The law promoting Billinguism in Cameroon now exists
This is an extraordinary step forward and a chance for all Cameroonians. It is above all a concrete answer to the concerns and frustrations of Anglophones. Indeed, “The Republic of Cameroon adopts English and French as official languages of equal value,” stipulates the said law in its article 1st paragraph 3. This will gradually and surely allow all Cameroonians to become more easily billing What is an excellent thing for their future, especially their openness to the world, and that of the country in particular for a better cohesion.
To arrive in an administration and to be laughed because one does not speak English or French is traumatic. This law is therefore fundamental in that, in addition to promoting bilingualism, for its application it has enabled the recruitment of more than 500 interpreters and translators by the government, who will be deployed in all jurisdictions that require their presence.
From a practical point of view, it is a law that establishes equality, because better than before, a user can be served in the language of his choice by the administration.
There will be more rigor in improving the promotion of bilingualism in public institutions, the private sector and civil society in the country.
In addition, section 17 of the Act provides that press articles, and other institutional communication documents, must be produced and made available in both official languages.
Further, the decentralized communities, we are there!
This Friday, December 13, 2019, at the extraordinary session of Parliament, the law relating to it will be presented.
The said law will give greater freedom of action for mayors and local elected officials. In terms of innovation, the position of “government delegate” will be removed; which means that there will now be democratically elected mayors in 100% of the country’s cities! A great first in the country! These mayors will benefit from a transfer of skills in the sense that they will take care of human resources in schools, clinics, etc.
Another innovation is the creation of a position of “regional mediator” who will not have direct power (unlike judges), but who will allow citizens to resolve certain conflicts quickly and peacefully.
Regarding mayors: in a city like Yaoundé, there will now be 1 central mayor of Yaoundé, and 1 mayor for each of the 7 districts that the city has. It is the 7 borough mayors, with some of their municipal councilors, who will elect the mayor of Yaoundé now!
The said law will also allow a better redistribution of wealth (15% of state revenue will be devoted to decentralization).
With regard to the special status of the English-speaking regions, this law makes it possible to take into account the specificities of the NOSO (linguistic specificity, historical heritage, and specificities of the educational and judicial system, which will allow, for example, a better integration of the “common law “in local jurisdictions and at the Supreme Court.
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