At Councils Int’l Economic Forum in Y’de: Nigerian delegation storms out, Anglophone mayors grumble over neglect of English language.

Rather than exploit the two languages to bring glory to Cameroon, some individuals are rather bent on attracting shame for the nation, even at international conferences.

This was the case with the Councils International Economic Forum 2023, known by its French acronym, JEICOM23, which ended in Yaounde Saturday 3.

Among the incidents of shame at the event was the provoking neglect of English language, despite having participants from across the world and councils from the English-speaking Regions of the country.

The Nigerian delegation to the international conference, is reported to have stormed out in protest over the conduct of business exclusively in French language. Even conference materials, some participants said, were produced only in French.

The Nigerian delegation stayed away from the event. The Guardian Post gathered from authoritative sources that the team also boycotted the Saturday’s closing ceremony in protest.

While the Nigerians voiced their misgivings, mayors from the North West and South West Regions, we gathered, were grumbling all through the gathering as business went underway exclusively in French.

Many have not ceased cursing the leadership of the United Cities and Councils of Cameroon, UCCC, for turning a blind eye to the bilingual realities of Cameroon; despite government’s much trumpeted claim of Cameroon being a bilingual country.

Presentations in French provoke English-speaking participants 

The Guardian Post learnt that presentations during the forum, which opened on Thursday June 1, were all in French language, much to the disappointment of investors and members of delegations from English-speaking countries like Nigeria.

Hon Alabi Kolade David, President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, and his team are said to have left the forum on the second day and didn’t return for the final day on June 3.

A source told this reporter that Hon Alabi Kolade had actually expressed his frustration before leaving the event ground. 

He is said to have questioned how such a forum of international magnitude could have documents only in French, with presentations done in only one language, French, as well. 

NW, SW mayors also bitter 

We are told that mayors from the North West and South West Regions, who had already been boiling in anger at the start of the forum, also voiced their frustrations, questioning whether Cameroon is still a bilingual country.

The mayor of Fundong Council in Boyo Division, who doubles as President of North West Region Bureau of UCCC, Denis Awoh Dang, we gathered, embarrassed organisers of the forum on the second day of deliberations, jilting them for making it a French language affair.

Balikumbat mayor, HRM Fon Doh Gahnyamnyin III, is said to have added his voice to that of his colleague of Fundong, stating that such paints a negative image of Cameroon.

Anglophone mayors in UCCC bureau sidelined?

One of the event organisers is said to have responded that they made provisions for translation services. 

The response didn’t move irate Anglophone mayors, who requested that documents in English be made available to them.

They are said to have noted that they couldn’t understand how the UCCC national bureau with Anglophone mayors in the executive, could rubbish the country’s bilingual status and organise an international forum where French was the only language used.

It was at this level that the Head of the Communication Unit of UCCC North West, Chiatoh Collins Songbi, is said to have offered his services to get some of the documents produced in English and also assist coordinating the event.

One of the mayors from the North West Region, who opted not to be named, told The Guardian Post at the close of the forum Saturday, that the neglect of the English language is one of the main causes of the Anglophone crisis which has claimed thousands of lives and properties, yet there are some authorities who have still not seen the need to change.

“We are where we are today because of such attitudes. If you consider that we have over 60 mayors from the North West and South West Regions and everything is being done in French, how do you expect them to fully grasp what is discussed here for the benefit of their municipalities,” the frustrated official quipped.

About JEICOM 2023

The Councils International Economic Forum, better known by the French acronym JEICOM, was first organised in 2021. It is an initiative of UCCC to bring together councils, government, foreign investors and local businesses.

The stakeholders brainstorm on ways of enabling municipalities tackle food insecurity, improve hygiene and sanitation, develop tourism, promote wood processing amongst other projects.

The forum features expositions and workshops on new models of approaching development targets for councils. It is also an opportunity for councils and other enterprises with innovative ideas and solutions to woo investors for the development of the country. 

Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute, chaired the opening ceremony of this year’s JEICOM while the Minister of Decentralisation and Local Development, George Elanga Obam, presided over the closing ceremony.