Shey Peter Mabu
23 June 2008
The 9th summit of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa, CEMAC opens in Yaounde tomorrow amid challenges to face squarely the socio-economic and security issues concerning the sub-region.
Officially launched on 25 June 1999, this sub-regional economic grouping, CEMAC which comprises, Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon has since focused its activities on fostering, harmonious development, effective trade among member states, creation of a genuine sub-regional common market, and ensuring free movement of people and goods within the sub-region. Another concern has been security and political stability.
For, without peace, political stability and security, it is difficult to ensure solidarity and integration of activities of the over 35 million people of this sub-region.
The 9th summit of CEMAC holds at a time when member states of the organization are confronted by a number of socio-economic challenges ranging from the ever-rising costs of basic commodities to disease and poverty. All these coupled with corruption, assaults, kidnappings and murders stemming from greed, narrow patriotism and protectionist tendencies must be redressed.
The task started by the ministerial council has to be continued not only by CEMAC Heads of State, but also citizens of this sub-region whose future depends on what is agreed upon and judiciously implemented in their interest. In this light, stakeholders of our sub-region, non-governmental organizations, private and public enterprises are expected to contribute their own quotas through commitment to whatever is agreed upon in the interest of member states of the sub-region.
CEMAC member states have for example, since the birth of the organization in June 1999 shown some concern about the need for good communication links between their peoples, reformed customs policy issues, CEMAC passports, poverty alleviation and free movement of people and goods within the sub-region. But what a surprise that there seems to be more of debate and resolution-taking than follow a up of action and constructive criticism of what is being undertaken? Members states of CEMAC and their leaders face the challenge of constantly sizing up their endeavours to compete positively with the developed nations as far as patriotic commitment to national objectives are concerned. For, it is such a spirit that enables citizens to work together with other nations to keep their regional economic groupings viable and profitable. CEMAC member states also face the challenge of relinguishing the retrograde tendencies that betray their political maturity at home and at sub-regional level. The fight against poverty, corruption and embezzlement, insecurity, indiscipline and illiteracy and zenophobia, for example, should be given the meaning deserved. For, who doubts that the rest of the world, especially admirers of our sub-region are surprised when they read, or hear of citizens of this, sub-region being expelled from other member states of their sub-region for no genuine reason.
As Heads of State of member nations of CEMAC begin meeting tomorrow to delve into the crucial socio-economic and political issues concerning their sub-region, it is the greatest wish of all peace-loving citizens, to have their leaders seek effective solutions to problems that rob us of the resources that ought to be channelled to developmental projects.
The people of this sub-region need good roads, sporting infrastructure, educational exchanges, effective cooperation and free movement of goods, people and services within the region.
This, we believe, is possible if besides constructive efforts at the national level citizens of member states demonstrate genuine patriotism by working hard to give meaning to resolutions taken in their interest at summits of Head of State.
It is also the desire of patriotic citizens to have their leaders delve carefully into the recommendations of the ministerial council and decide on what can be embraced so as to alter the disturbing trends, and move on to what is needed to ensure the development of the Central African Sub-region.
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i think its worth appreciating the achievvments so far as far CEMAC IS Concern.what is worth hitting hard on is corruption andbribery.this is what i think is cauing the association not to carry out its fucntions to its fullest .