The Regular Migration Café
📌 Amphi 700, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I
🗓️ Thursday 15 May 2025
Context
The phenomenon of migration has become a social scourge in Cameroon rather than a factor in development. It is now important and even vital to restore the very meaning of this concept for young people in our country, so that those who migrate regularly and with solid motivations can contribute to the development of their country of origin.
The aim of this activity is to raise awareness among young Cameroonians, improve their perception of their country and present the socio-economic integration opportunities offered by the government and its partners, all with a view to reducing irregular migration to Cameroon.
For this exercise, the Ministry of Youth and Civic Education, through the Programme d’Aide au Retour et à l’Insertion des Jeunes de la Diaspora (PARI-JEDI), in partnership with the International Organisation for Migration, is joined by the Ministry of External Relations, the Délégation Générale de la Sûreté Nationale and a number of experts.
“The celebration of Unity Day gives us the opportunity to talk to people about issues that concern them”.
With these words, Enselme EPOKO EPOKO, national coordinator of PARI-JEDI, began his speech by pointing out to the day’s target audience, medical students, that the issue of migration is a burning issue in our country these days.
He went on to talk about the special citizen and patriotic migration operation launched by MINJEC to tackle the problem of irregular migration in Cameroon.
The aim is not to prevent migration, but to educate young people to migrate properly and in compliance with regulations, so that they can benefit their country of origin. To achieve this, the stakeholders in the process, such as MINREX and the DGSN, have been mobilised, along with certain members of the diaspora, to educate future young Cameroonian doctors.
Following the PARI-JEDI coordinator, YOKO Yves, representative of IOM Cameroon, took the floor.
He began by reminding the young people who the IOM is, what its missions are and how it works to achieve its objectives.
The IOM, which stands for International Organisation for Migration, is a United Nations organisation that oversees migration throughout the world. It works for the respect, dignity and well-being of migrants, but also for the understanding of migration issues, economic and social promotion through migration, and even to meet the growing challenges posed by the management of migratory flows.
Migration is a right, but a regulated right
After the testimony of a regular migrant, we then follow the testimony of an irregular migrant.
His name is Alain Robert LIPOTHY and he tells his story.
He left Cameroon after his baccalauréat for a perilous journey through Nigeria, Tunisia and Morocco before ending up in Spain.
A difficult, painful and very unpleasant experience.
On his return, he now works to support returning migrants and help them reintegrate into society.
He therefore invites his young brothers to make the right decisions, to avoid this adventure and to believe in entrepreneurship to make our country a paradise.
We are now against irregular migration and in favour of regular migration.
Another speaker is here. Also from the Diaspora, he has a degree in leadership and is an expert in the strategic development of projects and businesses. His name is Ervé MANDENG
He too speaks from experience to help young people discover their true vocation.
“who am i really?
“Why was I born?
These are the questions he recommends to young people.
His story provides some lessons. For example
– not every opportunity is an opportunity. You accept opportunities according to who you are
– avoid “professional prostitution”. Don’t choose a job based on how much you earn, but based on your passion.
– Travelling is not the same as moving. Travelling means combining your origins with the goodness of your destination.
– Travel to be Cameroonians abroad and not a member of the Diaspora. It is the Cameroonian abroad who will think about developing his country.
“Travelling is good.
We then hear from a Cameroonian woman from the American diaspora. Her name is Jocelyne ESSAM Epse NGASSA, and she speaks openly with her young children and brothers.
After telling her personal story, she appreciates MINJEC’s initiative to promote safe, regular and orderly migration.
Having seen and lived with some Cameroonians who have migrated irregularly, she eventually decided to come and raise awareness among young people about migration, but on the ground she realises that
“The more people tell you not to leave, the more you want to leave”.
So she changed her approach and now tells young people “you want to leave, no problem, but leave in the right way”.
This is the aim of her NGO, HOPE.
She therefore invites all those who want to migrate to get in touch with structures that can help them to do so, such as PARI-JEDI.
Another message to young people
“you can succeed here in cameroon”.
In fact, she is talking about entrepreneurship, which these days, even in Europe and America, is the driving force behind wealth and growth, and yes, it is possible to be a good entrepreneur in Cameroon too.
Good luck in your business ventures
The next speaker is a representative of the DGSN, Police Commissioner ZAKARI YAOU from the Border Police Directorate.
After the usual civility, he opts for a pedagogical approach, first presenting a few cases of irregular migrants in their trials and tribulations.
A talk in pictures
Two questions are put to the young people to introduce the lesson
1st question
Who wants to go to “mbeng” 😏
The young people’s reaction in pictures
2nd question
Who wants to die in the desert trying to get to “mbeng” 🧐
The image speaks
The reactions of the young people therefore allow the commissioner to present to them the normal process for regular migration
First of all, the documents you need to provide
Legalised photocopy of the birth certificate
Legalised photocopy of the national identity card for those who already have it
For minors, parental consent
Young people pay attention
Steps in the passport issuing process
“It’s no secret that you can get your passport in Yaoundé in just one day”.
Says Police Commissioner ZAKARI YAOU
The exchanges now
Why promote migration if staying is a good thing?
Can you get your passport from your receipt?
To answer the first question, Ervé MANDENG tells the young person that whether or not he leaves depends on each individual.
Everyone needs to get to know themselves and seize the opportunities that will enable them to fulfil their potential. If their potential is to blossom abroad, then why not go there? What’s important is the motivation and the objective
For the second concern, the commissioner replied that it was possible, but that it was necessary to contact the relevant department.
To conclude, the coordinator of PARI-JEDI said to the young people: “REGULAR MIGRATION IS OK, but CAMEROON IS A PARADISE. ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS WORK AND WORK AND LEAVE NO PLACE WHERE OUR HANDS WILL NOT GO AROUND“.
Interview de Anselme EPOKO EPOKO, Coordonnateur National PARI JEDI
Interview of Sharonne WODJO DAÏSSAGUE
Interview of Hinorine ABEGA AWONO, Student of the University of Yaounde
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