Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Mimi Mefo Info (Editor)
Published on 2024-02-19 18:48:43
Cameroon Bar Council President Condemns Governmental Crackdown on Teachers Wanting to Travel Abroad
In a recent interview with Equinoxe TV, Cameroon Bar Council President Mbah Eric Mbah criticized the ongoing crackdown on teachers who wish to leave the country for better opportunities, stating that it is illogical and violates their freedom of movement.
Mbah Eric emphasized that preventing teachers from traveling abroad, a well-documented issue in Cameroon, infringes on their basic rights and will not solve the underlying problem of emigration from the country.
The Bar President urged the government to address the root causes of the brain drain phenomenon in Cameroon, rather than implementing superficial measures. He emphasized the need to improve living conditions and provide incentives to encourage professionals to stay in the country, rather than resorting to restricting their movements.
Reports have emerged of Cameroonian teachers, particularly those employed by the State, facing harassment and exploitation at airports in the country. Airport authorities have allegedly been preventing teachers from leaving, citing government instructions.
While no official statement has been made by Cameroonian authorities regarding the travel restrictions on teachers, activists have raised concerns about the discriminatory treatment and violation of the right to freedom of movement.
One such activist, Ndifor Richard, denounced the practice, highlighting the exploitative demands placed on teachers by airport officials. He emphasized the need for the government to address the root causes of emigration and focus on understanding the reasons behind the increasing number of teachers leaving the country.
The Cameroon Bar Council has taken action by demanding an immediate end to the victimization of teachers, stressing that teachers are not the only professionals facing this issue.
In addition to teachers, the phenomenon of brain drain has affected various professionals in Cameroon. Young, educated individuals are driven to seek better opportunities abroad due to factors such as unemployment, economic hardship, injustice, corruption, lack of freedom of expression, and conflict within the country.
President Paul Biya acknowledged the growing desire of Cameroonian youth to emigrate and emphasized the need for them to stay and contribute to the development of their homeland. He urged the youth to consider the opportunities available in Cameroon and discouraged leaving the country at all costs.
The need to tackle the root causes of emigration in Cameroon is imperative, and the Bar Council President emphasized that creating a more comfortable environment in the country will encourage individuals to stay. The Bar has also expressed its willingness to support any Cameroonians whose rights have been violated, including teachers allegedly barred from traveling abroad.
The crackdown on teachers attempting to travel abroad is just one aspect of the broader issue of emigration from Cameroon. The government has been striving to address absenteeism within the public service, with reports of teachers and civil servants traveling abroad while continuing to receive salaries. The Minister of Secondary Education, Nalova Lyonga, has taken measures to suspend the salaries of absentee teachers, particularly those from the English-speaking regions where armed conflict has contributed to their departure.
Overall, the article sheds light on the complex issue of emigration from Cameroon and the need for the government to address the underlying causes while upholding individuals’ fundamental rights.
Read the original article(French) on Mimi Mefo Info
