TOWARD 2011: FOCUS ON "CHANGE" IN COUNTRY-WIDE ELECTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 YAOUNDE 001133 SENSITIVE SIPDIS PARIS PLEASE PASS TO ARS DEPARTMENT FOR IIP, AF/PDPA AND AF/C E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KIRC KPAO PREL OIIP SCUL PGOV CM SUBJECT: TOWARD 2011: FOCUS ON "CHANGE" IN COUNTRY-WIDE ELECTION ACTIVITIES ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Embassy Yaounde's highest priority Mission Strategic Plan goal is strengthening democracy and good governance, an objective of great importance as President Biya celebrates 26 years in power and 2011 Cameroonian presidential elections approach. To that end, Post used the U.S. elections to emphasize the tenets of representational democracy and the importance of free, fair, and transparent elections. Our efforts were specifically focused on the benefits of term limits, political change, and power alternation. Beginning with a Super Tuesday event in February and culminating with all-night election parties in both Yaounde and Douala, Post organized election-related activities that included numerous radio, television, and print interviews as well as public diplomacy events that reached seven of the country's ten regions, all three American Corners, four state universities, and a dozen primary and secondary schools. END SUMMARY. Get Out (To Explain) The Vote Efforts -------------- ¶2. (U) Post focused much of its elections programming on outlining the stakes of the presidential election, expressing the importance of participating in civic duties, and explaining the complexities of the Electoral College system. This included accommodating as many requests for press interviews as possible -- the Ambassador, DCM, and EmbOffs granted several dozen interviews on election night alone -- as well as many Embassy staff members engaging directly with Cameroonians through public speaking events. The Ambassador participated in a round-table discussion at the University of Yaounde II organized by a returned International Visitor participant, while the DCM led a round table discussion with high-profile contacts in Douala and spoke on a panel at the University of Buea. Pol/Econ Chief led discussions on the election at the University of Douala and the National Administrative School in Yaounde. Public Affairs worked with educational institutions to arrange visits for eight FSOs and two LES to a dozen primary and secondary schools to share their electoral experiences and insights. Additionally, we organized election-themed events at all three American Corners in Cameroon. Media and Civil Society Outreach -------------- ¶3. (U) Post organized several events for prominent media contacts and members of civil society in order to strengthen the capacity of these crucial sectors in anticipation of an increased role on their part in the 2011 Cameroonian presidential elections. We organized public diplomacy events where we played video excerpts of the two national conventions and the three presidential and vice-presidential debates, and we organized DVCs with ARS Paris. All of these events involved discussions that frequently went beyond the immediate context of the U.S. elections and focused on the Cameroonian political climate. Many of the participants in these events were among the more than 450 guests who attended our two all-night election events in Yaounde and Douala. Useful Tools -------------- ¶4. (U) Post sent three journalists to the United States on election-related Foreign Press Center exchange programs and a fourth as an Edward R. Murrow fellow during the elections. The journalists gained greatly from their experiences, and the articles generated from their programs added Cameroonian context and insight to the political debate. Biographies of the two candidates provided by the Office of Broadcast Services, and IIP products such as "Elections in Brief," eJournals, and America.gov and America.gov/fr, were particularly helpful in providing information and briefing materials to students and journalists. ARS Paris DVCs and speakers helped provide non-USG perspectives on the elections and were greatly appreciated by our audiences. GPS-produced election kits provided bi-partisan decorations and mock voting material that added an air of authenticity to our election night celebrations. "Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes" -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Comment: The message we conveyed throughout our election-related activities was the importance of change. Media interviews and public speaking events emphasized how term limits and changes in political power have benefited the United States by ensuring new leadership, fresh ideas, and accountability to the public. The concept was not lost on Cameroonians, many of whom noted they have had only two presidents since independence while during this time period the United States has elected ten. Press coverage of the election-related events was overwhelmingly positive, with many articles applauding principles that would lead to further YAOUNDE 00001133 002 OF 002 democratization in Cameroon. We know from the media coverage and the many comments of the participants in our public diplomacy programs that we succeeded in using the U.S. elections as a mechanism for stimulating popular discussion of democratization and good governance in Cameroon. The local media blitz on President-elect Obama, the influx of dozens of emotional congratulatory letters to the Ambassador, and the praise in official circles (including at the opening of the National Assembly, where the Speaker congratulated president-elect Obama to resounding applause) point to enormous excitement in Cameroon about our President-elect and great respect for the American electoral system. GARVEY