2008 Presidential Elections in Zimbabwe.

The Nico Halle & Co. Law Firm has once more been honoured. Our Senior Managing Partner, Barrister Nico Halle was invited by the Chairman of the African Union to be part of the African Union Observer Mission to monitor the Second Round Presidential Elections in Zimbabwe which held on June 27, 2008. This invitation was no doubt in recognition of Mr. Halle's experience as an Election Observer, having successfully supervised and controlled three major elections in Cameroon as member of the National Elections Observatory viz: the 2002 twin Municipal and Legislative Elections, the 2004 Presidential Elections and also the 2007 Municipal and Legislative Elections.

Légère hausse du budget 2008 au Cameroun.

Les députés camerounais ont adopté samedi 8 décembre la loi de Finances 2008, qui s’équilibre en recettes et en dépenses à la somme de 2.276 milliards FCFA, a-t-on appris dimanche 9 décembre de source officielle. Ce budget, note-t-on, connaît une hausse de 25 milliards FCFA en valeur absolue, soit 1,11% en valeur relative par rapport à l’exercice qui s’achève. Cette enveloppe consacre 53,91% des finances aux dépenses de fonctionnement, 23,64% aux investissements et 22,45% au service de la dette. L’adoption samedi 8 décembre du budget 2008 a donné lieu à une longue nuit de tractations, plusieurs élus ayant posé comme préalable au vote la revalorisation des salaires dans la Fonction publique, une éventualité que le gouvernement juge inopportune pour l’instant. Le gouvernement envisage d'atteindre l’année prochaine certains objectifs économiques, notamment un taux de croissance du Produit intérieur brut (PIB) de 4,5%, un taux d’inflation d’environ 3% en moyenne annuelle, un solde budgétaire global d’environ 1,5% du PIB et un déficit extérieur courant de moins de 3% du PIB.

World Press Freedom Day.

Cameroonian journalists joined their counterparts the world over to celebrate World Press Freedom Day on May 03, 2008. The Cameroon Association of English-speaking Journalists (CAMASEJ) organised a grand meeting at the North West Provincial Headquarters of Bamenda to mark the day.

NEO PUBLISHES 2004 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS REPORT.

The National Elections Observatory (NEO) on May 11, 2006 made public its Report on the October 11, 2004 Presidential Elections. The President of NEO admitted that the 2004 Presidential Elections were plagued by irregularities, but that generally the elections were free, fair and transparent.

OFFICIAL INAUGURATION OF JOSS INTERCHANGE.

The Prime Minister and Head of Government of The Republic of Cameroon, His Excellency Chief Ephraim Inoni on December 21, 2007 officially inaugurated a four-way flyover connecting the Administrative District of Douala to other parts of the city. This flyover that replaces the old Joss bridge was co-financed by the World Bank and the Republic of Cameroon to the tune of 52 Billion CFA Francs, 80% provided by the World Bank and 20% by the State of Cameroon under the Douala Infrastructure Project (DIP). The main objective of the Douala Infrastructure Project is to support Government and the Douala City Council enhance the effectiveness of the transportation system in Douala. Given the significant role that the Douala Port plays within the Cetral African sub-region, as well as the main linking role of the city's transportation chain both to the port and the industrial roads to the hinterlands, the project constitutes an essential investment not only for Cameroon, but also for Chad, Congo and the Republic of Central Africa.

LIMBE SHIPYARD PROJECT.

The Focal Points (inter-service think-tank) of the Limbe Shipyard Project met in Limbe from July 13 to 14, 2006. This meeting was aimed at assessing the recommendations of an earlier meeting held at the Prime Minister's office on December 19, 2005. At the end of the meeting it emerged that that the industrial complex would be completed and equipped in 2007. By the end of December 2007, oil tankers will start docking in the yard for repairs. The mission of the Limbe Shipyard Project will be to repair oil tankers, oil rigs and derricks.

SPORTS.

MTN GRABS 2010 WORLD CUP GLOBAL SPONSORSHIP.

The MTN Group, the South African-based multinational telecommunications company last week announced a sealed deal with FIFA to become the first ever African company to be named global sponsor of a World Cup tournament. Announcing the Group's US$ 65 Million sponsorship over four years, MTN Group President and CEO - Phuthuma Nhleko said "This is probably the most significant global event that will take place in Africa in the foreseeable future. The event provides significant attractive opportunities for Africa to show-case its ability to host events of such magnitude."

Congratulating MTN, FIFA President Joseph Sepp Blatter said that Africa's time had come and that the continent would shine on the global stage in 2010.

MTN CAN/WORLD CUP 2010.

Cameroon's National Football Team - the Indomitable Lions are presently topping their poll with ten points at the end of the first round qualifying matches for the 2010 African Cup of Nations in Angola and World Cup in South Africa.