Discover Spinoffs Of Historic Major National Dialogue Two Years After

By Raymond Dingana

In a bid to quench the fire ignited by the ongoing crisis rocking the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon, the Head of State, President Paul Biya okayed the Major National Dialogue, MND which took place between September 30th and October 4th, 2019.

The initiative that brought together delegates drawn from the ten regions of the national triangle finally gave birth to 80 recommendations.

The second anniversary of the MND was observed few days back at a time when the recommendations arrived at are still being implemented.

According to a document titled "the Compendium of government action/measures to address the situation in the south west and north west region of cameroon," thanks to the MND,  the Special Status which was born. It was placed under law number 2019/024 of December 24th 2019 and was to institute the General Code of Regional and Local Authorities.

Prime Minister Cheif Doctor Dion Ngute, Mbayu Felix And Others At The MND

The Presidents of the Regional Executive councils became the Chief Executive officers of their respective regions.

Also, the Public Independent Conciliators have already been appointed to these regions and  are already working.

 Mr. Fai Simon Tamfu told the press recently that, his office was already studying  compliants that have come in from the population.

There has also been the allocation of 30billion francs CFA for the functioning of Regional Councils, pursuant to instructions of the President of the Republic.

Materialisation of 15% of State revenue to Regional and Local Authorities still in the pipe line

Delegates At The MND

Finalization of specifications for the project on the modalities for the transfer of power to the Regions concerning youth and civic education has also been done.

Another big win for the MND has been the creation of the National School of Local Administrators- NASLA Buea aimed at training administrators who will aid councils in their quest to carry out local development.

 A common law bench at the Supreme Court has also seen the light of day all thanks to the MND.In addition, the government proceeded to translate the OHADA uniform act into the English language.

Dance Groups Animating The MND

There has also been the distribution of the national dentity cards and other lost or destroyed documents to internally displaced persons IDPs. This move has helped them continue with their education and other activities to better their lives.

Because crisis gave birth to many vulnerable persons, there has been the distribution of Presidential relief supplies to about 3000 IDPs and about 600 ex refugees from Nigeria.

Significant increase in the number of students going back to school during the opening of the school year, despite the Covid-19 pandemic has also been registered as one of the achievements of the MND.

Still in education, there has been the setting up of a Special Fund of CFAF 2 billion to private secular and denominational schools in the NorthWest and South-West Regions and free school enrolment for IDPS.

Training of 2052 women from NWR in ICT, literacy, project management and the manufacturing of liquid soap, training of 1,480 women and girls from the NW and SW Regions on income-generating activities,training of 134 refugees (women and women) on sewing, small business, breeding and agriculture in Adamaoua region training of 80 needy women inthe North West Region on sewing and manufacturing of antiseptic soap and hand sanitizers, and providing them with 40 sewing machines.

Decree N°2019/3179/PM to grant the status of economic disaster areas to the Far-North, North-West and South-West Regions with a 90 day tax breaks accorded to businesses to assuage the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on small and medium size enterprises.

Despite all these breath taking achievements, bloodshed has continued unabated.

IDPs are still forced to pay fees meaning the free school enrollment for IDPs is still a problem.

Many IDPs are still without identity cards and are being harassed on a daily basis by security forces who hardly give a listening ear.

Unemployment and other forms of hardship are still rampant among IDPs. 

There are hopes that, when all the recommendations are finally implemented, the pain and suffering will reduce.