Despite Africa accounting for ~20% of the global cattle population, prevalence estimates and related risk factors of bovine tuberculosis (bTB), caused by Mycobacterium bovis, are still poorly quantified in many countries across the continent. Control of bTB in Africa is difficult due to poor monitoring of cattle movements and limited abattoir surveillance. Also M. bovis is zoonotic and risk factors for transmission include living in close contact with cattle and consumption of unpasteurised milk. Cattle keeping is integral to some rural populations in Cameroon and understanding the epidemiology of bTB in cattle populations is important both to bovine and public health. Detection of bTB in cattle is difficult due to variability of immune responses to M. bovis infection. The interferon-γ (IFN-γ) assay maybe useful to estimate bTB prevalence and identify bTB risk factors in Cameroon. However its performance can vary at different stages of bTB pathogenesis and in different cattle populations. Recently Fasciola hepatica co-infections have been reported to suppress IFN-γ responses in M. bovis infected cattle but the potential effect with F. gigantica co-infections on bTB prevalence estimates in Cameroon is unknown. An abattoir study was conducted in Cameroon to assess the performance of the IFN-γ assay. In 2012-13; 2064 slaughtered cattle were sampled from Bamenda abattoir (North West Region; NWR) and Ngaoundere abattoir (Vina Division; VD). Individual animal data was collected from routine meat inspection including identification of bTB and Fasciola pathology. Cattle were also tested for bTB using the IFN-γ assay and an M. bovis antibody ELISA. In the absence of a gold-standard diagnostic, the IFN-γ assay was compared to other diagnostic tests to assess agreement and identify factors that affected performance of the assay. Agreement between IFN-γ assay, TB lesion identification and an M. bovis antibody ELISA was poor-moderate, probably partly related to differences in immune response detected. A presence of Fasciola gigantica also increased the odds of false negative IFN-γ assay results. On further investigation co-infected cattle had increased odds of TB lesions and reduced IFN-γ responses that potentially could lead to ~20% reduction in test sensitivity. In an attempt to take into account the potential impact of F. gigantica, when estimating bTB prevalence, an antibody ELISA was developed to detect the exposure in live cattle. To highlight the awareness of disease in cattle-rearing communities, estimate prevalence and identify risk factors of bTB in cattle populations; two cross-sectional studies were conducted in 2013. A stratified clustered cross-sectional study of pastoral cattle herds, in the NWR and the VD, sampled 1448 pastoral cattle reared by 100 pastoralists. A smaller cross-sectional study sampled 60 dairy cattle from 46 small-holder co-operative dairy farmers. Individual animal data and herd-level data were collected and animals were screened by both the single comparative intradermal skin test (SCITT) and IFN-γ assay. Awareness of zoonotic TB was low yet consumption of raw milk was high in cattle-keeping communities highlighting the need for accurate bTB prevalence estimates. Despite the high awareness of the clinical presentation of bTB, clinical signs identified by pastoral herdsmen were not associated with cattle being bTB positive. The SCITT was used to compare two manufacturers cut offs for the IFN-γ assay, ≥0.05 and ≥0.1, and highlighted that these two diagnostics may detect different populations of bTB positive cattle. Using the IFN-γ assay at ≥0.1, bTB prevalence was highest in dairy cattle (21.67%) and was also present in pastoral cattle in the NWR and VD (11.33% and 6.55% respectively). Importantly, as F. gigantica is endemic in Cameroon and its influence could mean the true prevalence of bTB could be higher. Female pastoral cattle were at lower odds of being IFN-γ assay positive potentially due to immunosuppressive factors had lower odds of disease. Husbandry practices also decreased the odds of being IFN-γ assay positive such as drinking from streams, antelope and contact with herds at grazing. Age increased the odds of pastoral cattle being IFN- assay positive potentially being a confounder to chronicity of bTB and other co-infections may influence IFN-γ responses. Dairy cattle herds had different risk factors for being IFN- positive likely due to differences in husbandry practices. Considering the potential risk to public health of M. bovis this thesis highlights the extent of bTB across two major cattle keeping regions in Cameroon and the public health risk in cattle-rearing communities. Furthermore the relationship between Fasciola co-infection and IFN- responses to M. bovis described has potential implications for bTB diagnosis in cattle populations where the parasite is present across the globe.

La fiscalité locale vue comme l’ensemble des mécanismes juridiques régissant la collecte des impôts locaux au profit en totalité ou en partie des collectivités locales apparaît au Cameroun avec la création formelle des villes en 1944. Avant cette réorientation de la fiscalité dans le Territoire du Cameroun sous tutelle, elle est en réalité un outil de domination coloniale au service des intérêts de la Puissance mandatrice. Au lendemain de l’indépendance du pays en 1960, le système fiscal local demeure inchangé avec la prédominance des CAC et une kyrielle de taxes et redevances dont la productivité demeure faible. La timide reforme de 1974 qui a pour but réel d’uniformiser le système fiscal après la réunification des deux Cameroun (Anglophone et Francophone) n’apporte en définitive aucune innovation majeure. Les mêmes difficultés persistent et s’empirent même avec la crise économique des années 90. Au-delà des facteurs externes, ces difficultés sont liées d’une part à l’archaïsme du mode d’organisation administrative et d’autre part à la faiblesse de la législation. Un espoir naît avec la réforme de 2009, fruit du processus de décentralisation en cours au Cameroun. Cette réforme, malgré ses avancées, reste toutefois en deçà des attentes et les collectivités locales dans leur immense majorité croupissent toujours dans l’extrême pauvreté. De nouveaux processus de recherche de ressources fiscales et non fiscales sont de plus en plus expérimentés, faisant la part belle à des partenariats de tous types et aussi à l’extension plus grande de la matière imposable au niveau local. Ces avancées pour plus d’efficacité auront fortement besoin d’une nouvelle forme d’administration de l’impôt local et d’un renforcement du dispositif législatif et réglementaire en s’efforçant de créer de meilleures relations entre l’Administration et les contribuables et aussi, puiser des expériences réussies ailleurs dans d’autres pays Africains de même niveau de développement. La réforme est possible contrairement à une idée véhiculée par les afro-pessimistes. Pour cela, un diagnostic clair de la situation doit être fait et accepté par l’autorité centrale mais aussi par les autorités locales et ensuite toutes les solutions mises en exergue dans cette étude devraient suffire pour sortir la fiscalité locale au Cameroun de sa torpeur. / Local taxes as all of the legal mechanisms for the collection of local taxes for the benefit in whole or in part of local communities appear in Cameroon with the formal creation of the cities in 1944. Before this reorientation of the taxation in the territory of Cameroon under trusteeship, it is actually a tool of colonial domination in the service of the interests of the colonial power. In the aftermath of the country's independence in 1960, the local tax system remains unchanged with the predominance of the ACC and a myriad of taxes and fees including productivity remain low. The timid reform of 1974 which has the real purpose of standardize the tax system after the reunification of the two Cameroon (Anglophone and Francophone) does in the end no major innovation. The same difficulties persist and worsen even with the economic crisis of the 1990s. Beyond the external factors, these difficulties are related to the bigotry of the administrative organization mode and on the other hand the weakness of legislation. A hope was born with 2009 reform, fruit of the ongoing decentralization process in Cameroon. This reform, despite its advances, rest however only below expectations and local communities in their vast majority are still in extreme poverty. New resources tax and nontax research processes are more experienced, strong partnerships of all kinds and the greater extension also taxable matter at the local level. These advances for efficiency strongly need a new form of administration of local tax and a strengthening of the legislative and regulatory system in striving to create better relations between the Administration and the taxpayers and also draw successful experiences elsewhere in other African countries at the same level of development. Reform is possible contrary to mediated by the afro-pessimists. For this, a clear diagnosis of the situation must be made and accepted by the central authority, but by local authorities and then all the implemented solutions highlight in this study should be sufficient to leave local taxation in Cameroon from its torpor.

The renewal of interest in religious healing methods in the past few decades, in response to various perspectives of illnesses, is ‘blowing’ through the PCC-one of the reformed churches in Africa. There are two underlying assumptions in this project: the first is that sickness constitutes a major threat to good health and the second is that the ministry of healing in the PCC is not contextual in view of respecting and incorporating the cultural, social, religious beliefs and values of its people in the formation of meaningful healing ministry. The healing ministry of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon is lacking in efficacy and essence because it does not make much meaning in the lives of the sick and their relatives. This project gives an overview of some of the causes of tensions that exist in the PCC concerning its ministry of healing. It critically analysis, interprets and discusses the empirical results of 26 (20 laity and six clergy) members of the Musang congregation alongside some theological reflections. The project explored and highlighted the importance of the traditional worldview regarding health, illness, healing and defines healing as the work of God and that it is imperative for the Church to focus on a more meaningful healing ministry that includes physical, spiritual, social and psychological aspects, thus healing needs to be holistic. Putting together the results of the literature review, the empirical research and the critical and theological reflections, the project suggests and affirms that there are theological, practical and socio-cultural reasons for the PCC to rethink, reformulate and reshape its healing ministry in the light of Jesus’ healing ministry. The project points out the theological, practical and cultural basis for a more meaningful ministry of healing within the PCC. These results reveal that the PCC has no choice but to embrace this emerging biblical healing ministry if it truly wants to remain faithful and in obedience to Jesus’ three but inseparable ministries of preaching, teaching and healing. Finally, the project proposes an integrated healing service as one of the ways towards a more practical and meaningful ministry of healing in the PCC at home and in the diaspora. Some objective comments and recommendations are also made. / Practical Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology)

Cette thèse de doctorat en géographie sociale et politique analyse les jeux d’acteurs dans la gouvernance foncière au Cameroun à l’aune des affectations foncières à des fins agro-industrielles qui y prévalent et qui ont pris des proportions ces dernières années suite à la politique économique axée sur l’attractivité des investissements directs étrangers adoptée par les autorités camerounaises dans la perspective du développement. Cette situation a fondamentalement induit une intensification des investissements dans le domaine de l’exploitation des ressources naturelles et spécifiquement de la ressource foncière. Ce qui n’a pas manqué d’attirer l’attention des médias et Ong tant locaux qu’internationaux qui accusent d’accaparement des terres les firmes agricoles étrangères qui y sont actives. Eu égard à ces griefs, le but de cette étude est d’apporter des éléments de clarification sur la situation qui y prévaut vraiment. Car, même si les compagnies agricoles étrangères ayant acquis ou sollicitant des terres au Cameroun ne sont pas vertueuses ; se focaliser sur elles comme étant les princes de la turpitude alors que les acteurs étatiques locaux en charge des politiques publiques en matières foncière seraient, par nature, des parangons de vertu n’est pas la bonne approche. Cette étude trouve son fondement dans le fait que plusieurs catégories d’acteurs aux intérêts divers et variés structurent l’écosystème des transactions foncières agro-industrielles au Cameroun. / This doctoral dissertation in social and political geography analyzes the actors' play in land governance in Cameroon in the light of the land uses for agro-industrial purposes that prevail and which have taken proportions in recent years following the policy economic policy focusing on the attractiveness of foreign direct investment adopted by the Cameroonian authorities in the perspective of development. This situation has fundamentally led to an intensification of investments in the field of exploitation of natural resources and specifically land resources. This has not failed to attract the attention of both local and international media and NGOs who accuse foreign agribusinesses active in the country of land grabbing. In view of these grievances, the purpose of this study is to provide clarification on the situation that really prevails. For, even if foreign agricultural companies having acquired or soliciting lands in Cameroon are not virtuous; to focus on them as princes of turpitude, while local state actors in charge of public land policies would be, by nature, paragons of virtue is not the right approach. This study is based on the fact that several categories of actors with diverse and varied interests structure the agro-industrial land transactions ecosystem in Cameroon.

The Gulf of Guinea Highlands is a unique mountane range of volcanic origin, situated on the African mainland in the borther of Nigeria and Cameroon, and the Gulf of Guinea islands of Bioko, S?o Tomé and Príncipe. This area is highly unique as the only large mountains in central and western Africa. The high degree of isolation of these mountains generated high degree of endemism of many groups of organisms; the whole region is thus one of the world biodiversity hotspots (known as the West African Forests). Despite its tremnedous conservation importance, this mountain range is under strong anthropogenic influence, as one of the most densely populated areas in tropical Africa. Despite all these factors, the conservation efforts in West Africa focused mainly on lowland areas of rain forests, whilst only few conservation effort is focused to the mountain habitats. As the other result, the lack of comprehensive biogeographic and phytogeographical studies of mountain flora and fauna is obvious. In this work, I have summarized the results of all crucial studies of the biogeography of the Gulf of Guinea Highlands. I also obtained sequences of three mitochondrial genes (COI, COII, and ND1) of an endemic montane butterfly Bicyclus anisops. Variability in the studied genes was relatively low. Phylogenetic analyses separated haplotypes into 7 well-established groups (1st Mt. Cameroon, 2nd Nkogam I, 3rd Nkogam II, 4th Bakossi-Kupe-Manengouba-Bani, 5th Mbam, 7th Hosséré Enla Fabo 6th all others localities (tj. Bamenda-Banso Mts., Acha Tugi, Mbam, Ngel Nyaki, Gotel Mts.)) but did not significantly resolved relationships among them. Based on the hyplotype diversity of B. anisops as an umbrella species, Mt. Cameroon, Nkogam, Mbam Massif, Mbiame, Hosséré Enla Fabo, Mt. Manengouba, Mt. Kupe and Mt. Oku are considered as localities of the highest conservation importance.

Submitted by Gustavo Pontes (gumoronta@yahoo.com.br) on 2013-07-12T18:25:00Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Avaliação da Produtividade de Biomassa de Capim Elefante e Sorgo Sacarino no estado do Ceará para uso Energético.pdf: 2086864 bytes, checksum: 3987c978819d5e09223220f3f414dac3 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Suzinei Teles Garcia Garcia (suzinei.garcia@fgv.br) on 2013-07-12T18:54:19Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Avaliação da Produtividade de Biomassa de Capim Elefante e Sorgo Sacarino no estado do Ceará para uso Energético.pdf: 2086864 bytes, checksum: 3987c978819d5e09223220f3f414dac3 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-07-12T19:51:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Avaliação da Produtividade de Biomassa de Capim Elefante e Sorgo Sacarino no estado do Ceará para uso Energético.pdf: 2086864 bytes, checksum: 3987c978819d5e09223220f3f414dac3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-06-21 / With the growing increase in the possibilities of using biomass in various industry sectors, this study aims to identify an alternative to increase the production of biomass using elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) or sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). The field experiments were carried out at Vitória farm (4°21'36 'S 38°5'17' W) on Beberibe, Ceará state, in a total area of 1,944 m2. Trees were planted in 36 randomized plots of 54 m2 using completely randomized statistical design, with 9 treatments (genotypes) and 4 replications. It was studied six different genotypes of sorghum, s_1, s_2, s_3, s_4, s_5 and s_6. A hybrid of elephant grass with millet (Pennisetum glaucum) commercially known as ‘paraíso’ cultivar and two treatments of elephant grass, Cameroon and Napier also took part in this study. For sorghum, 3 harvests were performed, in which the first was evaluated weekly and the others on one occasion. The elephant grass had two harvests, the first with an interval of 186 days and the second with a period of time of 92 days. The difference of days allowed the comparison of biomass productivity in each treatment in an interval of three and six months. The results showed that the most prominent treatments of biomass productivity were those with elephant grass, regardless of the harvest period, if three or six months. Based on this information, it was concluded that by analyzing only the biomass productivity the most suitable of the treatments studied is the elephant grass, Napier or Cameroon that statistically showed no significant difference. However, sweet sorghum presented a high productivity when it was used with a supplement, in a mixture that can be used in order to produce ethanol. / Com a crescente elevação nas possibilidades de utilização da biomassa nos mais diversos setores da indústria, o presente estudo visa identificar uma alternativa para aumentar a produção utilizando, para tanto, o capim elefante (Pennisetum purpureum) e sorgo sacarino (Sorghum bicolor L.). Os experimentos foram realizados na Fazenda Vitória (4°21'36'S 38°5'17'W) em Beberibe – CE, em uma área total de 1.944 m2. A semeadura foi realizada em 36 parcelas de 54 m2, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, sendo 9 tratamentos (genótipos) e 4 repetições. Foram utilizados seis diferentes genótipos de sorgo sacarino, s_1, s_2, s_3, s_4, s_5 e s_6. Fazem parte do estudo, ainda, um híbrido de capim elefante e milheto (Pennisetum glaucum), comercialmente conhecido como paraíso, e dois tratamentos de capim elefante, Cameroon e Napier. Para o sorgo sacarino, foram realizadas três colheitas, a primeira avaliada semanalmente e as demais com avaliação única. Para o capim elefante foram realizadas duas colheitas, a primeira com intervalo de 186 dias e a segunda com intervalo de 92 dias. Esse intervalo possibilitou a comparação da produtividade de biomassa de cada tratamento de forma trimestral e semestral. Os resultados observados mostraram que os tratamentos de maior destaque de produtividade de biomassa (base seca) foram com capim elefante, independente do período. Com base nessas informações, concluiu-se que, analisando apenas a produtividade de biomassa, o mais indicado dos tratamentos estudados é o capim elefante Napier ou Cameroon. No entanto, constatou-se que o sorgo sacarino apresentou grande potencial de produtividade com um aditivo, seu mosto pode ser utilizado no processo de fermentação para obtenção do etanol.

Cette recherche réalisée auprès des PME implantées en France et au Cameroun, montre que le comportement stratégique de l'entreprise exerce une influence positive significative sur la performance. L'environnement incertain n'exerce pas d'effet direct sur la performance, mais modère positivement la relation entre le comportement stratégique et la performance. En revanche, le rôle des variables culturelles est plus contrasté. Certaines exercent à la fois un effet direct sur les variables du comportement stratégique et jouent aussi le rôle de variables modératrices de la relation entre le comportement stratégique et la performance. D'autres exercent à la fois un effet direct sur la performance, en même temps qu'elles modèrent les relations entre le comportement stratégique et la performance. Les résultats par pays ne montrent pas de relation significative entre le comportement stratégique et la performance. Le pays n'est pas, non plus, une variable modératrice, mais exerce un effet direct significatif sur la performance. Les implications sur le plan managérial et théorique sont nombreuses. / This research of SMEs in France and Cameroon, shows that the strategic behavior of the company has a significant positive influence on performance. The environmental uncertainty has no direct impact on the performance, but positively moderate the relationship between strategic behavior and performance. However, the role of cultural variables is more contrasted. Some have both a direct effect on the strategic behavior variables and also play the role of moderating variables of the relationship between the strategic behavior and performance. Others are both a direct effect on performance, as they moderate the relationship between strategic behavior and performance. Results by country show no significant relationship between strategic behavior and performance. The country is not a moderator, but has a significant direct effect on performance. At the managerial and theoretical levels implications are numerous.

Magister Legum - LLM / The objective of this study is to explore the criminalisation of persons based on sexual orientation in Cameroon in light of that country’s international human rights obligation. The study examines the constitution and laws of Cameroon as applicable to sexual minorities. It aims to discuss recent developments in international human rights law with regard to the human rights basis for decriminalising homosexuality.

Magister Legum - LLM / As a case study, the paper analyzes the Bank’s role in the Chad-Cameroon Petroleum Development and Oil Pipeline project (the project) in which the Bank has been involved since the year 2000. The paper presents the lessons, challenges and implications from this protection of human rights.

Magister Legum - LLM / Indigenous peoples constitute at least 5000 distinct peoples with a population of more than 370 million, living in 70 different countries. These peoples are typically subjected to a number of human rights violations (being excluded from decision-making processes and forced to assimilate into dominant groups, among others). The plight of these peoples has recently received worldwide attention. In 1989, the international community adopted the Convention on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (Convention 169) to protect the rights of these peoples. In 2007 the UN adopted a Declaration on Indigenous peoples’ Rights. Attention is now focused on implementing indigenous peoples’ rights at the domestic level. Cameroon is not yet a party to Convention No.169 and so cannot be bound under the Convention to protect the rights of its indigenous peoples. Cameroon often denies any duty in this regard. However, Cameroon is party to core human rights instruments like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and Freedom. Cameroon also voted in favour of the adoption of the UN Declaration on Indigenous Peoples Rights. These international human rights instruments, with the exclusion of the Declaration, are not specifically dedicated to indigenous peoples’ rights. Given this situation, two questions arise: is Cameroon bound by any international legal obligation to protect the rights of its indigenous peoples; and if so, is Cameroon implementing the basic international law principles relating to indigenous peoples’ rights. Using an in-depth study and analysis of various international human rights treaties to which Cameroon is a party, this research will explore the grounds on which Cameroon, though not a party to Convention 169, can be held bound to protect the rights of its indigenous peoples (chapter 2). This research present the situation of the indigenous peoples in Cameroon and provide a brief overview of the legislative and policy measures taken by the government which in some way provide entry points for the protection of the rights of the indigenous people in Cameroon (chapter 3). A critical analysis of these measures highlights some areas of success but also work that remains to be done to ensure that the rights of Cameroon’s indigenous peoples are fully protected (chapter 4). The study concludes with a number of recommendations for further study and legal reform (chapter 5).