decree for the creation of these vocational training centers in the building and public works trades. AEE: Can you give us an overview of some of the trades you have listed for training? Pr NGE: Masonry, plumbing, electricity, refrigeration and air-conditioning, tiling, painting, eco-construction, use of local materials, reinforced concrete, carpentry, metalwork, roadworks, road maintenance and hydraulic engineering structures, as well as all aspects of water, sanitation and hygiene, not forgetting the HIMO method, geometry, construction drawings and plans, and new technologies in building and public works construction. AEE: So these are training courses leading to certification? Pr NGE: It depends on the case, on the type of training, because some will be at initial level, some will require certificates, others diplomas, attestations for continuing training. AEE: From April 29 to April 30, what else will be happening tomorrow? Pr NGE: The school is going to present to the public the various training centers that exist across the country, an opportunity for young people to learn new trades in their respective regions. In the past, it was difficult for these young people to get to these centers, which is why each region has a center to bring them closer to them. AEE: The theme of these JPOs is: “Yesterday's infrastructures, training and employment opportunities for young people”. Are the students able to highlight the road projects underway or completed in the field? Pr NGE: If we stick to what will be presented during these open days, with a conference followed by an exhibition, it's the need to show the need for training of assistant technical officers and workers in several trades that are important in the public works sector. AEE: Over two hundred building sites are underway throughout the country. Are your students aware of the importance of these sites to Cameroon's emergence? Pr NGE: If we take all the training courses offered at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Travaux Publics and the regional training centers, we're talking about the whole range of trades that will help our country to emerge by 2035. AEE: Why did you choose these dates for the JPO? Pr NGE: It's an opportunity to show young people that they can get the training they need to become independent or join a company, and we're also on the eve of International Labor Day. AEE: thank you Pr for your availability Pr NGE: thank you and happy International Labor Day in anticipation. Deciphered by Clément Noumsi

The Minister of Public Works, proceeded on April 29, 2024, to the opening ceremony of the Open Days dedicated to the Trades of Building and Public Works, at the Esplanade of the Regional Delegation of Public Works of the Center. The 138th edition of the International Labor Day was an opportunity for the Ministry of Public Works to showcase, through open days organized with the aim of informing and raising awareness among young people, whether in school or not, about the menial trades of public works on the one hand, and to highlight the specialized training centers for public works trades, now present in all regions. Public works companies, design offices, institutions, MINTP structures and training institutions under the supervision of the Ministry of Public Works were all on hand to help visitors, mostly young people, in their choices and career directions (DPQs, CQPs and VAEs) related to public works trades. A number of players from the infrastructure sub-sector were on hand to present their know-how and their raison d'être to the large number of visitors who came to discover the trades involved in public works, as well as the career opportunities available to young people in this sector. In addition to the prospects offered by the sector to young people, whether graduates or not, a “meeting” area has been set up at the JPO, to facilitate exchanges between companies and job seekers, and between pupils and students and the structures present on the site. This building forum is also an opportunity for young people interested in the public works sector. For two days (April 29-30, 2024), young people will be able to visit the 40 or so stands set up and browse all the communication media made available to them. The JPO is organized as part of the 138th International Labor Day. Reaction Eric Raoul TATMI NANA, DG Services of Road security Sarl « We are a young company based in Douala Bonabéri and we operate in the field of public road communication, which includes horizontal and vertical communication. We offer road signs, road markings, guardrails and road lighting. We're here to make ourselves known to the general public, to provide information about our services. We have a high production capacity capable of covering the Central African sub-region. It's an automated system that enables us to be up to date with a capacity of 500 panels in two weeks. To our credit, we can cite the Japoma training course for panels and marking, as well as Douala international airport. We work in partnership with secu route. Another innovation is the bilingualism of our materials, because our country is bilingual. ». Clément Noumsi

On the occasion of the 138th International Labor Day, and in the wake of the revitalization of training centers specializing in public works, with ten created in each region, a conference-debate was organized on April 29, 2024 at the Amphi 500 of the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Travaux Publics in Yaoundé. “Qualifying training in the public works sector and opportunities in the implementation of road infrastructure projects in Cameroon” was the theme that guided the various speakers on Monday April 29, 2024. In the front row was the Minister of Public Works, Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi, accompanied by the Secretary of State to the Minister of Public Works in charge of Roads, Armand Ndjodom, and the Secretary General of the institution. A large number of young people came to find out about training courses leading to qualifications in the Building and Public Works sector, and the training opportunities offered by the Public Works Vocational Training Centers. The aim of the conference was to present the various training opportunities offered by the government, in line with the President of the Republic's road and motorway infrastructure development program, with a particular focus on training opportunities offered by institutions attached to the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Travaux Publics. Four presentations provided the audience with information on a number of topics: Profiles and skills required by employers in the public works sector, secondary trades in the public works sector as the basis for quality road infrastructure, training opportunities at vocational training centers for public works trades, training institutions under the MINTP umbrella, skills training and the economic benefits of road infrastructure projects. Speakers on these sub-themes were Virginie LEKEUFACK, Design Engineer, President of the ENSTP Management Committee, Michel MBEM NGOMBE, Director of Maintenance and Protection of Road Assets and Acting Director of Road Investments, Pr. Georges Elambo Nkeng, Director of ENSTP Yaoundé and Pr. Désiré AVOM, Agrégé des sciences économiques, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management at the University of Yaoundé II-Soa. Thanks to its diversity, the building and civil engineering sector offers countless career opportunities where young people can develop and flourish as part of a generally active team, in a rewarding profession. On the whole, it was noted that secondary trades occupy an important place in the realization of road projects, whether it be reinforcement, laboring, carpentry, among others. Public works, in particular, represent activities linked to public and urban development, through the construction and renovation of roads, streets, drains, sewage systems and all other infrastructure vital to our society. The ENSTP Director stressed that it is possible to enter the construction and public works sector without a diploma. Young people interested in this field, whether in school or not, were told that there are a multitude of options to explore, depending on their skills, preferences and career aspirations. The quality of road and motorway infrastructures depends on the work of engineers, but also on specialized workers, hence the need for qualitative and quantitative training of these personnel. As for skills training, it was pointed out that this contributes significantly to improving living conditions for the population and infrastructures in general. In his speech, the Minister of Public Works appealed to young Cameroonians of all school levels to be trained to DQP, CQP and above all VAE, as their socio-professional integration in the building and public works sector, and in road and motorway infrastructure, depends on it. From April 29 to 30, 2024, the esplanade of the regional delegation of public works in the Centre region will host an open house on all the training opportunities available in the 10 regional centers. Reactions Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi, MINTP « The truth is that the public works trades are all about support and execution. You can't imagine building a road without reinforcement and formwork, because the engineers who designed the road won't be doing the execution work. We've noticed a flurry of engineers and fewer and fewer support staff. The result is an inverted pyramid of employment in the public works sector, with a base rich in engineers but lacking in technicians and skilled workers, which sometimes delays execution because skills are in short supply. We need to give skills to young people in search of jobs, and this is the basis of the presidential decree which, in reorganizing the school system, created these technical training centers in the country's ten regions. ». Clément Noumsi

Born Halimatou Mahonde, the former Minister of Basic Education died on April 29 in Yaoundé, following an illness. The news fell like a knife on the morning of April 30, 2024. Haman Adama, former Minister of Basic Education and politician, has left her family to begin her journey into eternity. Originally from the Benoue department in the North region, she is a product of the Ecole Nationale d'Administration et de Magistrature (ENAM). She joined the government in 2000 as Secretary of State for Education, and was appointed Minister on August 08, 2004. Accused of misappropriation of public funds, she was arrested on June 06, 2010 after leaving the government on June 30, 2009, and replaced by Youssouf Adidja Alim, also from Benoue. After spending more than two years in the Yaoundé Kondengui central prison, she was finally notified of the charges against her. Arrested for embezzlement of nearly 1 billion CFA francs, the initial amount was reduced to around 100 million by the examining magistrate. The charges against her related to public contracts for the management of the minimum package, which is supposed to guarantee free basic education. Taking advantage of the provisions of the text governing the operation of the Special Criminal Court (TCS), which offers the accused the possibility of repaying the corpus delicti, Haman Adama will be released after returning the sum of 212.5 million CFA francs to the State. Julien Efila

That's the gist of the press conference held on April 29, 2024 in Yaoundé to mark the launch of the 14 th edition of Bartender's Week. On Monday April 29, the Syndicat national des Exploitants des Débits de Boissons (SYNADEBOC) launched the 14th edition of Bartender Week in Yaoundé. This week, which celebrates the bartending profession and highlights its contribution to the country's economic development, has become a tradition, but this year it has a particularly bitter taste, coming as it does on the eve of a likely increase in beverage prices. For some time now, barkeepers have been feeling the pinch. Their profit margins are suffering as a result of the many difficulties they encounter in the exercise of their profession, not least the abuse they suffer at the hands of brewery companies who are reluctant to honor their commitment to increase their rebates. “We would like our rebates to be increased from 250 to 500. They haven't been increased for 15 years, yet a resolution was passed at a recent meeting with the brewery companies to do so. Unfortunately, this resolution has not yet been implemented", said Roger Tapa, President of SYNADEBOC. That's why, he concludes, “as of May 10, we want to raise the price of drinks by 100 CFA francs a bottle”. According to SYNADEBOC members, it is therefore clear that, in the absence of an increase in rebates, they will have no alternative but to increase their profits. This is all the more true given that the managers of the drinking establishments say they are not encouraged by the State, which, instead of supporting them in view of the role they play in reducing unemployment, especially among young people, is instead robbing them. “We have another problem beyond that of rebates, that of our profit margin per bottle, which doesn't amount to much. In fact, the state gets more than 50% of every bottle sold, and doesn't want consumers to know. The real beneficiary and owner of the pubs is the State, but it doesn't want to take our charges into account. That's why we think the only way to solve our problem is for the State either to lower taxes in the pubs, or to allow us to increase them", Roger Tapa concludes. However, the threat posed by drinks outlet managers cannot succeed. Cameroonian regulations stipulate that brewery companies must inform distributors of the public prices of drinks, which must first be validated by the Ministry of Commerce. Julien Efila

That's what we learnt from our visit to the Cameroon Handball Federation this week to find out more about the disqualification of the women's handball team from the Olympic qualifying tournament in Hungary. The federation prefers to turn the page and look to the future. While some sports players feel that the federation has not done its job. While the Cameroon Handball Federation is keen to move on and forget the scenario of the lack of visas that led to the disqualification of the women's national handball team from the Olympic qualifying tournament from April 11 to 14 this year, this is not the case for some sports players who firmly believe that the problem stems directly from the negligence of the federation and the state of Cameroon, which do not take the sport seriously. Indeed, Paola Ebanga, one of the team's professional hanballers who had turned down the national selection because of certain irregularities, finds the situation unjustifiable: “Our Federation was very late in applying for visas. The competition has been scheduled since the World Cup, we've been waiting for it since October, the players are the same, the team hasn't changed. All we know is that the documents have not been validated. Which ones? Why? How? asks Paola Ebanga. The Indomitable Lioness of handball also points an accusing finger at the State, which doesn't take handball seriously: “The problem is also the State, if our sport was taken seriously, this wouldn't have happened”. The Cameroonian people have not digested the disqualification of the women's team from the Olympic qualifying tournament in favor of Great Britain. According to the federation's version of events, the German consulate in Yaoundé, which is responsible for visas, failed to examine the women's team's files for lack of insurance certificates. However, it is an environment of calm and silence that reigns within the Federation. That's what we found when we visited the Federation's offices in Yaoundé's administrative center, a stone's throw from the Sports Minister's office. In these offices, the people authorized to provide information to the media, starting with the Federation president and the communicators, are absent. However, an inside source tells us that the federation no longer wishes to talk about it, and is now thinking about the upcoming competitions with the other categories. At least, a few weeks ago, Son Daniel Injek, in charge of communications at the Cameroon Handball Federation, in an interview on public web television, pointed the finger at one of the officials at the German Embassy in Yaoundé, who was not convinced by Awa Aissa's answer to a question. A situation that is causing unrest within Cameroonian handball, and risks causing a diplomatic incident between the two countries. With Cameroon absent, the international federation has invoked article 4 paragraphs 1, 2 and 03 of its competition regulations to serve and find a replacement to take Cameroon's place at this tournament. Following an ordinary meeting of the IHF Executive Committee, several countries were approached. In the end, Great Britain was chosen to replace Cameroon, joining Hungary, Japan and Sweden. As for Cameroon, this was the only route leading to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, so Cameroonian handball will be one of the big absentees. J. Patrick DJON

Awareness-raising campaigns among the masses are among the steps that, overall, fit into the great race towards the prestigious Miss Cameroon crown, including the Miss Cameroon crown of the Cameroonian diaspora in Germany, which tagged a major resonance with the Cameroonian school community, through the educational talk organized on April 17, 2024 at the complexe scolaire de l'espérance (COPES), located in Yaoundé's omnisports district, under the theme: “the responsibility of the international community against violence against women and girls. “. An initiative of Candidate N° 8, KEUBOU Fallonne (of the Miss Cameroon contest of the Cameroonian diaspora in Germany), supported by the ACVEF association, of which she is the promoter. Several students from the last year of secondary school and the first year of secondary school attended the event, facing a panel made up of Dr Simon FOKA (psychologist), Julien BESSONG (ACVEF vice-president) and Madame NGUE Irène Patricia (educator). With the latter, they discussed topics relating to violence and education on menstrual hygiene. It was an enriching experience that resonated well with the students, who now know how to react when faced with physical, sexual or even moral violence. Student NGA OWONA Séraphine from Terminale A4Esp clearly understood the types of violence involved: “I learned that there are several types of violence, not just those perpetrated against women. We have physical violence, most often characterized by fights or beatings, and moral violence by insults. Speaking of sexual violence, it must be denounced because it can cause many problems in our society. Above all, we understand that from an early age, we must teach our little ones about the importance of women, and try to extinguish this negative image we have of women in our society", reacted student NGA OWONA after the talk. Participants in the talk received prizes including sanitary towels and t-shirts from candidate KEUBOU Falloonne, in support of her candidacy. It's a commendable event, and one that should become a permanent fixture. Candidate KEUBOU Fallonne is already making a name for herself in the field, increasing her chances of winning the crown at the Miss Cameroon final for the Cameroonian diaspora in Germany, scheduled for August 12, 2024, before going on to win the national Miss Cameroon crown for the current edition, with her social project “menstrual hygiene for young girls, the fight against STIs/STIs and drugs”. For the time being, KEUBOU Fallonne continues to stay the course through communication campaigns that could enable her to become the next Miss Cameroon. Bertin BIDJA.

Congo Brazzaville-born boxer Ardi Dasylva Ndembo, who was in a coma following blows to the head in his final Team Combat League heavyweight bout against Nestor Santana on April 06, 2024, has finally died after two weeks in a deep coma in a Miami hospital in the USA. Congolese talent hangs up the gangs Ardi Dasylva Ndembo was a passionate boxer and admirer of Cameroonian Francis Ngannou. He had competed in the heavyweight category of the Team Combat League for several years. Ndembo was knocked out by his Cuban opponent Nestor Santana in a Team Combat League heavyweight bout that left him in a coma for two weeks. The Congolese had fallen in the ring after receiving several violent blows to the back of the head on April 06. Following this incident, he was admitted to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, where, according to Congolese media reports, he suffered severe trauma. Dasylva Ndembo has been a success This was the ninth fight of his career, with eight victories to his credit, including 07 by K.O. He had a promising career ahead of him, but the referee's inability to protect the boxer turned the ring into a massacre. The Congolese community is outraged by the death, calling for an inquiry into the rules and safety of boxing matches. The sports world is calling for protective measures to be stepped up to avoid this kind of tragedy. As a reminder, Dasylva Ndembo, a boxer from Congo Brazzaville, died after two weeks in a coma in the United States at the age of 27, leaving his fans with the feeling of an unfinished career. J. Patrick DJON

Cameroon's national women's 15-a-side rugby team has been preparing for several months to take part in the Rugby Africa Cup of Nations in Madagascar 2023. The technical staff of Cameroon's national women's 15-a-side rugby team have been preparing for several months now to take part in the African Women's 15-a-side Rugby Cup of Nations in Madagascar. Out of a total of 42 players accepted for training in the Mefou and Akono departments in preparation for the competition, only 36 were selected at the first stage to continue their training in Akono. 06 players out of 42 were dismissed The coach of the national women's 15-a-side rugby team has thanked 06 players for the first stage of preparations for the continental tournament. They are Gaëlle Ngo Yebga, Bety Nick A Dang Awa, Cécile Zobo, Orianne Tankeu Ntchateu and Néoul Glwadys. They have left the team to make way for 36 players who will continue their training in Akono, at the end of which 28 players will be selected to take part in the competition. The competition will bring together four major nations in the discipline: South Africa, Kenya, Cameroon and Madagascar. As a reminder, the winning team of this African Rugby Nations Cup will represent Africa at the 2025 World Cup, and the runner-up will also take part in the World Cup, but in the third division. J. Patrick DJON

This was at the end of the first national forum of mayors on birth registration organized by the government with the support of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), held from April 26 to 27, 2024 in Yaoundé. The situation is alarming. For more than a decade, not only has the birth registration rate stagnated in Cameroon, it has actually been falling in some regions. According to statistics from the Ministry of Decentralization and Local Development, confirmed by UNICEF, nearly 7 million Cameroonians are without birth certificates, including over 1.5 million primary and nursery school pupils. And yet, the importance of this document not only in the life of an individual, but also for the country as a whole, needs no further demonstration. Making universal birth registration an essential issue in Cameroon's 360 communes: this was the commitment made at the end of this first forum, during which participants discussed the challenges, constraints and opportunities associated with this issue. Strategic focuses By consensus, the mayors and officers of the main civil registry centers, to which the secondary civil registry centers are attached, have adopted four strategic axes that will serve as their compass in favor of the objective: “one child, one birth certificate, one identity”. The first priority adopted by the mayors is decentralization and local planning. This will involve promoting birth registration as a right for every child born in a commune; putting in place all the necessary measures to establish and issue a birth certificate to every child; and involving traditional and religious leaders, women's associations, neighborhood and village committees and any other players likely to contribute to birth registration, to name but a few. As for the second axis, it envisages, among other things: improving and strengthening the partnership between the civil registry and the health sector by opening civil registry offices in health facilities. Or by strengthening support for community health agents to contribute more effectively to declaring births and issuing birth certificates. With regard to axis three on the financing of the civil registry system, the main thing to remember is that from now on, we'll be urgently lobbying the central government to adopt a special plan to make the direct and indirect costs of birth registration completely free of charge over a 12-month period. Last but not least, the mayors pledged to promote the adoption of digital technologies in civil registration, and to allocate sufficient resources to IT infrastructure and to programs and skills development for CTD staff to effectively manage and maintain digital civil registration systems. Let's hope that this first forum is not just one too many. Mountains have a habit of giving birth to mice under our skies. Julien Efila RÉACTION Joachim Metoh Mbah, maire de la commune de Babessi, département du Ngo-Ketunjia, région du Nord-Ouest « Nous attendons énormément de ce forum » Le problème que nous rencontrons dans notre commune est celui de l’insuffisance d’enregistrement des naissances. Des enfants naissent et les parents, surtout en zone rurale, ne les établissent pas ce précieux document dans les délais prévus par la loi. Toute chose qui complique la situation car, au-delà du délai de trois mois, ils sont obligés de faire recours à la justice. Et lorsque cela n’est pas fait, on se retrouve avec des enfants de 09 ans sans actes de naissance. Un réel handicap pour ces derniers lorsqu’ils doivent participer aux examens officiels. Nous attendons donc énormément de ce premier forum national des maires sur l’enregistrement systématique des naissances parce que les thématiques abordées sont en adéquation avec le problème posé. Propos recueillis par Julien Efila

Under the theme “Veterinarians are key players in healthcare" World Veterinary Day 2024 (April 27) is the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of the work carried out in clinics, farms and stables. The conference room of the Centre regional delegation for livestock, fisheries and animal industries in Mvog-Betsi was the setting for this commemoration. It was chaired by Minepia IG Philippe Didier Engamba, representing the Minister on the last Saturday in April, to exchange views with public and private players on this central theme. In his welcoming remarks, the President of the National Order of Veterinarians of Cameroon set the scene by outlining the history of this day and the evolution of this profession in our country since 2013 when it joined the international body. He hailed the progress made, with the presence of veterinarians in many decision-making spheres, such as the Zoonosis program, as indicators of the global health approach known as “One Health”. For Dr Didier Philippe Engamba, this celebration highlights the veterinary contribution to animal health, veterinary public health and animal welfare. The themes are designed to guide reflection on the future of the veterinary profession. This year's theme is particularly important, given the threats to public health posed by emerging and re-emerging zoonoses, antimicrobial resistance and the risks associated with the sanitary quality of foodstuffs of animal and fish origin. Today, it is acknowledged that 60% of human pathogens are of animal origin, while 75% of emerging animal diseases are likely to be transmitted to humans. Against this backdrop, Cameroon's veterinarians must continue to play their role as the first line of defence in protecting the health of the population. Reactions Dr Garga Gonne, Director of Veterinary Services at Minepia « This day, which has been held since 2000, gives us the opportunity to discuss the various themes likely to continue to promote and improve animal production. The theme of this year's event is: “Veterinarians are key players in health”. This theme highlights the important role played by veterinarians in the fight against animal diseases, but also in the prevention of public health through the fight against zoonoses, which are diseases transmissible from animals to humans and vice versa. They are also involved in food health inspection, to ensure food safety and provide consumers with soluble foodstuffs. ». Dr Albert Ichakou, President of the Cameroon Order of Veterinarians « In our country, there are three training schools, and we currently have almost 1,200 veterinary nurses regularly registered with the Order of Nurses, and present in most or all of the country's départements. Production strongholds are those with the highest density of vets, because we need to bring service closer to livestock farmers. As the Director of Veterinary Services so aptly put it, when we diagnose disease in animals and that disease is contained and treated, it means that humans are spared. The fact that we inspect foodstuffs also goes in this direction. We fight particularly against the major (zoonoses) but common diseases, it's the role of the veterinarian upstream to diagnose and treat these diseases to avoid contamination of humans. We also treat pets, and the well-being of these animals is of paramount importance to their owners. ». Clément Noumsi

Boulevard du 20 mai in Yaoundé was the starting point and finish line of the workers' sports march this Saturday, April 27, 2024, with Minister of Labor and Social Security Grégoire Owona at the forefront. Departing from boulevard du 20 mai for poste centrale, then avenue Kennedy, montée Anne rouge, avenue des banques, Minrex, collège de la retraite, rond-point Hilton then back to square one at the boulevard, such was the itinerary of this workers' march on Saturday April 27, 2024. The theme of this 138th edition is “Constructive social dialogue, a factor for promotion, decent work and social progress”. The related activities were launched on April 24 in Nkoteng by the Minister of Labour, who met with Sosucam employees and employers at a meeting following a guided tour of the Nkoteng plant facilities. The Minister of Labor thanked Minister Talba Malla, President of the Federation of Sport for All, for his presence at the march, and the Secretary of State for Roads at the Ministry of Public Works, who had come to support the workers from all sides. Reaction Isaac Bissala, président UGTC « I think that this link can lead people to be more supportive because they find themselves sharing something more than just work with sport. This solidarity can help because the social dialogue is not only to come and exchange but even with gestures in sport. I ask the workers to continue to trust us (UGTC), a lot of things are in sight, there are retirees who are there, even those from the informal sector. ». Clément Noumsi

The mayors came from all regions of the country, and some agreed to give us their impressions and expectations following the organization of this 1st national forum on universal birth registration. Reactions Raymond Epassy Doumbe, 1st deputy mayor of Dizangue, Littoral region « As you know, Dizangue is home to a large community of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the northwest and west, as well as two agro-industries. Density is starting to be a problem, as are the distances between the villages and the commune's chief town. As a result, many children are born without birth certificates, and the 90-day time limit seems to be a problem because it's difficult to drag children before the judge with witnesses so that he can authorize the drawing up of the certificate. We ask the authorities to allow us to think about this problem of birth certificates, even at the last moment. ». Yannick Ayissi Eloundou, Mayor of Yaoundé II Centre region « We have taken stock of the nearly 2,000 citizens of our commune who do not have birth certificates, and all the necessary steps have been taken, but we have come up against a stumbling block at court level, because in order for the procedure to be completed, the necessary steps must be taken with the judicial authorities. We hope that, at the end of this forum, we'll be able to get some help, because the financial cost is enormous, especially for all these destitute families. It's a right, and this birth certificate gives everyone the right to education, health, nationality and much more. This generates costs in terms of regularization to enable these people to benefit from it. The group most concerned are children, so we need to find lasting solutions to help establish birth certificates for children who don't have them. And through this forum, we hope that solutions will be found to this problem. As a prelude to this forum, I took part in the preparatory workshop held in Ebolowa last March. And I can assure you that the mayors worked very hard with Minddevel and UNICEF officials. I believe that today, everything that was said that day will be proposed and suggested to the mayors during these two days, so that at the end of this forum, a charter of all the mayors of Cameroon will be signed to make it easier for the majority of Cameroonians, especially children without birth certificates, to benefit. The most important thing is to make this action permanent, so that in the future some people will no longer find their way around. ». Mme OSIANEBOM épse ENANGA, mayor of NITOUKOU Centre region « I assure you, it's a problem of will and determination. I share with you the experience of Nitoukou, which is not covered by mobile operators, but we were able to install an internet connection to be in contact with the Bunec management. We did it to save our information and we made an advocacy to the DG of Bunec who came to install us a software with all its apparatus which enables us to make the digitalization of our documents. This is possible elsewhere, as Nitoukou is one of the low-income communes that are highly indebted, Yes we can. As the head of UNICEF said, if we want to defeat the scourge of ghost children, we must have a common will. ». Mamadou Ahiwa, mayor of Ngong North region « I'm against extending the 90-day deadline, because even if we leave it for 5 years, there will always be some latecomers. We need to get to grips with the problem of missing birth certificates, take the bull by the horns, and each municipal executive needs to work hard to reduce the birth certificate deficit. In Ngong, we have counted 19,682 children without birth certificates, and with the results of this forum, I'm convinced we can close the gap. ». Clément Noumsi

Placed under the patronage of the President of the Republic, the event was organized under the auspices of Minddevel and UNICEF. Over the past ten years, the birth registration rate has remained stagnant, yet maternity wards are still full. More than 7 million Cameroonians lack birth certificates, including almost one and a half million children in school, yet birth certificates are very important not only for the individual, but also for public policy planning. The two-day event, which took place on Mont Nkol-Nyada, comes to a close this Saturday, April 27, 2024. The contours and objectives of the event were presented to the press last Monday at a conference given by Minister Georges Elanga Obam. The aim was to take stock of birth registration and propose solutions to the problems plaguing the sector. At the forum's opening ceremony on Friday April 26, Minddevel Georges Elanga Obam, representing the first head of government, recalled that “the forum's importance is clear, which is why the Head of State agreed to its being held under his patronage. The problem of 7 million Cameroonians without birth certificates, including almost one and a half million children, remains the main cause of this forum. The forum's ambition was to solve a major problem by mobilizing all the partners and players in the process to ensure that registration takes place at birth. A number of actions have been undertaken, including the modernization of the legal framework governing the management of civil status, the digitization operations to be put in place, and awareness-raising and parent education initiatives. We hope that, at the end of the meeting, a charter will be signed, so that mayors, technical and financial partners will be the leading players everywhere”. Several national and international partners took part in this 1st forum, presenting their achievements in the field alongside communities. Clément Noumsi

It was on the occasion of World Book and Copyright Day, 2024 edition. The courtyard of one of the wards of Mbalmayo prison hosted the gnouf jazz reading event organized by Open Show Management ( OSM) under the leadership of its promoter Ondoa Kalara, on Wednesday April 24, 2024. The jazz reading meetings - CM, are moments where participants engage in reading aloud accompanied by music with jazz flavors. The 4th edition of this cultural event in a prison environment in the city of Mbalmayo, under the theme: “musical education and reading culture”, radiated great emulation between the invited artists and the prisoners who got people talking their talents and their love for books and reading. Nga Ndongo, one of the detainees, made his voice vibrate with an extract from the book AKEVA and MAMI WATA by Ange DJOKY with back-up artist POLICEMAN, who beyond his performance as a guest artist, also accompanied the all the performances with his piano. Other inmates took part in the game of slam and singing, recounting their stays in prison with all the melancholy that carried away the public. The warm atmosphere featured MGD the Psy-slameuse who rocked the audience with her title the book. The artist BAKA BAKA, pygmy from eastern Cameroon, soldier of ancestral culture, proud of his roots, has established a jazz resonance on the premises. Equally unique instruments: his voice, his body, the flute, and many others, to show the dimension and place of jazz in Africa in general and in Cameroon in particular. A musical genre that is celebrated every end of April around the world. At the end of numerous events and interventions on World Book and Copyright Day and World Jazz Day, donations were handed over to the detainees. Quiz games also allowed them to win prizes. Ondoa Kalara and the entire Open Show Management team, in collaboration with the Mbalmayo prison administration, thus contributed to the smiles of the prisoners and detected in them several useful values for society. With such activity, we end up understanding that being a prisoner is not inevitable but one stage of life among many others, despite everything, no one would want to find themselves behind bars. The editorial staff of www.afriqueenveveil.org takes this opportunity to wish a Happy Jazz Festival to the entire artistic community. Bertin BIDJA

The CDHC makes its “Aggiornamento” by publishing in twelve points the highlights of the human rights situation in Cameroon for the year 2023. Professor James Gabriel Mouangue Kobila intends to anchor this institution on the path to modernity with a toll-free number, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts. Attached are all of the violations summarized in twelve points as well as the actions carried out in twelve points. Clément Noumsi