CRADEC contributed to the AFRODAD Media Initiative (AFROMEDI) II training from March 21 to 23, 2022 in Yaoundé, organized by the African Forum on Debt and Development (AFRODAD) in collaboration with Africa Development Interchange Network (ADIN) . The objective of this intervention was to demonstrate to participants from the media and CSOs the link between tax justice, illicit financial flows and debt, and the consequences on the financing of the African economy. The activity ended with the launch of the continental network MEDIA DEBT NETWORK AFRICA/Cameroon, a network to which CRADEC has joined.
The Cameroonian chapter of the event was under the theme “Media, participatory governance and responsible debt for sustainable development in Africa”. The conference in a blended Nairobi in-person format with groups of partner countries connecting virtually aimed to: Contribute to journalists' existing knowledge and understanding of debt management and related financing issues in Africa; Exchange innovative and effective techniques for monitoring and reporting on public debt and related issues; and, Launch a network of journalists capable of adequately reporting on debt management, participatory governance for sustainable development and related issues at national, regional and continental levels.
With the lingering COVID-19, and other unexpected shocks, African governments are losing the fiscal space they need, as well as the benefits of previous tax reforms or efforts to reduce illicit financial flows. This has a negative impact on domestic resource mobilization (DRM). The international debt architecture is skewed and seems to favor creditors who profit from indebtedness.
The pandemic, beyond its negative effects on economies, has highlighted the need to call on the various national, regional and international actors, including the media, to unite to deal with the crisis. The different actors must work together to create or promote the necessary processes for an equitable economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and to prevent future economic crises. Concerted media efforts beyond the national level have also become crucial, as the socio-economic challenges facing countries have roots that can be better understood and addressed from a clear understanding of the ecosystem of debt at different levels.
The AFRODAD Media Initiative (AFROMEDI) II enabled Cameroonian participants, meeting in Yaoundé and connecting from other localities in Cameroon, to interact with other participants from across Africa to share views on how best to make the media relevant in the debt advocacy process in Africa. It was an opportunity for journalists and media professionals to build their capacities and share good practices on debt information issues and to discuss how to organize themselves to produce quality information. The Cameroonian chapter of the AFRODAD Media Initiative (AFROMEDI) has far exceeded its objectives of contributing to journalists' knowledge and understanding of debt, of exchanging innovative and effective monitoring and reporting techniques, of building a network of journalists capable of adequately reporting on debt management and related issues.
