In a closely contested election on Saturday, December 16, Jude Viban secured a second term as the National President of the Cameroon Association of English-speaking Journalists (CAMASEJ).
133 English-speaking journalists and media practitioners voted in the election that took place in Bamenda during the CAMASEJ elective general assembly.
Following his victory, Viban called for unity among journalists, urging them to rally behind his administration for the betterment of the association.
Defeating his opponent, Cham Victor, by 79 votes to 54, Viban emphasised the need for journalists to set aside differences and work collaboratively within CAMASEJ to thwart external challenges.
“If they didn’t give us a hundred percent of votes, it means there are some things I did during my previous mandate that were not right, and we have to correct ourselves on that and look at the reason why they gave us a second mandate and continue working in that light,” stated Viban during an interview.
The newly reelected president underscored the importance of unity, saying, “I’m calling on all journalists to unite. Let’s not give ourselves to the enemy outside. Let’s come together and make a solid association, and let’s continue to forge ahead.”
Viban’s reelection campaign centred on the professionalisation of CAMASEJ, an association that has united English-speaking journalists in Cameroon since its establishment in 1992.
Taking over from CRTV journalist Simon Lyonga in 2019, Viban asserted that he revitalised the association, particularly in its founding chapter, Buea, which was dormant before his administration took charge.
For the upcoming four years, Viban outlined plans to establish offices in three out of the association’s six chapters and organize additional training sessions for journalists.
“…ours is a trademark that we want to build, and that starts and continues from today. So in the next four years, when we are coming for another general assembly, we’ll be organising a general assembly where it will be a popular one and where we’ll have a lot of things to pass on to the next generation,” asserted Viban.
His opponent, Cham Victor, the publisher of Municipal Updates newspaper and first-time contestant, focused his campaign on promoting unity within CAMASEJ.
His plans included reuniting the association and fostering increased collaboration among its chapters.
Victor also expressed intentions to construct a permanent secretariat for CAMASEJ in Buea and implement measures to ensure journalists’ protection.
Viban initially faced two opponents until freelance journalist Sah Terence withdrew from the race at the final moment, transferring his vote to Cham Victor.
The newly reelected president will oversee the management of a $300,000 grant recently awarded to the association by the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA).
Viban outlined that these funds would support workshops for journalists and provide professional kits to reporters and media organizations under his administration.
However, the Viban administration faces a huge challenge both internally and externally.
Internally, he will have to rebuild confidence with the Douala chapter of the association, which distanced itself from his administration during the last four years.
The Viban administration will also need to defend journalists and the media amid victimisation of journalists and increasing government attempts to regulate the press.
