Promoting Bilingualism : Practice Evaluated In Security Institutions

Ensuring the equal use of the two official languages in Cameroon is the principal objective of the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism, created in January 2017.  Since September 25, 2023, members of the Commission have been on field visits nationwide to evaluate the practice of the concept of bilingualism in some State institutions. The Vice Chairperson of the Commission, Oumarou Djika, leader of the delegation in the Centre Region, and accompanied by Prof. Abbe Bodo (Member), was at the Combined Services Military Academy (EMIA) on October 3, 2023 to assess the implementation of the policy, as prescribed by the December 24, 2019 law on the promotion of official languages. Welcomed by the Commander of the institution, Colonel Nang Zengue Roger, the members of the Commission were shown around the campus, beginning at the English laboratory. 
Besides evaluating the practice of bilingualism, the Vice Chairperson in his preliminary statement said they also want to vulgarise the activities of the Commission and get opinion on how to improve their services. It is the maiden visit by the Commission to EMIA. According to Oumarou Djika, they are interested in knowing how the institution that trains high ranking defence and security officers for Cameroon, Africa and the world, uses English and French in its daily activities. “Our Commission is charged with the duties of promoting bilingualism and multiculturalism, aspects that favour peace, national unity and reinforce daily social cohesion. With legal dispositions that provide for the equal use of English and French, we are here to see how EMIA promotes and protects bilingualism,” he stated. The Vice Chairperson also used the opportunity to talk about multiculturalism and hate speech. He stressed that hate speech, mostly shared on social media is affecting social cohesion. Oumarou Djika thus explained that it was within...