To combat hate speech, xenophobia: Bilingualism Commission renews partnership with civil society organisations.

One new CSO, it was revealed, joined the coalition platform during the deal renewal. Speaking during the ceremony, the President of the Bilingualism Commission, Peter Mafany Musonge, who signed the agreement on behalf of his institution, told the CSOs that their recognised efforts together with the confidence built over the years, have resulted to the renewal of the partnership.

“The majority of you have been working with us since 2022 when the necessity to establish such a platform was raised. A few others joined the train in 2023, and this year, we are pleased to announce the introduction of one new actor,” he explained.

Musonge added that: “We all are conscious of the stakes this year, being one with major elections scheduled towards the fourth quarter of the year. We have to join efforts to fight these scourges which remain a very serious threat to our Peace, National Unity and willingness to live together”. 

Speaking further on the raison d’etre of the MoU, Musonge said the choice of working with the CSOs was not fortuitous.

He was clear that: “We know that, in your day-to-day activities, you deal directly with grassroots populations; you know them, you speak their language and they trust you. That is why we are relying on this invaluable and privileged position you occupy, to ensure that every Cameroonian gets the message and join the fight because, just as the President of the Republic, His Excellency Paul BIYA has always trumpeted, the beauty and wealth of our diversity should not be sacrificed on the altar of hate speech and xenophobia”.

“One of your cries during the evaluation we had some months ago, was limited resources, as well as the delay with which they were put at your disposal. With the latter not entirely the fault of our financial services, I am pleased to announce to you that the package this year has witnessed a slight increase to the tune of five million francs (5,000,000) per organisation,” he disclosed, stating that: “I have equally instructed the Secretary General to follow-up keenly with the financial services, so that these funds be transferred within the shortest possible timeframe”.

He was blunt that: “Mindful of the fact that this is taxpayers’ money we are talking about, we implore you apply the principle of ‘value for money’ as you carry out your own part of the responsibility”.

He assured that: “On our part, we remain open to accompany you through this arduous task.  Talking about accompanying you, today’s activity well be culminated with a capacity building workshop to prepare you for this phase of our partnership. We have mobilised resource persons to that effect”.

What the partnership entails

As per the partnership, the Bilingualism Commission, it should be said, has committed toconducting a multi-stakeholder approach in the fight against Hate Speech and Xenophobia in Cameroon, especially through awareness raising campaigns at the grassroots, on the dangers the said scourges pose to national unity and a harmonious living together.

According to the engagement, the Commission shall design the messages and any other type of information to be disseminated to the public as well as organise trainings workshops to build the capacity of the partners.

The Commission will also produce the communication gadgets including fliers, banners, posters to be used in the campaign while providing logistical assistance to the partners, 

For their part, the partners shall provide proof of legal existence as a registered Civil Society/Non-Governmental Organization operating within Cameroon; provide any document requested by the Commission, especially concerning its activities; present its annual action plan to the Commission at the beginning of each year as well as organise activities relating to the fight against hate speech and xenophobia at the level of the grassroots populations.

They will also use the various messages communications gadgets for the fight against Hate speech placed at their disposal by the Commission, without modifying them, except approved.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3451 of Wednesday May 21, 2025