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The 2025 presidential election is just around the corner. While some are quietly gearing up for the continuity of power, coming up with increasingly sophisticated strategies to consolidate it day by day, others are wasting time fixating on wild theories about the health of Mr. Paul Biya. However, with or without him, the Cameroonian people need to move forward, doing their best to focus on the big challenge we all face: development.   The task is all the more immense and the stakes too high to pin the collective destiny of an entire people on the fate of just one man, no matter how significant he may be at the end of his career. It should also be noted that decency would dictate that, in these difficult circumstances, we show restraint and empathy for the very person who, whether we like it or not, has led Cameroon and left his mark on it in his own way. Instead of nitpicking about the fate of one individual, even if he holds some importance, the opposition should remember the people and rise to meet the desire for change that is deeply felt by the population, in order to create a new order that fosters peace and happiness for all. To achieve this, all political actors should come together, united in purpose, to present a strong front in the electoral process, through a presidential election that is clean, fair, and consensual, capable of delivering the tangible results that the suffering people are counting on. This process should be monitored and overseen as much as possible by patriotic forces from all sides, especially those of the opposition, eager to bring a fresh impetus to the rebuilding of our country, driven by integrity, solidarity, and an unstoppable desire for progress. To make this happen, we really need to embrace a genuine desire to break free from the stagnation that the people are currently living in. A people suffocated by years of inaction, where time has come to a standstill, trapping the population in a sort of regression in their lives, more reminiscent of the Nile region than of modern times. A disillusioned people burdened by various economic crimes that have largely gone unpunished, and which still weigh down development today, due to the enormous damage suffered, from moral, economic, social, cultural, and environmental perspectives. A people that continues to bear the yoke of misery and poverty for the majority. One might have thought that in the face of such an urgent situation, the so-called opposition politicians would tone down their oversized egos and focus on ways to bring about real change by promoting a single opposition candidate. Not at all!!! The old demons of personal glory-seeking persist. They jeopardize genuine hopes and threaten the only real opportunities available for the people to finally free themselves from the burdens of history. Old disputes resurface, undermining the conclusion of change in an environment more competitive than ever, even within the opposition camp. It must be said that in this crocodile-infested swamp, the other side isn’t easily fooled. Maneuvering in the shadows, they promote a slew of sham political parties, trying to overshadow the real ones and will rely, as in 2018, on coalitions of parties that are just as murky and nonexistent on the ground. Ghost parties, which are actually utopian, unreal on the political chessboard. Administrative parties, which only exist in the reality of a Minister in charge, skilled in the art of manipulation. As always, and for a long time now, opposition protests are being stifled, meetings are banned, while shadowy figures are secretly trying to undermine any idea of unity. But in the blazing furnace that lies ahead, the people shouldn't be fooled. Used to electoral games and the tricks put in place since independence, they should be wiser. It must be said that the ruling party is a long-established organization, seasoned in battles, including the most intricate ones. In fact, the RDPC was preceded by the UNC, which itself came from the UC. All these names actually refer to a single entity. It may renew itself, but it retains its initial constitutional DNA, which is the perpetual hold on power. This means that the people need to be extra vigilant if they want to put an end to more than sixty years of a history filled with betrayals, renunciations, political deceit, large-scale sabotage, and any avant-garde actions for progress and social peace. Under these circumstances, it goes without saying that those in power cannot suddenly change their unfair methods to regain political holiness overnight. This means that the people must stay calm and bear the responsibility for their political future during the upcoming elections. To achieve this, opposition leaders should silence their egos and serve a single cause: change. The population should learn to steer clear of empty electoral promises. Such an attitude means not jeopardizing the future of an entire nation for a handful of rice. The youth, who are the most affected by the current regime's management, should refuse to get caught up in electoral fraud for a few banknotes. We believe that rather than being cursed, Cameroon is a proud and dignified country that will sooner or later catch up with the course of history, waiting for the necessary spark to regain its vitality. The upcoming presidential election could, in this regard, serve as a true wake-up call.   Maurice TIENTCHEU KAMENI

Tuesday, June 18, 2024 was all about discussing the bill No. 2056/PJL/AN allowing the President to approve Cameroon's joining of the United Nations conventions on stateless persons' status and reducing statelessness cases. These conventions were adopted on September 28, 1954, and August 30, 1961, in New York, USA. The text describes the bill authorizing the President of the Republic to ratify the Protocol amending the Marrakesh Agreement establishing the World Trade Organization by including the fisheries subsidies agreement in the annex of 1A of June 17, 2022, and the bill authorizing the President to ratify the partnership agreement between the European Union and its Member States of the Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS-EU) signed on November 15, 2023, in Samoa. The discussions were led by the Honorable BANMI Emmanuel, President of the Foreign Affairs Committee. The bills on the agenda were respectively defended by the Minister of Justice, Laurent ESSO, for bill No. 2056/PJL/AN, the Minister of Commerce, Luc Magloire MBARGA ATANGANA, for bill No. 2057/PJL/AN, and the Minister of Economy, Planning, and Regional Development, Alamine OUSMANE MEY, for bill No. 2055/PJL/AN. They were all assisted by the Minister of External Relations, Lejeune MBELLA MBELLA. Reaction Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, Mincommerce « This is about the bill authorizing the President of the Republic to ratify the WTO agreement on fisheries subsidies from June 17, 2022. The agreement is the result of extensive work by the WTO DG, who, upon taking office, saw that the organization was stuck. It's about taking step by step and finalizing specific agreements. It's about supporting developing countries and the least developed countries with specific measures that highlight the principle of special and differential treatment because not all member states are in the same boat. It's about putting an end to the overexploitation of our coastal and fishing resources due to foreign vessels and those engaging in illegal fishing in territorial waters. It's a significant and essential step forward from the meeting that our country will host the 14th Ministerial Conference in 2026. ». Alamine Ousmane Mey, Minepat « After rich and intense discussions in which Cameroon participated, we can say that this agreement gives us the opportunity to look ahead to the next 20 years with serenity and determination in pooling efforts of the European Union, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific to address the priorities of security, governance, democracy, rule of law, inclusion in development, mobility, and climate change. The issues that require much more solidarity, multilateralism, and greater involvement of countries on the continent. One exclusivity of this agreement is that it advocates for three protocols for Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. This shows that the specificities of these regions are taken into account in resolving their problems. Lastly, the funding that will be mobilized will allow our country to continue the SND30, to pursue its development towards the SDGs, and also to achieve the African Union's Agenda 2063. We will ensure that Cameroon's interests are preserved and represent the expectations of our people who want to be involved in this development process. ». Clément NOUMSI

Minepia and CBC sign a partnership agreement for the implementation of the funds. The ceremony took place at the Hilton Hotel in Yaoundé on Tuesday June 18, 2024. It took place in the presence of officials from the African Development Bank and the African Development Fund. The purpose of the agreement signed between the Commercial Bank of Cameroon (CBC) and the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries (Minepia) is to manage the refinancing facility for the livestock and fish farming value chain compartment of the fund to facilitate the supply of credit for the development of agricultural, livestock and fish farming value chains (2FC-CVAEP). This agreement addresses the problem of access to financing for SMEs and Cameroonian POs in general, and the livestock and fish farming value chains in particular, which represent an important economic breeding ground for growth, entrepreneurship, the fight against poverty and youth unemployment. The aim is to modernize the entire value chain by specializing the various links. Dr Taïga, Minister of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries (Minepia), and Jean EliséGouater, Deputy Managing Director of the Commercial Bank of Cameroon (CBC), initialled the document. Reaction Dr Taïga, Minepia « The main aim of this agreement is to find resources to finance productive investment activities. As you know, banks finance school loans, but we're looking for a paradigm shift by proposing that they take an interest in the livestock sector (poultry, small ruminants, pork, etc.). We want to see banks and MFIs financing the entire livestock and fish farming production value chain. This is what justifies the agreement we have just signed with the CBC, which has a central role to play with our financial partners.». Clément Noumsi

The Minister of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries, Dr Taïga, presided over the ceremony to present the national development plan for the dairy sector in Cameroon. The ceremony was attended by technical and financial partners. The presentation will be followed by a committee to validate the plan for effective implementation by 2025. In his speech, the Minister stressed that this is a first phase, which will be followed by validation and implementation in the field over a total period of 20 years, with an initial phase of 10 years. The ambition to be emerging in 2035 is guided by a compass that is the SND30. And milk is one of the 5 speculations that will have to translate the government's will into action. It's a good start with import substitution, which will reduce imports and dependence on the outside world to feed the population. Financed by GIZ with the support of other technical and financial partners who are accompanying Cameroon in its vision to 2035. Reaction Dr Albert DOUFFISA, Consultant « We presented the national dairy industry development plan, which aims to significantly increase milk production, not only to supply milk in sufficient quantities, but also to limit the outflow of foreign currency through exports. National production is really very low, and according to minepia statistics for 2022, production was 160,000 tonnes, with 20,000 tonnes imported, giving a total of less than 200,000 tonnes. And yet consumption should be 7 kilos per capita, with an estimated population of 27 million, we're at 7 liters per capita instead of 40 liters per capita per year, so the gap is still very wide. This plan is the right response to try and get back on track, with important points such as genetics, animal feed, animal health and dairy product processing. It is important to have derivatives such as cheese, butter and many others, supported by good governance and a good development research program. ». Clément Noumsi

Alamine Ousmane Mey, Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, was granted an audience this afternoon, Tuesday June 18, 2024, with Valentin KATZER, 1st Secretary of the German Embassy in Cameroon, who had arrived at the end of his stay in our country. Just a few days after the visit to Cameroon of Christpoh EICHEN, head of the German delegation and representative of the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. At a time when intergovernmental negotiations have just reached a new stage. A bilateral relationship under good auspices for many years. This was an ideal opportunity to review the excellent cooperation that exists between the two countries. Reaction Valentin KATZER, 1st secretary of the German embassy in Cameroon. « Today's audience with the Minister of the Economy gave us the opportunity to say goodbye, because after four years, my stay on Cameroonian soil is over. It was the right moment to thank the Minister of Economy for the excellent quality of the relationship that exists between Cameroon and Germany, and the working relationship we've had over the past four years, which has enabled us to advance our cooperation. I would like to thank Minepat, who has been an excellent partner, and we hope it will continue to be so.». Clément Noumsi

On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, the teams of the company CABTE are out in the field. Pending the signature of the contract that will enable the production of aggregates for the start of asphalting, work is underway to lay concrete gutters in the urban section, pour concrete ditches at kilometre point 17+700, backfill from borrowed material at kilometre point 27+400, lay the base course at kilometre point 28+600 and prefabricate gutters, scuppers and kerbs. Clément NOUMSI

For Imam kueti Ibrahim of the Mosque in theEssomba district, the principle is to take up the gesture with all its symbolism as Ibrahim the father of the Believers did. It (ʿÎd al-kabîr) is celebrated on 10 dhû al-hijja, the 12th month of the Hegira calendar, which is also the high point of the pilgrimage to Mecca. For those not making the pilgrimage, this feast is marked by a prayer followed by the sacrifice of an animal; for those in Mecca, the sacrifice constitutes the final rite of the pilgrimage. The Prophet instituted this festival in the second year of the Hegira in Medina, when neither he nor the Muslim refugees were able to make the pilgrimage to Mecca. This feast has a different name in different Muslim countries: Tabaski in most African countries, Bakar ʿîd in India, Büyük Bayram or KurbanBayrami in Turkey... Sacrifice is an obligatory sunna (mu'akkada ʿalâ al-kifâya) for any Muslim able to buy a beast. Sacrificial victims include camels, cattle and sheep. All victims must be without defect. The sacrifice must be performed by a man in a state of ritual purification, and ritual slaughter must follow a well-established procedure: pronouncing the tasmiya (Pronouncing the [divine] Name, i.e. reciting the basmala: "In the name of God, the Clement, the Merciful" ); The invocation of the basmala, at the beginning of any notable act, calls down on that act the divine blessing, sacralizes it; make the blessing on the Prophet, salât ʿala an-nabî; orient the beast towards the qibla, Mecca; pronounce a triple takbîr, before and after the tasmiya; ask that the sacrifice be accepted with benevolence. Slaughter must be by throat-cutting. It is not permitted to stun the victim beforehand, nor to kill it by cutting the neck, as it is believed that these methods would prevent the animal from completely bleeding to death, which is how it was done before the faithful left for family festivities. Clément Noumsi

For as long as soccer has existed in our country, no player, professional or otherwise, has ever made such an indelible mark on people's minds, both through his actions and the controversies surrounding him. The ongoing confrontation between Samuel Eto'o Fils and the Ministry of Oversight rings in the ears of the people as an anthem to break away from ties with a regime whose lukewarm track record offers little hope to most Cameroonians. The twists and turns of such a confrontation have yet to have their final say, especially with the MINESEP/FECAFOOT saga only just beginning. Given the deep divisions within public opinion and the subtle power struggles within the current regime, it seems likely that this confrontation will persist. Hidden within the system, some manipulate from the shadows, while others eagerly await their moment to reveal their own cards. Football has thus become a coveted prize, drawing ambitions in a country marked by the intellectual poverty of its elites and the visible material poverty of its lower classes. Under these conditions, football becomes the sole yardstick against which visibility of a failed regime in nearly every other social and economic aspect of life can be judged. Clinging to this lifeline like a drifting shipwreck, the regime tries to seize it at all costs to gain some legitimacy. However, unlike past fortunes, this time there are disagreements with a once trusted ally, which some within the regime cry betrayal about. Hence Samuel Eto'o Fils' recent statement on June 14th via Instagram, loudly proclaiming he is not a candidate for the 2025 presidential election: "The Presidency of FECAFOOT is not a stepping stone to the Presidency of the Republic." Yet, such a statement may not reassure the regime's top brass, for whom power for power's sake is the only worthy motto, no matter the cost. Eto'o Fils himself expressed indignation in his Instagram post against the "defamation" aiming to "bring him down," and the "bad faith" that burdens him. He further claims that rumors about his presidential ambitions have caused suffering to his family, fear among his friends, and have hindered his sports projects. He asserts these rumors threaten his safety. Is Eto'o Fils being intimidated due to his alleged political ambitions? If so, by whom? Why should Eto'o Fils not be allowed to run for the presidency, given he is as much a Cameroonian citizen as any other who might aspire to such a position? In reality, Samuel Eto'o Fils' Instagram post, far from clearing up misunderstandings, raises more questions than it answers. It sheds light on the mafia-like practices within the regime, where intimidation, threats, and blackmail thrive, especially when it concerns the country's highest office. It indicates that the extreme control some top figures in the regime exert over this position is far from over. Eto'o Fils' statement reveals that the democratic pretension in our country is a constant charade and that the path to achieving it, if not an illusion, remains a formidable challenge. It underscores that abuses in Cameroon are not limited to the impoverished and marginalized but extend to individuals of all ranks and those who have served the nation. It demonstrates that the democratic pretension in Cameroon is anything but smooth sailing. It consists of turbulent waters dominated by cascades, falls, and underhanded tactics that are now more apparent as the 2025 presidential election approaches. Eto'o's post reflects the savagery Achille Mbembe describes as inherent in the practices of power, driven by a fierce determination to perpetuate itself against all odds. It points to the extreme channels used to channel positive energies that could arise on the eve of this election, which for the majority of the people should be a pivotal moment of change. At the same time, Eto'o's statement foreshadows that the paths to freedom will never be fully open unless the people, when the time comes, decide otherwise. TIENTCHEU KAMENI Maurice

« The role of the archivist is a fascinating one: there are few professions whose impact can be said to last for centuries. An archivist must have a passion for history, an eye for detail and a genuine commitment to public service. In return, they look after the collective memory of their society. To do this, as a support function for the administration, he or she must ensure that what is done is consistent with the regulatory corpus in force. Until a few years ago - and this is still the case for many executives - an assignment to the archives was considered a punishment. In spite of themselves, all the early professionals left the archives to seek better fortunes elsewhere. In Cameroon, archives have been governed since December 19, 2000 by Law N°2 000/010, backed up by an implementing decree, Decree N°2001/958/P.M of November 1, 2001. These regulations confirm that the activities that make up the day-to-day life of an archive have a legal origin, or at least a strong legal connotation, linked to the communicability and traceability of documents or their certification. For the public, this is the most obvious evidence. The legal rules applicable to archives stem from the primacy of administrative law. The present law is an invitation to all civil servants to make the constitution, preservation and conservation of this collective memory their fundamental concern and imperative duty. Unfortunately, twenty-four years on, it is difficult to see what real archival work has been undertaken. No study or reflection has been carried out to identify the added value of archives in our administrations. No roadmap for the implementation of this law in the public sector has been drawn up. The only visible signs of progress are the mention of an archive department in the organization charts of government departments, or the swearing-in of a few agents. Rare are the structures where there is a space dedicated to the conservation of archives which respects the norms governing them. And when this is the case, the location and layout of this space is far from complying with archiving standards. So some people are in prison because there are no archives to exonerate them, and some aren't because there are no documents to prove their actions. The head of the organization is the true owner of the documents produced or received by his collaborators. One of his or her first duties must be to set up a management system for all information flows. Law n°2018/011 of July 11, 2018 on the code of transparency and good governance in the management of public finances has strengthened the legal framework for the management of accounting records. Unfortunately, this law too seems to be neglected by several decision-makers. To better draw their attention, in an article “pleading for the review of appointment acts in Cameroon” we wanted to invite all public finance managers to remind the beneficiaries of appointment acts of their obligations, which must be concomitant with the benefits. So article 2 should read as follows: The person concerned shall be entitled to the benefits and shall be subject to the obligations provided for by the regulations in force. At a time when most countries are committed to building their emergence, it is essential to take stock of the current state of the art in the field of archiving, to re-examine training curricula in the light of experience in the field, and to pave the way for bridging the digital divide by taking advantage of the opportunities offered by technology. It is therefore urgent to diagnose the achievements and/or failures of the various experiments, to point out as clearly as possible the challenges to be met in the short and medium term, and to build a genuine “implementation” roadmap for each project identified and matured. In Africa, the archivist's main mission, rather than building memory or managing heritage documents, should be to ensure that organizations are able to trace administrative documents, whether produced or received. It's also worth noting that archives are not just a memorial, but also an integral part of governance, an essential aid to decision-making: WHEN DECISIONS ARE MADE, the need for archives is inescapable. In the event of a legal vacuum, case law can only be exploited if previous decisions have been properly archived. On the one hand, management of the present, preparation for the future, modernization, decentralization and the culture of national unity are at the heart of the actions of African governments. On the other hand, the new dynamics generated by the digital era, with its various forms of disruptive innovation, are forcing all organizations to face a strategic inflection point, and are forcing us to define new competencies for the archivist. Based on e-governance, and considering the need to manage hybrid archives, how can we put in place management procedures and tools to bridge the digital divide, and accompany, or even accelerate, the march towards the emergence of our countries? The strategy for moving towards emergence should include the archiving function. This archiving function will help us to: 1. Position time as a determining factor in the second phase of the 2035 vision; 2. Set the course - define the route - start the locomotive; 3. Position blockchain as a solution to several current problems in Cameroon; 4. Inhibit the paradox of our administrations. Information is what drives the Administration, but examples such as unforeseen events, delays in project execution, and poor time management show a lack of control over information traceability in various administrations. The application of fundamental principles of the Administration, such as continuity and mutability of public service, and equality before public service, should lead public service employees to take a different view of document archiving. Since the Administration is written, proper archiving is both a legal and managerial requirement. We must leverage the subtle power offered by archive systems. It is advantageous to know that setting up an archive management system is generally: 50% organizational; 25% regulatory; 25% computerized. It is urgent for Cameroon to develop a real strategic plan for archive development. This plan should include the construction of document storage centers, the identification of archive collections to be processed, the evaluation of associated costs, and potential sources of funding. It is important to keep in mind that carrying out all these projects will undoubtedly require a review of training curricula. Indeed, practical experiences must be drawn upon, relying on three pillars: Process-archives and development. Victor KAMTO Expert archivage managérial Victor.kamtok@gmail.com +237 696 156 981

The players of the Cameroonian national men's football team have been welcomed by two different technical staffs at the Hilton Hotel in Yaoundé since June 2, 2024, where they are staying for the preparatory stage of the matches Cameroon - Cape Verde and Cameroon - Angola, counting for the qualifiers of the 2026 World Cup. This situation clearly demonstrates that the conflict between Minsep and Fecafoot remains unresolved. "Atmosphere at the Hilton Hotel in Yaoundé" "At the entrance of the Hilton Hotel in Yaoundé, located in the heart of the political capital of Cameroon, a first meeting is taking place between the technical staff of the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education and that of the Cameroonian Football Federation. The two sides positioned themselves at the entrance of the Hilton Hotel in Yaoundé on June 2, 2024, with the common objective of welcoming the Indomitable Lions who are preparing to take part in the two qualification matches for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup." Indeed, Marc Brys, who made peace with the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation, Samuel Eto'o, after heated exchanges at the federation, arrived at the Hilton Hotel in Yaoundé late in the evening and was welcomed by Benjamin Didier Banlock, the coordinator of the national teams appointed by Narcisse Mouellé Kombi, Minister of Sports and Physical Education. A few minutes later, Faris Moumbagna, center-forward for the French club Marseille, was welcomed by Benoît Amgbwa, the coordinator of the national teams appointed by the Cameroonian Football Federation. While the ministry's staff is on-site, Moumi Ngamaleu's arrival is witnessed. The Dynamo Moscow player was greeted by the Cameroonian Football Federation's staff led by Benoît Amgbwa and Thierry Ndoh, respectively the coordinator of the national teams and the team press officer. Several other arrivals took place, including Bryan Mbeumo and Michael Ngadeu. Cold war between the two camps Between the two camps, there is no noticeable smooth contact. In fact, sometimes scenes of tension are witnessed. A crowd of fans gathered in one corner cheered on the captain of the Cameroon Indomitable Lions, Vincent Aboubacar, upon his arrival. Vincent Aboubacar seemed to know the corridor leading to his room better. We witnessed the arrival of Simon Omossola, escorted by Thierry Ndoh, who seemed to have a friendly relationship with the Cameroonian goalkeeper. Harold Moukoudi and Tchatchoua also arrived. Clearly awaited since the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Carlos Baleba made his debut appearance with the Cameroon national team. He was welcomed by Benjamin Didier Banlock, a member of the Minsep staff. In fact, a good dozen selected players have been staying at the Hilton Hotel in Yaoundé since the marathon evening of Sunday, June 2, 2024. Other key players such as André Franck Zambo Anguissa, Èric Maxime Choupo, and Nouhou Tolo are still expected. J. Patrick DJON

Le président de la Fédération Camerounaise de Football, Samuel Eto'o, a demandé au Ministre des Sports et de l'Éducation Physique, Narcisse Mouellé Kombi, de mettre à la disposition de l'équipe nationale masculine de football les entraîneurs Martin Ndtoungou Mpile et David Pagou, respectivement entraîneur adjoint numéro 01 et numéro 02 des Lions Indomptables du Cameroun. The saga that unfolded over several episodes seemed to be coming to an end with the apologies offered by the President of the Cameroonian Football Federation, Samuel Eto'o, to Marc Brys on May 30, 2024. However, the conflict persists. The president of FECAFOOT, Samuel Eto'o, has sent a correspondence to the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Narcisse Mouellé Kombi. In this letter, he asks the sports authority to make David Pagou and Martin Ndtoungou Mpilé available to the national men's football team. The correspondence from the President of FECAFOOT requesting the Minister to make Martin Ndtoungou Mpile and David Pagou available to the national team. Indeed, David Pagou, a physical education and sports teacher serving at the Directorate of the Center for Works of the University of Yaoundé I, appointed assistant coach number 02 by the President of FECAFOOT Samuel Eto'o, has been assigned to Salapoumbé, a locality located about 200 kilometers from Gari Gombo and 400 kilometers from the city of Bertoua in the East Region of Cameroon. His colleague, Tinkeu Nguimgou, has been assigned to Moloundou. David Pagou, Assistant Coach number 02 of the Cameroon Indomitable Lions. The Minister Mouellé Kombi, by assigning members of the technical staff of the FECAFOOT to the East forest, aimed to resolve part of the conflict between him and the FECAFOOT regarding the appointment of a technical staff for the Cameroon Indomitable Lions. However, the President of the FECAFOOT, concerned about the serenity of the technical staff of the Indomitable Lions for the two upcoming official matches on June 8 and 11 in Yaoundé and Angola respectively, has sent a letter to Minister Mouellé Kombi. In this letter, the President of the FECAFOOT requests the availability of Martin Ndtoungou Mpile and David Pagou for the Cameroonian national team. Unless both parties reopen the disputes, it is clear that Cameroon is eager for victories. As for the new technical staff led by Marc Brys, they will have to work hard to maintain the high standard of qualification for the 2026 World Cup. J. Patrick DJON

"On Thursday, May 30, 2024, at the Djeuga Palace Hotel in Yaoundé, the press conference of the National Association of Beer Consumers (ANCB) was held. Fortuné Matiké, National President of Beer Consumers in Cameroon, presided over the conference, with Madame Laure Njike, another member of the ANCB, in attendance." "The president of the ANCB cited two main reasons for the scarcity of beer in the current market. Firstly, he attributed it to the increase in Cameroon's population, which leads to high demand compared to supply, resulting in what he termed as 'forced consumption.' This refers to consumers who, unable to find their preferred beer, settle for whatever is available. Secondly, he mentioned the challenges faced by breweries during production due to frequent power cuts. He stated, 'In some neighborhoods of Yaoundé currently, there is no electricity. Breweries have invested at least 3 billion francs in adequate generators; however, they are working to find a solution to this beer shortage.'" "For Madame Laure Njike, 15 to 20% of direct hospitalizations are caused by alcohol. While there are some advantages, such as offering slight protection against heart diseases and increasing the good cholesterol in the blood, the disadvantages of excessive alcohol consumption are numerous. These include damage to vital organs such as the liver and heart, convulsive drunkenness, epileptic seizures, loss of balance, confusion, strokes, head injuries, irregular heartbeat, etc." "However, alcohol consumption should be moderate, with 1 to 2 grams per day for women and 1 to 3 grams per day for men, without exceeding 4 grams of alcohol per day. It's important to note that one gram of alcohol is equivalent to one standard glass of beer. For diabetics, this average is further reduced due to the risk of hypoglycemia, which can lead to death. To prevent these various complications and overcome chronic alcoholism, vitamins B1, B6, and BP are recommended. The next meeting with breweries and all relevant stakeholders will take place on June 15th at the Ministry of Commerce." Marcelle Ebanda

The two competitions are scheduled to take place in France and Cameroon in the coming months. For the Olympics, the qualifying phase is ongoing and 08 athletes are being closely monitored. The Cameroon Athletics Federation has been getting ready for two international competitions for several months. As the host country for the 2024 African Athletics Championship, Feca-athletics, with support from the government, is gearing up to welcome several African nations to Cameroon in a few months. It's a double preparation because in July and August, Cameroon will also be participating in the 2024 Olympic Games hosted by Paris, the French capital. African Athletics Championships 2024. According to the Secretary General Charles Kouoh Kotte, the Cameroonian Athletics Federation is preparing for this competition, which is nowadays considered like a World Cup, with a lot of serenity: "The Federation has been working for several months to host this competition. The minister in charge signed an organizing committee a few days ago. But before that, we had a steering committee and a project team for the preparations for 9 months so that this African championship will be a real success. At the federation level, we are working to select the best athletes," says Charles Kouoh Kotte, secretary general of Feca-athletics. According to the senior official, 75 athletes of both sexes will participate in this competition without distinction. And the choice will be made among the best. Because the Cameroonian athletics federation was better in the recent outings of Cameroon abroad. At the Francophone Games in Kinshasa, Congo, and at the African Games in Accra, Ghana. Secretary General Charles Kouoh Kotte indicates that: "The Feca-athletics was the best of the Cameroonian team, winning several gold medals. We believe that our children are on the same path and they continue to work hard. We have a good team of athletes capable of competing with other African athletes. But it must be recognized that it will be a difficult competition. Since the African championship has become like the World Cup because it is starting to be among the best in the world," notes Mr. Kouoh Kotte. The Cameroonian Athletics Federation is preparing for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. At the moment Emmanuel Esseme is the only athlete qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Qualifying tournaments are being contested and 08 other athletes in several disciplines are being monitored by the federation: “We monitor our athletes and try to support them wherever they are. We try to help them travel, listen to their needs and enable them to take part in competitions in the West. Local athletes are followed because the qualification process is not yet complete. There are 04 local athletes and 04 international athletes,” notes General Secretary Charles Kouoh Kotte. For the SG, it is difficult to know the number of athletes who will go to Paris, but 08 are positioned. There are two qualification systems: the minimum qualification and the world ranking. The 07 athletes tracked are in the world ranking system, and the international federation will decide which athletes will be in the world ranking. As a reminder, the Olympic Games begin in Paris in July and will end in August 2024. Emmanuel Esseme already qualified in the men's 100 m remains expected with an Olympic medal. J. Patrick DJON

The MINESEP-FECAFOOT conflict is symptomatic of the desire to seize all power in the political sphere. Politics in Cameroon aims to be a dominating power that controls everything, regulates everything, down to the smallest details. Such a situation is not beneficial for those who support a tropical totalitarianism. Au Cameroun, le pouvoir politique est centralisé autour de la présidence de la République, où tout remonte et redescend, sous le contrôle d'un seul homme : le président. Ce pouvoir unipersonnel, omniprésent et omniscient, confère au président un contrôle quasi absolu sur les hommes et les institutions, ce qui peut être dangereux, indépendamment de la bonne volonté du détenteur du pouvoir. Cette situation s'inscrit dans un contexte où le débat est découragé, la contestation est réprimée et les critiques sont sanctionnées, souvent par l'exil ou l'emprisonnement. Le football, en tant que sport populaire, ne fait pas exception à cette emprise du pouvoir politique. Il est utilisé comme un outil de diversion pour dissimuler les problèmes socio-économiques du pays et pour maintenir le régime en place. Par exemple, lors de la Coupe du Monde de la FIFA en 1990 en Italie, la performance des Lions Indomptables a permis au régime de se redresser face à une contestation sociale généralisée. De même, l'organisation de la Coupe d'Afrique des Nations en 2019 a été présentée comme une vitrine politique pour le régime. Cependant, cette utilisation politique du football ne résout pas les problèmes fondamentaux du pays. Elle masque temporairement les réalités économiques et sociales difficiles et entraîne souvent une soumission aveugle de la population aux institutions. Les succès sportifs sont célébrés comme des victoires nationales, détournant l'attention des questions plus profondes sur la direction du pays et la qualité de vie des citoyens. En fin de compte, le football agit comme un pansement sur les plaies sociales et économiques du Cameroun. Il offre une échappatoire temporaire à la population tout en renforçant le pouvoir en place. Cette manipulation de la distraction et du divertissement rappelle les tactiques de contrôle utilisées dans la Rome antique, où le peuple était maintenu docile à travers le pain et les jeux. TIENTCHEU KAMENI MAURICE

A National Symposium on Epilepsy Le Centre de Coordination des Opérations d’Urgences de Santé publique (CCOUPS) a accueilli du 30 au 31 mai 2024 un symposium de sensibilisation contre l’épilepsie, ayant pour thème la lutte contre la stigmatisation des personnes vivant avec cette condition. Ce symposium visait à fournir un cadre propice à la réflexion des experts, à l'échange d'idées et aux discussions sur les défis actuels liés à la prise en charge de l’épilepsie dans les communautés rurales du Cameroun. L'objectif était également de prendre des mesures pour améliorer la santé et les droits des personnes touchées par cette maladie non transmissible. L'événement a été organisé par l'ONG Community Development and Epilepsy Foundation (CODEF), qui travaille pour la prise en charge de l’épilepsie et du VIH/SIDA dans les communautés rurales du Cameroun. Cette organisation sensibilise le public, facilite l'accès aux soins médicaux, offre un soutien psychosocial et défend les droits des personnes atteintes de ces maladies. La stigmatisation liée à l'épilepsie et au VIH/SIDA a des conséquences profondes et néfastes, entraînant souvent l'exclusion sociale, la discrimination et la marginalisation des personnes atteintes. La CODEF aspire à des communautés où la stigmatisation, l'ignorance et la peur de l’épilepsie et du VIH/SIDA seront remplacées par la connaissance, les soins et l'inclusion des personnes malades, ainsi que par la réduction de la pauvreté et des violences envers les femmes et les filles. Dans le cadre de cette lutte, l'OMS a élaboré le premier plan d’action mondial intersectoriel pratique (IGAP) pour l’épilepsie et les autres troubles neurologiques, couvrant la période 2022-2031. Ce plan comprend 5 objectifs stratégiques dédiés exclusivement à l’épilepsie, visant à renforcer la prise en charge de cette condition et à réduire la stigmatisation qui lui est associée. Lors de cette réunion, la CODEF a exprimé son besoin d’être soutenue par tous les acteurs afin de mobiliser les ressources nécessaires pour continuer à soutenir le programme de sensibilisation, d’accès aux soins et de lutte contre la stigmatisation. Le Dr ETOUNDI MBALLA, Directeur de la Lutte contre les Maladies Épidémiques et Pandémiques, a félicité et encouragé la CODEF pour son leadership et son dévouement envers cette cause importante pour le gouvernement camerounais. Il est convaincu que des stratégies d’accompagnement pour des actions futures seront élaborées à l'issue de cette rencontre. Clément Noumsi Source/ Minsanté.

The results of the New Horizon Collaborative project in Cameroon, aimed at improving the management of therapeutic failures in children and adolescents, were presented on May 30, 2024, in Yaoundé. Three years after its implementation, the New Horizon Advancing Pediatric HIV Care Collaborative project, supported by the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), is already showing results. The data shows that the viral load in second-line children and adolescents has been suppressed by 76%, with 584 out of 766 sample analyses yielding positive results. The resistance rate among these children is 22%. Beyond the numbers, Dr. Patrice Tchuendjou, Country Director of EGPAF, believes that providing these results is the result of dedicated teamwork. He explains that this data will help guide decision-making to further improve the care for children and adolescents living with HIV/AIDS. Introduced in Cameroon in 2021, in five health facilities (Fosa) across two regions, the initiative now covers 7 regions (Centre, Littoral, North, Northwest, West, Southwest, East), and its services are offered in 28 Fosas. Several activities have been carried out in the previous year to achieve the objectives assigned to this project. These include improving gaps through treatment, increasing the availability of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) on the 3rd line, strengthening the capacity of healthcare personnel, and training 234 providers on various topics. While the progress made is encouraging, there is still room for improvement. Statistics indicate that the decrease in new infections is slower among youth (35%) than among adults (50%). The number of deaths among children and adolescents accounts for 25% of all deaths related to the disease. This is why Dr. Zeh Meka, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the National AIDS Control Committee (CNLS), argues that more efforts are needed. In addition to addressing the gaps and improving the monitoring and evaluation system, he says, "It is undoubtedly time to conduct a situational analysis in order to adjust the 2024 action plan, involve other stakeholders, and devise a plan to sustain this initiative." As a reminder, the HIV prevalence rate in Cameroon is 2.7%. Girls aged 15 to 19 are more affected than boys in the same age group. Clément Noumsi / Source Minsanté

All 06 pillars have risen from the ground on the bank of Mayo Taram, near Banyo. The company plans to complete the construction of the remaining 6 pillars, which began on May 30 on the Bankim side. The foundation of this bridge will consist of a total of 12 pillars, with 6 on each side of the river. This step comes before the construction work of the abutment on which the metal deck will be placed. The project located on the Foumban-Tibati-Ngaoundéré axis in the Mayo-Banyo department, Adamaoua region, is progressing steadily. The mobilization of Nan Company Limited is highly commendable, and the speed of pile construction is justified by the use of a hydraulic motor-activated pile drilling device, which facilitates drilling. This operation simplifies the installation of the previously woven iron reinforcement cage. The use of this specific equipment has accelerated the pace of work since the installation of the company and the supply of the site. As of May 28, 2024, the execution rate is 7.15% with a time consumption of 140.2%. Furthermore, activities continue, including the reinforcement of the remaining piles to be built and soil testing with a penetrometer. Regarding the project's financial situation, Nan Company Limited has already received the advance payment, and only the payment of Progress Payment No. 1 for the supervisory mission, handled by AE CONSULT SA, is pending. The construction work on the bridge over the Mayo-Taram river located on the Foumban-Tibati-Ngaoundéré axis, national road N°6 consists of a structure of 51.67 linear meters with access roads on the bridge of 100 meters on each side. The cost of constructing this bridge is 847,425,267 FCFA inclusive of all taxes. Clément Noumsi

During a workshop held on Thursday, May 30, 2024, the Minister of Public Works, Emmanuel NGANOU DJOUMESSI, technical and financial partners, and stakeholders in the road maintenance system examined the Terms of Reference developed for the recruitment of a consultant tasked with developing a road maintenance strategy in Cameroon. With an increasingly expanding road network (from 55,000 km in the 1980s to 121,873 km today), and despite the efforts made by the Government to improve the lifespan of roads, the trend of degradation caused by various factors such as climate change and increased traffic with complex parameters dilutes these efforts. It is in this context that the Ministry of Public Works envisages the development of a road network maintenance strategy for Cameroon. The objective of this strategy is to elucidate the logic of interventions in road maintenance and specify collaboration mechanisms to foster synergies among system actors. This will be carried out by an expert whose mission is to develop a road network maintenance strategy for Cameroon, aligned with the country's socio-economic development policies and challenges by 2030. The meeting, led by the State Engineer, allowed all stakeholders to contribute to the "consultant's compass" document. Exhaustively, the consultant will, within a period of twelve (12) months, conduct a diagnosis of the road maintenance and asset management system in Cameroon, develop a maintenance and management strategy for said assets, and propose a roadmap outlining clear operations and steps towards achieving the objectives of the strategy for road asset maintenance and management in Cameroon. In addition to the methodological aspect and expected results, criteria related to the qualifications and obligations of the consultant were examined. Reaction Joseph Fotsing, Division Chief of Planning, Programming, and Standards/MINTP « In reality, the profile is not exclusive. Earlier, you mentioned the need to do it internally, yes, it can be done, except that a strategy is developed over a very long term. We must first diagnose our road maintenance system because in reality, we do not have one, whether it's programming or interventions in the field, whether it's coordination on the ground, we don't truly have a road management strategy in Cameroon. That's why this meeting is being held, to find the rare bird perhaps internally, why not in Cameroon, or it can come from abroad internationally; it's an open offer. Their mandate will first be to diagnose what exists, what we have as assets. What we have as a strategy through the system. And now, we're developing infrastructure, we're expanding the network, but there's no real policy for sustainability. Most of our national roads are deteriorating because they've reached the end of their lifespan. If we had tackled the issue head-on, we wouldn't be in this situation today because normally, for a road that's been completed, maintenance starts the next day because there are three types of maintenance: preventive maintenance, routine maintenance, and periodic maintenance. We need to establish a national policy to maintain our road assets.». Clément Noumsi

The Secretary General of Minimidt Oumar Ali chaired the opening ceremony on Thursday, May 30, 2014 of the national workshop on appropriating legislation related to the protection of genetic resources and traditional knowledge in Cameroon. A meeting of experts, stakeholders, and students coming together to develop a consensus approach to understanding the legislation on the matter. This is the purpose of this workshop that brought together experts, researchers, students, and stakeholders at the Yaoundé Chamber of Commerce and Industries, focusing on the common theme of understanding legislation. Two presentations were given, the first one on "the legal framework of genetic resources and traditional knowledge, and the functioning of the APA mechanism in Cameroon" by Dr. DINGOM Aurélie Taylor from Minepded. The second presentation was on "the OAPI model laws and the intellectual property issues in the exploitation of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge" by Fabrice TANGKO, an intellectual property expert from Minmidt. Reactions Oumar ALI, SG Minmidt «We organized this workshop with the support of OAPI (African Intellectual Property Organization) to enable our researchers, traditional healers, mothers, and indeed our entire population and all communities to benefit from existing intellectual property and genetic resources protection. As you know, Minmidt has been working for several years on the valorization of our resources. We started with geographical indications, and you know the international success of Penja pepper today. This helps to protect this heritage, and Penja farmers benefit greatly from the significant revenues generated through this intellectual property work. We can also mention Cameroon's Red Cocoa, also registered in geographical indications, which now allows our farmers to benefit from very significant revenues, as you know with the rise in prices of Made in Cameroon cocoa. Today, we continue this action with genetic resources because laws exist; internationally, WIPO, OAPI, and many provisions exist in favor of genetic resources protection. The objective of today's workshop is indeed to make available to all experts, researchers, traditional healers, and all those who work daily to valorize our natural resources, plants, and everything you know to help them benefit from significant revenues from their activities. At the same time, we share with the populations, the custodians of tradition who can now be valued; we help them to value these assets, this heritage through legislation and intellectual property. ». Fabrice TONGKO, Intellectual property expert at Minmidt « Today's workshop focuses on the appropriation of national and international legislation regarding genetic resources in Cameroon. As you may know, very recently, the World Intellectual Property Organization has adopted a treaty on intellectual property concerning genetic resources. However, long before that, the African Intellectual Property Organization had enacted a law on the matter, and since 2021, Cameroon has had a law governing access to and sharing of benefits from genetic resources exploitation, with an implementing decree. This indicates that legislation regarding genetic resources in Cameroon is nearly comprehensive. This workshop aims to share and exchange with stakeholders because genetic resources are a highly cross-cutting theme involving several ministerial departments and various actors. Therefore, the workshop has brought together all these stakeholders, including students of organic chemistry, medicine, and researchers in biochemistry, to participate in this workshop. ». Clément Noumsi

Aged 21, Miss EST 2024 and a candidate for the Miss Cameroon Crown, JOSEE ANTOINETTE CERAN CAPHARCIE hails from the Sunrise Region (the EST), specifically from the village of Kabilone in the Messamena District, Haut-Nyong Department. Passionate about fashion, JOSEE ANTOINETTE CERAN CAPHARCIE embarked for the first time on the quest for a beauty crown in 2022, when she participated in the beauty contest of her institution, the Catholic University Institute of Saint Thérèse of Yaoundé (INUCASTY). After a fiercely contested competition, the young JOSEE was crowned MISS INUCASTY 2022. Diligent and determined to succeed both in her studies and her professional life, the charming Josée now aspires to the title of the most beautiful woman in Cameroon in the year 2024. On May 26, 2024, JOSEE ANTOINETTE CERAN CAPHARCIE captivated the jury with her presence, eloquence, sweetness, and beauty, making her the ideal candidate. Standing at 1.72m tall, the young lady was crowned Miss EST at the end of this regional final. JOSEE CERAN CAPHARCIE is thus the shining star that illuminates and will continue to illuminate the East Region in the national MISS Cameroon 2024 contest. Young, beautiful, intelligent, and talented, JOSEE ANTOINETTE CERAN CAPHARCIE was born on October 20, 2003, in MESSAMENA. She is a student of Business Law at INUCASTY (the Catholic University Institute Saint Thérèse of Yaoundé). JOSEE ANTOINETTE CERAN CAPHARCIE knows she can count on her authenticity, eloquence, and the unwavering support of her fan base to be crowned MISS CAMEROON 2024 on the evening of June 28. If this dream comes true, JOSEE CERAN CAPHARCIE, the young lady with a big heart, plans to establish an association that will take care of autistic children. Hobbies: Reading, cooking, and music Tel : (+237) 683.11.47.32  // 657.23.01.16 Email : fidelndome@gmail.com Clément Noumsi