Cameroon government commended for sanction against Afrique Media

Gathered in a forum on August 13 in Abidjan, Cameroonian associations operating in Côte d'Ivoire revisited the ties of friendship that binds the two brotherly countries and especially "organized propaganda by some media in Cameroon against Ivorian authorities" defiling the good relations between Cameroon and Ivory Coast.

In their final statement issued after the forum, the Federation of Associations of Cameroonians in Côte d'Ivoire condemned the false propaganda that some Cameroonian media are waging against the government of Ouattara.

"The media and Cameroonian opinion leaders who indulge, like Afrique Media and Vision 4, in promotion of contempt, hatred and lies against the legitimate and legal authorities of Côte d'Ivoire must be fought with the utmost energy," the statement said.

The Federation welcomed "the growing awareness of this nuisance by the Cameroonian authorities" that allowed temporary suspension of the Afrique Media channel.

The propaganda made against the Ivorian authorities is "a direct threat organized" by Afrique Media and Vision 4 "against the security and serenity of Cameroonians living in Côte d'Ivoire". This propaganda creates hatred, is life-threatening to Cameroonians on Ivorian soil.

The Federation invites the media concerned and politicians who accompany them to dwell on the Cameroonian news such as corruption, growing insecurity and leave the affairs of the Ivory Coast to Ivorians.

Declaration by the federation of Cameroonian associations in Ivory Coast against the hatred by some Cameroonian medias against Ivorian authorities.

We, Cameroonian associations living in Ivory Coast, meeting in a Forum on Thursday, August 13, 2015 in Abidjan, come by this opportunity to inform the Ivorian and international public of our opinion in the following statement:

1. Considering the friendship and brotherhood that long unites the Ivorian and Cameroonian peoples

2. Considering the importance of peace, justice, economic and social progress in all nations of contemporary Africa

3. Considering that the role of the press in all African countries today is to help inform the public, so that human rights, good governance, shared prosperity are the realities all

4. Considering objectively peace, serenity and Republican economic progress that has taken foot in Ivory Coast since the end of the painful electoral crisis 2010-2011

5. Considering that the role of foreigners in Côte d'Ivoire is to respect the institutions of the host country, to respect the laws and live in harmony with all the people around them

6. Considering that some African Press, based in Cameroon, has unfortunately fierce in recent years to discredit vehemently sovereign authority of the people of Côte d'Ivoire, in disregard of historical truth, democracy, the propriety and diplomatic tact requirement that characterizes the relations between civilized nations

7. Considering the attitude of some Cameroonian media obsessed with the Ivorian business while Cameroon is itself confronted with a multifaceted and tragic crisis;

We affirm solemnly and collectively, in the light of all the foregoing that:

1. The friendship and brotherhood of Ivory Coast -Cameroon is not just words for us, but behaviors that imply respect and tact. Therefore we oppose any Cameroonian instrumentalization of the Ivorian news at the expense of the real problems of Cameroon.

2. The peace, justice and progress of African countries through a language and responsible for all the awareness of our pan-African unity destiny. We denounce all the irresponsibles who want to harm these ideals.

3. The media and Cameroonian opinion leaders who indulge, like Africa Media and Vision 4, promotion of contempt, hatred and lies against the legitimate and legal authorities of Côte d'Ivoire must be fought with the utmost energy. We therefore welcome the growing awareness of this nuisance by the Cameroonian authorities.

4. The dissemination of false, delusional and cynical by hate propaganda against the Ivory Coast authorities is a serious violation of conditions of peace, serenity and prosperity of the Ivorian population and foreigners in Ivory Coast. We Cameroonians in Ivory Coast, so do we recognize at all in the negative image that the Cameroonian compatriots want to give the Ivorian Republican regime!

5. The organized propaganda by some media in Cameroon against the Ivorian authorities is a direct threat against the media organized by the safety and serenity of Cameroonians living in Côte d'Ivoire. Therefore, we denounce and strongly condemn this propaganda we dissociate ourselves completely! We also urge our Ivorian brothers not to confuse everything Cameroonians with all that is hostile to the Ivory Coast. We refuse to be used as scapegoats for the manipulated hate!

6. The legitimacy and legality embodied by the Republican President Alassane Ouattara can not suffer any objective challenge, since he was regularly and overwhelmingly elected in democratic conditions and certified by the UN, as part of a clearly political alliance and a clear majority

7. The media and politicians that make Cameroon-Côte d'Ivoire trade funds should primarily focus on the specific problems of Cameroon which are are widespread like corruption, growing insecurity, poverty of the many, the uncertainties of the youth.

8. Mass media channels hatred, propaganda and lies on the Côte d'Ivoire by Africa Media and Vision 4 and other auxiliaries of mass manipulation deserve respect for freedom of expression, be made by Cameroonian authorities meet all of their responsibilities, so that the Ivorian democracy is respected and the safety of all the people of Côte d'Ivoire, saved!

This statement will be distributed and disseminated everywhere so that no one ignores.

Long live friendship and brotherhood of Ivorian-Cameroon!

Long live democracy and the rule of law in Africa!

Abidjan, this Thursday, August 13, 2015.

Signed by:

Nicodemus Fotso, President of CPR-CI (for the Republic of Cameroon in Ivory Coast)

Professor Franklin Nyamsi, President of the Collective Diasporic Cameroon (CDC)

Jeanine Mengue Mballa, President of the Cameroon Association of Friends of the Ivory Coast (ACAI)

Mohamadou Djibril, President of the Association of West African Cameroon (CSCL)

Emmnuel Pouga, Honorary President of the Association of BA NA BA Cameroon (BBC)

Pascal Tchuegeun President of the Association of Cameroonian economic operators in Ivory Coast

Joseph Epoupe Ekoue, President of the Association of Cameroonians executives of Côte d'Ivoire (ACCI)

Ngangoum Parisien, President of the Cameroon Association 237 Dhinn Charles, president of the cultural association Ivory Coast Cameroon (ACCIC)

Wendji Jacques, president of the Cameroonian Association lions Abobo

Kamdoum joseph, President of No Man Run Association (MNM) Ivory Coast

Dimas Kenmegne, President of the association of young Cameroonians of Cote d'Ivoire (AJRCCI)