After the votes what happens next?

Pic Source:online

The year 2011 observed the use of new (social) media in transmitting public opinions. Examples can be seen in the abrupt transformation that led to the topping of governments in Libya, Egypt and Tunisia. 

The effects of new media towards strengthening popular sovereignty didn’t end in the Middle East and Africa, it also moved down to the West ,South of the Saharan Africa;Nigeria and in Europe and America continent;UK2011 violent riots and the US Occupy protest respectively.

This however demands a new thinking to the relevance of new media for democratic governance and social good.  

Inspired by these experiences, many Cameroonians home and abroad created and led online groups on Facebook, and event/ hastag (#) lists on twitter.  Through which, many citizens were able toexpress their dissatisfactions against the socio-political situation in the country, in general,and specifically on the need for an electoral reform. So that elections reflect the voters’ choice. 

The fact that citizens managed to use online networks in carrying on advocacy campaigns for the enjoyment of basic rights and freedom during the presidential campaign was in itself inspiring and a step towards effective political vigilance.  

That notwithstanding, some observers remarked strongly that the enthusiasm demonstrated by Cameroonians during that period was“weak, objectiveless and non-inspiring” to mobilize supporters (other citizens to join the cause). 

 Given the high level of technological development, many people expected an instant change from the online advocacy by the citizens for the improvement of the people’s wellbeing during election. 

However, it is worth noting that Oct 9^th 2011 elections shall forever remain historic - seeing a critical mass of Cameroonian especially the young population taking the stage in the virtual space in reporting and making their own news on happenings in the country.  

But according to Dave, he thinks that “The current state of Cameroon is not threatened by the nature of communication most especially through the social media.  For social media communication depends on the way it is used.  And unlike the Arab Uprising where the social media played a mega role, Cameroonian means of usage is not inspiring.  It is not action-oriented but report-oriented”.

Contrary to Dave’s opinion,  Patience applauded  the initiative and especially the fact that youth were able get involve in exploring and using the new media tools and applications to challenge the status quo about traditional media in news reporting. 

For instance, Patience remarked that “unlike the previous years where a great majority of the Cameroonian public; home or abroad, friends and fans of this country would get updates about Cameroon only through the traditional Medias (local TV channels, Radiostations and News Prints)”

In that time, Patience emphasized that it was believed that news is made by journalists. But now it is different. The people have become their News and story anchors. As well as, they can now communicate their stories across the globe without fear of any form of editorial censorship”. Patience, in addition recollected “And this was evident in the Oct 9^th presidential elections”. 

While on the other hand, Biggest Peeters who during the October 2011 presidential, reported instantly on any act of social injustice and abuse of rights; detention incidence, riots, violence and some cases of frauds within his community; Buea – Cameroon; believes that  many Cameroonians were motivated by the thinking that new media would serve as a great medium to be heard either by the international actors, social actors or external communities or any agencies that can influence the situation positively. 

Dismally, Biggest Peeters added “I realized that very little attention was given to our situation in Cameroon by all these actors.”

After the Elections, what happens next? It is now 2012, Cameroon is soon to organize another election; municipal and parliamentary. 

How can these platforms be strengthen towards solution-solving?

Gun Men dressed in Military Uniform blockade the Cameroon Major Bridge for 3 hours, in continuous shooting

In 2010,  HE Koffi Ann & Jean Ping award Biya aPeace Medal for maintaining the state at Peace

 

 

 

 

 

What does Peace Mean to you

Yesterday 29th September, 2011, as from 5pm – 8pm (CAT), Witnesses report a heavy military presence in Cameroon's commercial hub, Douala, after gunmen dressed in military uniform opened fire on a major bridge and carrying signs opposing Cameroon's longtime ruler. Some of the placards read “Paul Biya Must Go At All Costs! Enough is Enough! Biya the dictator!”

Sources say that the military men kept firing shots in the air while chanting the slogans “BIYA DÉGAGE”. They then engaged in fierce gunshot battle with security officials before disappearing from the bridge with one seen diving into the river Wouri and four arrested, now under custody.

Cameroon police said they were interrogating the suspects to determine if they were soldiers.

Cameroon is scheduled to hold a presidential election on October 9.

Biya who was nominated the dictator of the months by David Wallechinsky; author of Tyrants: The World’s 20 Worst Living Dictators last week, is considered one of Africa's remaining strongmen after the fall of Mubarak and Gadaffi of Libya. He now contests the position with Robert Mugaber of Zimbabwe. Not also forgetting Obiagema of Equatorial Guinea who told power in 1979 and since then has never organized an election and is now the chair person for AU.

Since 1982, President Biya has ruled the country and is widely expected to win another seven-year term. In 2008, the 78-year-old Biya pushed through constitutional changes that eliminated term limits

The changes triggered anti-government riots in which at least 40 people were killed, and many till date are still imprison.

Some opposition supporters have urged Biya to step down and have argued that the old term limits still apply to him.

As the country enters the last phase of the campaign ahead of the presidential elections scheduled for October 9th, many have been left wondering whether the elections will take place given the heightened tension in the country.

Though skeptics have quickly asserted the Douala event to be a staged tactic by the regime so as to have an excuse to deploy the military onto the streets just before the elections to intimidate the population and flush out any plans of rioting, it should be noted that eyewitness report of the gun battle between the gun men and the security officials cancels out any conspiracy theory. It may be too early two conclude.

In a separate event on same Thursday, members of Election Cameroon (ELECAM) reported explosives had been placed in their offices in Limbe.

An eyewitness reported that a slim squad of some gendarme and army officers carefully and safely removed explosives placed at the ELECAM office at Mile One, Limbe.

ELECAM officials who spoke to the press reported that the devices were discovered as early as 5:00 am on Thursday morning and they immediately alerted the Southwest Governor and other security services.

On River Wouri, there is a railway, bike, vehicles passage and pedestrian way etc.

The Limbe event also like the one in Douala happened as the ELECAM Board member in charge of the Southwest, Dorothy Limunga Njeuma, was expected to visit Limbe and other ELECAM offices within the SW Region. It is reported the visit has been suspended until further notice. There were no immediate claims of responsibility for the undetonated bombs found early in the morning.

Moments after this happened, the Southwest governor Koumpa Issa, then quickly rushed down to Limbe, visited the scene and, summoned an urgent closed door security meeting to assess the situation.

Today’s events across the country have only intensified the doubts.

source: BMG and CameroonPoll

Bringing the 2011 Presidential Elections in Cameroon Live online

No more silence. I will speak because I have a  Voice (Fungai)

 Fellow brothers and sisters, it is with great delight I am inviting you to join the first ever online gathering organized to discuss and share individual (personal ) experiences and challenges faced throughout the 2011 presidential elections in Cameroon.

The event, Discuss the News, Make the headlines is a Live program scheduled for the 9th Oct 2011 as from 00am – 00pm. Though, members are free to commence even before the 9t...h Oct while waiting on the D-day.

The primary aim of this online platform is to provide a common ground for all Cameroonians and friends worldwide to Tweet / Facebook their personal stories and the challenge they face in casting in their votes (not excluding their post-elections experience). In addition, the event aims at enabling all persons interesting in the Cameroon presidential elections to be able to follow-up all the latest happening.

However, it is assumed that each person participating in this event is in charge of deciding which scenarios (s) he is facing is news breaking. Nonetheless, members in this forum shall expect a certain degree of citizen responsibility to ensure that all which is said is based on real (recent) experience and not fictional stories and most importantly it should be related to the Presidential Elections.

To Get Involve is very simple. Just by a click of a mouse, you are joining the rest of the world in exploring the formidable power of web 2.0 and social media in building a better world for all.

2 major ways exist; Facebook or Twitter 

1. Join the FB event page here

2. Tweet by adding (#blog_kmer_elections ) on every tweet you make. This is to ensure that everybody sees and read your tweet. Plz take note that it is a hastag (#) blog underscore( _ ) kmer underscore ( _ ) elections   = #blog_kmer_elections


To convert the time scheduled into your local time, check out this link here

Feel free to invite your friends, colleagues and family to join this event page.

I look forward to reading your story. I am definitely feeling so eager to share my experience. Until then, remain blessed


PS: You can also ask your questions and leave feedback.