Recompilation of Voters Registration by Biometric, Donga Mantung CPDM Strategizes

 By Kimbi V Muku in Nkambe

The Donga Mantung Divisional Commission, headed by Dr. Fuh Calistus Gentry has kick-started a sensitization campaign to explain and empower grassroot party officials, militants and supporters about the recompilation of voters register using biometrics. Addressing participants at the divisional launching at the Nkambe Community Hall, on November 4, 2012, the head of the Central Committee delegation Minister Fuh Calistus Gentry, Secretary of State for Mines, Industries and Technological Development time said the only way for anyone to stand on his or her rights is to register and votes. Dr. Fuh Calistus Gentry went further to explain that with the recompilation process, everything will start from zero “it is therefore very imperative for everyone to register so that our voice can be heard”. He told participants that the Central Committee has already done much by creating supervisory and support committees at all levels of the party to over see registration and report. He emphasized that the roles and responsibilities of the basic organs of the party in the process adding that if the basic organs of the party such as Branches and Cells are functional and active, the CPDM will provide the expected results. “We have a lot of challenges and we have come with recommendations from the Central Committee and some guidelines proposed by North West CPDM elite in Yaounde for you to adapt to our local realities in order to tackle the process”. He prescribed a door-door sensitization as one of the remedies to curb voter apathy in the Division. “So if we fail in our objective then the voice of the opposition will be heard” he observed. Dr. Fuh Calistus also said the celebration of the 30^th Anniversary should reflect Donga Mantung Division. According to Fuh Calistus the strategy has been initiated by the Central Committee to increase registration. He concluded by saying that the funds needed for the process shall be contributed locally and that North West elites had done something significant and each Section will receive a significant amount to kick-start the process.

While presenting Circular No 4 from the Central Committee of the CPDM, Shey Jones Yembe demonstrated how each operation team will function in the field to ensure a hitch-free registration. He cautioned against any act that will go against party principles. “If we use the existing basic structures as recommended, I am certain that we will succeed in our task”. He also discarded the notion of accumulation of functions by some party executives. He said the text is clear that all the other basic organs of the party will operate under the supervision of the Council commission, while those at the grassroots will have to work under the supervision of the Section Presidents. Meanwhile Shey Jones Yembe reminded participants that the Section Presidents during the process will authorizes all expenditure while the Treasurers will be in-charge of disbursing. Shey Jones emphasized that if the instructions of the Central Committee are implemented to the letter, Donga Mantung CPDM will surely carry the day in the upcoming elections. Shey Jones concluded his presentation by outlining the various operation teams ranging from the Section to the Sub Section, Branches and the Cells. “In as much as the chain is respected, we will realize our goal” which he said is to emerge victorious in the upcoming elections and other future elections. He stressed the fact that all grassroots operations should submit reports regularly so much so that there is constant assessment of the process.

On his part, Ngafeeson Emmanuel Bantar represented the proposed guidelines and strategies developed by North West Think Tank (coordinated by Prime Minister Philemon Yang). The guidelines Ngafeeson Emmanuel Bantar noted are an instrument for work and that since the CPDM is an organized political party, there is an urgent need for Section Presidents to assume their roles and responsibilities as the bosses of the party at the grassroots. He cautioned that party representatives should always be vigilant during the recompilation process. He said militants with expired receipts should make sure that the expired receipts are taken back to the police for renewal. At the end of the launching ceremony, the following personalities were installed into their functions as Council Commission heads. They are:

Shey Jones Yembe: Donga Mantung I (Nkambe)

Ngafeeson Emmanuel Bantar: Donga Mantung II (Ndu)

Ngi Christopher: Donga Mantung III (Ako)

Dr. Fuh Calistus Gentry: Donga Mantung VI (Misaje)

HRH Jikong Stephen Yeriwa: Donga Mantung V (Nwa)

The head of the Council Commissions will monitor and evaluate the process in the field through regular and periodic reports from the Section Presidents.

Reactions

Gerard Ngala: CPDM Parliamentary Aspirant for Donga Mantung I

My take home message after this launching ceremony is that we need to go to work immediately. And I am happy that the Central Committee has provided us with guidelines. The circular from the Central Committee has cleared a lot of doubts so as where to register and if we use the strategy brought up by the party we will reach all our militants. I am also happy of the outcome of the meeting because every actor in the process is aware of the task ahead of us. With the guidelines and other strategies developed locally, we will collectively work toward achieving our set objectives. In fact if I have any clarion call to make to youths, I will only remind them that the long awaited moment to effect change has finally come and it starts right now with registration.  Our own tomorrow is now, so it time for us all to register but we should make sure that when the process starts, we should be able to register closer to our homes. So I am calling on all the youths, women and supporters of the CPDM in Donga Mantung I to pass the message to others that that moment is around the corner, and that we should register massively when the registration process starts.

Alhadji Abdou Borno Kamfon: CPDM Parliamentary Aspirant for Ndu

You know the central committee has created supervisory committees and support committees at all level. And with this strategy, we are not going to implement it diligently to make sure that the registration is a success. I can only tell our militants especially those who have Donga Mantung at heart to go and register so that they will be able to invest their votes where they can get meaningful development as a payback. We have been suffered in the hands of the opposition for years without any meaningful development and I think the time is has come for us to contribute in changing or reshaping the future by investing our votes in the future.  I can only advise youth, women, CPDM  supporters and everybody who loves development that our time to change Mbumland is now and that  with biometric registration kick-starts they should register at the closest centers to their homes.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

NW CPDM Kick-starts Sensitization on Biometric Recompilation

 By FC Ndi

Fon Angwafo III

Opening the meeting today November 3, 2012 at the Bamenda Congress Hall, the 1^st Vice National President of the Cameroon People Democratic Movement-CPDM told participants that the ball has been set rolling and it is their duty to make sure that the instructions from the Central Committee of the CPDM are implemented as prescribed. HRH Fon Angwafo III continued that “we are here to take instructions and your role is to go to the field and act”. He cautioned delegates from the Central Committee that they should allow local leaders to exercise their functions. “Registration is the most crucial aspect of any elections and you are here ti take the instructions to the grassroots for implementation”, he emphasized. The 1^st Vice President further advised that each operation team involved in the recompilation process should make sure that regular and periodic written reports are forwarded to their immediate hierarchies. The reports he added are extremely essential because they will enable the supervisory teams to formulate and apply counteractive measures as the case arises. 

Ghogomu, Ama Tutum Dr. Calistu and Ndikonar

 Hon. Nji Fidelis presented some practical guidelines for massive registration of militants and supporters of the CPDM in the Northwest Region.  The document which according to Hon. Nji Fidelis was developed by a Think Tank of Northwest elite based in Yaounde under the supervision of Prime Minister Yang Philemon formulated some practical strategies that would enable the party to embark upon mobilization, sensitization and registration. He reechoed the fact the North West Region hosts the capital of the opposition demands a lot of concentration and commitment at every little step so that everything is monitored, assessed and evaluated to guarantee success. He pointed out that the importance of the present recompilation of voter registration exercise is very important noting that “all upcoming and future elections shall be won or lost, depending on the diligence commitment and efforts with which we tackle this assignment”. He observed that since recompilation is from scratch, there are some many parameters to be taken into consideration. Hon Nji Fidelis also underscored the need for all central committee support teams to work in harmony with the local operation teams under the authority of the section Presidents, who in effect are the legitimate bosses of the party at grassroot levels. He also accentuated on the fact that local party officials should cultivate and maintain good relations with ELECAM officials and others members of the registration commission. 

Shey Jones Yembe

Hon. Nji Fidelis presentation also called on party officials and representatives in voters’ registration stations vigilant so that they could come to the assistance of those who need help in the registration process as prescribed by the law. This he said will keep representatives of the CPDM on the alert in case others want to play a trick such as pretending to assist elderly or illiterate persons. He reminded CPDM bigwigs that all those charged with the smooth execution of the campaign in the field at various operation levels could as well facilitate the collection of identity cards abandoned at the police identification centers. For the process to be effective, he advised that each section President should train at least four additional militants who could eventually serve as party representatives in the recompilation process.  

Minister Fuh Calistus Gentry on his part presented a speech from the Secretary General of the CPDM on the celebrations marking the 30^th anniversary of President Paul Biya’s ascension to power. He outlined that under the leadership of President Paul Biya much has been achieved. He told participants that everyone admits that the New Deal has transformed the landscape of this country. “In these 30 years the CPDM needs to capitalize on peace, territorial integrity and human rights. Dr. Fuh Calistus also emphasized on that fact that the 30^th anniversary of President Biya’s taking office is coming with the fresh impetus of the last congress of the CPDM which must be consolidated.  In order to ensure the sustainability of the successes of the CPDM, he added that there is an urgent need to mobilize and sensitize militants to register massively in order to transform the efforts. “Employment of youths and creation of wealth and it equitable distribution” he said will guarantee the future. He said CPDM militants from Yaounde and other big cities should allow the grassroot to work.

Gerard Ngala and Barrister Yembe Emmanuel

Shey Jones Yembe in reaction to the circular letter no 4, on recompilation of voters register said that the information is clear and all the worries of the past have been answered. “If we respect it we will succeed because it takes care of the problem amongst ourselves. There is one point there that is very explicit which defines the roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders in the process”. Shey Jones Yembe emphasized on the issue of transparency in the management of resources stating that the circular is very comprehensible because it defines that “there is an authorizing officer who is the section President and the disbursing officer who is the treasurer”.  Section Presidents he added should use their secretaries and other members of the executive and he also wondered whether all the organs of the party like the Cells do exist in some Sections because there are areas the Branches and Cells exist only on papers. He suggested that timetables be setup to empower the Branches and the Cells where they do exist to do field work to avoid the accumulation of functions by some Section Presidents.

Ngafeeson Emmanuel

Talking to this reporter, Gerard Ngala, CPDM Parliamentary aspirant for Nkambe Central said his take home message after the discussion is bulky and will be very instrumental as they are determine to score high. According to Gerard Ngala, if the instructions from the Central Committee are respected, he is sure the CPDM will carry the day in the upcoming elections. “We will add more ingredients to the knowledge and instructions from the Central Committee to generate the necessary results in Nkambe” noting that the instructions from the central committee will polish what they have developed to ensure massive registration. To Gerard Ngala, the Bamenda the ideas and knowledge gathered is an added impetus.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

Teenagers Rape 80 Years Retired Head Mistress

By Abanda Marcel in Nkambe

An atmosphere of insecurity reins in Wat village after the population of village recorded the most traumatizing incident in the history of that village. Two boys whose names we got as Nfor Robert and Emmanuel Nforgwei are reported to have raped a retired head teacher. According to information gathered the two young boys attacked the retired school head teacher (name withheld) who was on her way to the farm. We also gathered that the two young men who were coming from an abortive mission fell on the on the retired teacher and after committing the abomination deprived her of 75.000 FCFA. One of the perpetrators we learn is currently in detention at the Nkambe prison while one is at large.  The daughter of the victim narrates that when they reported the sad incident to the police,  there was no delay. She continued that the Policeman arrive the village he first arrested and handcuffed Emmanuel Nforgwei who was by the door before he proceeded inside to handcuff Nfor Robert. But Emmanuel Nforwgwei though in a village, varnished with the handcuff. Sources hinted that when Emmanuel Nforgwei later removed the handcuff and dropped it on the road and a farmer by name Pa. Isaiah saw it and thought he had picked a nice chain. As he look and observed the shinning nature of the object he has just picked something came to his mind that he should put it round his hand. When it was done, he discovered he could not open it. For more than tow days, his family was in agony and neigbours were not even informed until when his hand swelled. As the information filtered out, the entire village came to Pa’s compound as if he was dead. It was thanks to the timely intervention of a retired Wader peace regained the village. Sources say Emmanuel Nforgwei was spotted in Bamenda this week. Allegations are rife that at the time they were picked up, they had marijuana on them. Mbabi in Wat is becoming another Marijuana heaven in Nkambe.  Emmanuel Nforgwei police sources hinted escaped from the Bamenda Prison after they were wrist up by forces of law and Order after a successful Bank robbing in Bamenda.The village is reported in a state of shock as the news of the reap continue to spread in near by villages. Public opinion holds that the retired head teacher may not be their first victim giving that it is common that women would suffer in pains but would always keep such incident a secret. However, as the retired head mistress break the silence, the judiciary will set an example.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

BAPCCUL Joins 111 Other Credit Unions to Vote “Yes” for 3 Years Mandate Renewable Twice

 

Just about two months from the time when the process to harmonize the Cameroon Cooperative Credit Union League-CamCCUL, kick-started in the field, some 111 out of 117 credit that have held their extraordinary General Assemblies unions of the 200 nationwide are reported to have voted “yes” for the 3 year mandate renewable twice. According to information gathered the 3 years mandate renewable twice as prescribed by the Minister of Finance is being given a yes. Friday November 2, 2012, members of the Bamenda Police Cooperative Credit Union joined 109 other credit unions to validate the process in order to enable CamCCUL to implement all necessary reforms based OHADA Uniform Acts which Cameroon is a signatory. In an interview with journalists in Bamenda after the meeting Musa Shey Nfor said it was an opportunity for members to express opinions and even their contrary. He added that with “more than 95% already voted yes for the three year mandate renewable twice” it is clear that members are aware of the stakes and would not allow detractors to put their savings in danger. The Extraordinary meeting of the Bamenda Police Cooperative Credit Union took a dramatic twist when Barrister Kemende Henry moved to the rostrum   to enjoin CamCCUL management for implementing the law. “I have not been against the system but I have been against the old executive still in office after their mandates expired. It was wrong for people elected to hang on power. As to whether the incumbent should go to elections, I wanted the chance by which the mandates should be renewed”. Barrister Kemende who from the start was against the ongoing process took members aback when he stood up and outlined some pertinent points why the process would be more useful for the sustainability of the leading micro finance network in Cameroon.

It should be recalled that the Minister’s instruction was poorly interpreted by a group of people who see nothing good in anything except in form of bread as “CamCCUL Crisis” yet they have started back paddling in favour. The most interesting thing is that these very reforms were debated upon democratically and adopted by affiliates of CamCCUL during an extraordinary meeting in Buea in 2011 in what was formerly known as “Model Credit Union By-laws”. The Buea meeting was later followed by another by a team of legal experts in Bamenda on July 6, 2012. However, some credit union leaders just a handful who endorsed the resolution moved on tree tops and started creating disorder. They were joined in the mess by former NW Governor Abakar Ahamat who frustrated the process until the Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Finance and Territorial Administration intervened to call him to order. As a supervisory monetary authority, the Minister of Finance had to step into the scene to stop the wrangling. However, nothing was change, rather the Minister gave instruction for the process to start from naught and give a timeframe within which it should be completed. He instructed that affiliates of CamCCUL should vote new mandates from amongst four options. The options are: Five years renewable once, three years renewable twice, four years renewable once and three years renewable once. The process is overseen by representative of the administration, representative of the Minister of Finance, the representative of the Minister of agriculture and CamCCUL. However, some credit union leaders especially of the Azire Credit union have been trying to frustrate the Minister’s instruction by carrying out wrong procedures. A week ago, an Extraordinary meeting by the said credit union was banned because it did not respect the timeframe led down. With already 111 of credit unions of 117 having voted for the three year mandate renewable twice, there is hope that the process will be hitch free contrary to what detractors had predicted reasons why some of them have started back-paddling.

With these results already recorded, one can predict the outcome of the issues on mandate and eligibility. 


When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

Here are the World's Longest Serving Head of Statess

 No Comment!!!
Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko of Belarus since 1994
Emomalii Rahmon of Tajikistan since 1992
Isaias Afewerki of Eritrea since 1991
Nursultan Abishuly Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan since 1990
Islom Abdug‘aniyevich Karimov of Uzbekistan since 1989 (1990?)
Isaias Afewerki of Eritrea since 1991
General Idriss Déby Itno of Chad since 1990.
Lieutenant General Omar Hassan Ahmad Al-Bashir of Sudan since 1989
Robert G. Mugabe of Zimbabwe since 1980
Blaise Compaoré of Burkina Faso since 1987
Yoweri musuveni of Uganda since 1986
Paul Biya of Cameroon since 1982
Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatoria Guinea since 1979
José Eduardo dos Santos of Angola since 1979


When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa