Politicians use social media in Cameroon election campaigns

Record ID: 1358681

  • Title: Politicians use social media in Cameroon election campaigns
  • Date: 1st October 2018
  • Summary: DOUALA, CAMEROON (SEPTEMBER 27, 2018) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WORKING ON COMPUTER AT HEADQUARTERS OF OPPOSITION LEADER JOSHUA OSIH
  • Embargoed: 15th October 2018 16:34
  • Keywords: Social media elections Cameroon Anglophomne crisis political campaigns
  • Location: DOUALA, CAMEROON
  • City: DOUALA, CAMEROON
  • Country: Cameroon
  • Topics: Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
  • Reuters ID: LVA001908IX5J
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:With six days left to Cameroon's general elections, political parties are busy looking for innovative ways to woo more voters.
    Opposition Presidential candidate Joshua Osih of the Social Democratic Front (SDF) is using his new internet based campaign to reach more Cameroonians.
    At his campaign headquarters in Cameroon's largest city Douala, a team of volunteers work to update his social media networks including Facebook and Twitter among others.
    "You have a poll that looks at the campaign strategy, which also defines the strategy and planning. You have a poll that looks at all social media activities and in this case it means, tracking all information and news that is released on the candidate on all social media platforms. You have a poll that looks at marketing as well as e-mails that are sent to potential voters. Today, we have sent over 1 million e-mails," said Patrick Tomi, the social media manager for Joshua Osih's campaign.
    Nine candidates will stand for election on Friday (October 7) including 85-year-old President Paul Biya, who is widely expected to extend his 35 years in power.
    Analysts say social media plays a significant role in politics and in Cameroon, it's expected to be an important tool in the October 7th poll.
    Social media creates opportunities for voters, politicians and civil society to contribute and engage in more open discussions making leaders more accessible to people and getting the public involved in decision making.
    "You know, today, social media is the main source for news. So even for us, we have to give it 100 percent, and ensure that young people can see what our candidate is doing. For the last seven years, since his victory in 2011, we have had one goal and it's to see him (Paul Biya) win the elections in 2018," said Jacob Kiari, President of the youth wing of the ruling party People's Democratic Movement (RDPC).
    Some politicians are already engaging in online chats with supporters to answer potential voter's questions.
    Many youth are also using the platform to show support or argue out their views, as well as easily keep track of their politicians online.
    "It allows us to judge on the relevance of what the different candidates are offering. It also allows the voter to have access to Information, even if it's at the last minute," said one Douala resident, Pierre Youtebo.
    According to a French media study published in 2017, 68 percent of individuals aged 15 and over are registered on a social media network, with Facebook being the most popular network.
    Analysts such as digital communication expert Jean Raoul Anyia say the candidates increased presence online is the result of a significantly higher internet connectivity in Cameroon.
    "What has encouraged the different candidates to also campaign on social media is the increase of internet penetration in Cameroon. Internet penetration has gone from 11 percent in 2015 to 21 percent in 2016, and today we are at 25 percent on average," said Anyia.
    Biya is expected to easily extend his 36-year rule in the Oct. 7 vote but the insurgency by Anglophone rebels has emerged as his government's most serious challenge in years.
    The clashes between insurgents fighting for a breakaway republic in Cameroon's English-speaking region and security forces have killed scores of people and displaced tens of thousands more since the conflict intensified late last year.
    Social media has been highlighting prominent topics, such as security crisis and alleged abuses by insurgents and Cameroonian soldiers in the country's English speaking regions.
    This has led many to fear that Cameroonian authorities may shut down the internet in the lead up and during the vote, as it did in early 2017 to stamp out unrest in the English speaking region.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2018. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register