Cyber Criminality Under Examination

Experts from across Africa met at the University of Yaounde II, Soa last Fridayto find ways to curb the scourge on the continent.

Africa, in recent years, has been facing a spectacular increase in cyber criminality, a scourge that has not only dragged the continent to mud but has also contributed enormously to its economic and social slowdown. Its rise over the last couple of years has been manifested in different forms including forgery, swindling, hacking of electronic addresses, as well as the duplication of official websites via the internet. This has pushed stakeholders, who have Africa at heart, to reflect on ways of putting an end to the phenomenon. African officials, who find it difficult to face this scourge, are taking initiatives to put an end to this fraudulent activity which has already caused damages for internet users.

It is in this light that a one-day seminar on cyber-criminality was organised by the Centre for Political and Strategic Research (CREPS), of the University of Yaounde II, Soa. Participants, who included renowned strategist, analysts, experts in disaster management and conflict resolution, drawn from different countries of the continent, were unanimous that for the malpractice to be brought under control, African countries, have to train more people on how to manage such issues, acquire good material, and above all, have legislation on the crime.

Speaking at the seminar, which held under the theme, “Africa in the wake of cyber-criminality,” Prof. Marc Louis Ropivia, lecturer at the Omar Bongo University in Libreville, said cyber-criminality is taking centre stage in Africa, especially in the form of terrorism, piracy, and air-space navigation. He noted that all of these lead to adverse effects which range from collective insecurity to the slowdown in economic activities. The Director of CREPS, Prof. Josesph-Vincent Ntuda Ebode, noted that cyber criminality is a virtual threat that needs to be carefully handled and the public sensitized on its repercussions. In a scientific presentation, Ntuda Ebude revealed that the root cause of the crime is the advent of information and communication technology. Jean Tabi Manga, Rector of the University of Yaounde II Soa, said identifying ways of fighting the trend is of utmost importance to the continent and the central African Sub-Region in particular.

The seminar was organised in prelude to the solemn graduation ceremony of the third batch of CREPS. The students are leaving as holders of Masters in Strategy, Defence, security, Conflicts and Disasters Management, christened “Emergence Africaine.” The class delegate, Fumem Bih Elema said at a time when African countries are celebrating 50 years of Independence, it is necessary for them to contribute in the endeavour to move African countries to emerging ones. The batch patron, Michel Madoungou. Ambassador of Gabon to Cameroon was proud of the graduates, whom he said, will be movers and shakers of the continents endeavours in conflict and disaster management. The 58 graduates from Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon and Cameroon pledged to keep the flame of the fight against criminality on the continent burning.

Victorine BIY