The adviser to the Vice President of the World Bank, Celestin Monga, has said President Paul Biya will be rendering Cameroonians a big and purposeful service if he quietly withdraws from the political scene and abstains from running for the 2011 presidential elections. The international economist and prolific writer made the declaration in Yaounde on Monday 27 July at the dedication ceremony of his latest publications “Nihilism and Negritude”.
Answering questions on the possible candidature of President Paul Biya in the 2011 presidential elections, Monga said “Biya should do service to himself and to Cameroonians by withdrawing from the scene come 2011”.
He explained that Cameroon is so helplessly entrenched into moral misdeed that maintaining the leadership statusquo will certainly not bail the country out. The World Bank economist opined that the Head of State and his cronies were quite conscious of the lapses and the stakes ahead. He said the frenzy around ‘The Biya Code’ and the political strings therein attached could best explain the fear and panic of the regime and its leader, Paul Biya.“There are clear indications that Biya has been overwhelmingly overpowered by the trend of events, growing unemployment, embezzlement, moral decadence, excruciating poverty etc”.
Celestin Monga whose publication on the illegal financial transaction of the late Irene Biya in early 1990’s almost wrecked the regime, however, believes that the about twenty million Cameroonians have the right and responsibility to bring about change in Cameroon not only by changing leadership but fundamentally changing attitudes, life styles, ethical system, order and values.
“The ousting of President Paul Biya in itself will not make any sense or bring about the desired results if Cameroonians do not fundamentally change their attitudes, way of life, ethical values”, he said.About his new book, he explained that it was a collection of recollections or memories and reflections on reinvented Nihilism in Africa.
Published in March 2009 by the French university press, the book focuses on the Africaness of an African. The Nihilism and Negritude in Africans does not in anyway prevent them from living their African lives.
According to Valentin Yves Mudimba and Simeon Zinga who prefaced the book, “Negritude is the different manner Africans live their lives today”.On the relationship between the World Bank and the economic dilemma of African countries, the economist said it was not the place or mission of the bank to draw economic or development actions for any country.
“The World Bank has never developed any country. That is not its vocation. The World Bank is like a box containing money for sale to whoever wants to buy. They compel no one to get their money”, he clarified.He debunked claims that the World Bank has taken African countries hostage, pointing out that only military gangs take institutions or persons hostage.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
MOST WANTED 
REWARD $50000
Although Cameroon technically has a multiparty system, Biya controls all legislation and is allowed to rule by decree. In April 2008, he amended the constitution to allow himself to run for president again in 2011. The U.S. imported $544 million worth of crude and fuel oil from Cameroon in 2008 and exported $59 million worth of drilling and oilfield equipment.
REWARD $50000
Although Cameroon technically has a multiparty system, Biya controls all legislation and is allowed to rule by decree. In April 2008, he amended the constitution to allow himself to run for president again in 2011. The U.S. imported $544 million worth of crude and fuel oil from Cameroon in 2008 and exported $59 million worth of drilling and oilfield equipment.
Friday, July 24, 2009
President Biya to face difficult questions on official visit
Wednesday 22 July 2009
Cameroonian leader Paul Biya has arrived in France for a four-day official visit, however, his visit looks certain to be overshadowed by corruption allegations and tough questions on Laurence Vergne.
The president of Cameroon, Paul Biya, who arrived on Tuesday, will have to wait until Friday before meeting with his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy. Before being received at the Elysée Palace, the Cameroonian leader will meet former prime minister and current Bordeaux Mayor Alain Juppé, then dine with Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, before finally meeting with Sarkozy on Friday, the last day of his tour.
This four day wait before the official meeting with Sarkozy is being viewed in certain quarters as a sign of cooling relations between the two countries.“This is not a traditional state visit,” says Jean-Claude Shanda Tonme, director of the African Centre of International Politics and author of “Reflections on the Social Crises of Cameroon”. According to him, the rapport between the two heads of state is “rubbish”.For Antoine Glaser, editor in chief of “Letter From the Continent”, this visit from the so-called Sphinx – a reference to Biya and his taste for secrecy – symbolises the end of any special Franco-Cameroonian relationship. “This invitation looks like, above all, some sort of compensation, because last year Sarkozy promised to come to Cameroon in 2009, the only place in the CFA Franc (area of Africa which still uses the Franc) where he had not yet visited,” Glaser says. A diplomat close to the proceedings agreed with this perception, but wished to remain anonymous. “Due to his busy agenda, Sarkozy could not go to Yaoundé,” the diplomat said. “But in order to maintain France’s friendship with Cameroon, he sent Prime Minister François Fillon at the end of May and then invited Biya to France.”An officially tense visit Sarkozy will thus give his visiting counterpart only one interview and a luncheon. Biya, on the other hand, will need to face the Cameroonian diaspora, who are likely to ask him about goods he had acquired under suspect circumstances, revealed at the end of June by the Catholic Committee Against Hunger and for Development. “Cameroon’s civil society abroad also intends to let Biya know that it is time for him to leave political life,” says Guinean journalist Lanciné Camara, president of the International Union of African Journalists and a director at “African Duty” magazine. In power for the past 27 years, Biya the “Man-Lion” has ruled his country with an iron fist to ensure that he holds onto presidential office. In April 2008, the strong man of Yaoundé modified the constitution to allow himself to run for office again in 2011.In addition to demonstrations planned by Cameroonian opposition groups while he is in France, the fatal shooting of a 31-year-old French biologist, Laurence Vergne, in Yaoundé in January 2007 is also overshadowing Biya’s visit. During an official visit to Paris in October 2007, the Cameroonian leader assured the family of the victim that he “personally guaranteed” that justice would be done. But two years after the incident, the circumstances of the young woman’s death have still not been clarified. Yet another issue – that of a “free Cameroon” activist, Thierry Michel Atangana, who has been imprisoned in Yaoundé for 12 years for diverting public funds – also awaits Biya in Paris. At least, that is what his lawyer, Rémi Barousse, is hoping. Barousse has been lobbying for the transfer of his client to French soil.
Wednesday 22 July 2009
Cameroonian leader Paul Biya has arrived in France for a four-day official visit, however, his visit looks certain to be overshadowed by corruption allegations and tough questions on Laurence Vergne.
The president of Cameroon, Paul Biya, who arrived on Tuesday, will have to wait until Friday before meeting with his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy. Before being received at the Elysée Palace, the Cameroonian leader will meet former prime minister and current Bordeaux Mayor Alain Juppé, then dine with Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, before finally meeting with Sarkozy on Friday, the last day of his tour.
This four day wait before the official meeting with Sarkozy is being viewed in certain quarters as a sign of cooling relations between the two countries.“This is not a traditional state visit,” says Jean-Claude Shanda Tonme, director of the African Centre of International Politics and author of “Reflections on the Social Crises of Cameroon”. According to him, the rapport between the two heads of state is “rubbish”.For Antoine Glaser, editor in chief of “Letter From the Continent”, this visit from the so-called Sphinx – a reference to Biya and his taste for secrecy – symbolises the end of any special Franco-Cameroonian relationship. “This invitation looks like, above all, some sort of compensation, because last year Sarkozy promised to come to Cameroon in 2009, the only place in the CFA Franc (area of Africa which still uses the Franc) where he had not yet visited,” Glaser says. A diplomat close to the proceedings agreed with this perception, but wished to remain anonymous. “Due to his busy agenda, Sarkozy could not go to Yaoundé,” the diplomat said. “But in order to maintain France’s friendship with Cameroon, he sent Prime Minister François Fillon at the end of May and then invited Biya to France.”An officially tense visit Sarkozy will thus give his visiting counterpart only one interview and a luncheon. Biya, on the other hand, will need to face the Cameroonian diaspora, who are likely to ask him about goods he had acquired under suspect circumstances, revealed at the end of June by the Catholic Committee Against Hunger and for Development. “Cameroon’s civil society abroad also intends to let Biya know that it is time for him to leave political life,” says Guinean journalist Lanciné Camara, president of the International Union of African Journalists and a director at “African Duty” magazine. In power for the past 27 years, Biya the “Man-Lion” has ruled his country with an iron fist to ensure that he holds onto presidential office. In April 2008, the strong man of Yaoundé modified the constitution to allow himself to run for office again in 2011.In addition to demonstrations planned by Cameroonian opposition groups while he is in France, the fatal shooting of a 31-year-old French biologist, Laurence Vergne, in Yaoundé in January 2007 is also overshadowing Biya’s visit. During an official visit to Paris in October 2007, the Cameroonian leader assured the family of the victim that he “personally guaranteed” that justice would be done. But two years after the incident, the circumstances of the young woman’s death have still not been clarified. Yet another issue – that of a “free Cameroon” activist, Thierry Michel Atangana, who has been imprisoned in Yaoundé for 12 years for diverting public funds – also awaits Biya in Paris. At least, that is what his lawyer, Rémi Barousse, is hoping. Barousse has been lobbying for the transfer of his client to French soil.
Cameroon and Biya
President Paul Biya, who arrived in France Tuesday, July 21, for an official visit, will have to wait until Friday, July 24, before being received at the Elysée Palace by his counterpart, Nicolas Sarkozy.
Biya is expected to hold talks with President Sarkozy on Friday. Before being received at the Elysée Palace, Biya has, in the interim, visited Bordeaux and held talks with Alain Juppé, the Mayor of that city and a former Prime Minister. The Cameroon Head of State is scheduled to have a working dinner with Bernard Kouchner, the French Foreign Minister. President Biya is expected to spend four days in France.
Meanwhile, scores of Cameroonians resident in France have demonstrated against the visit of President Paul Biya to that country. The demonstrators were protesting close to the French National Assembly against the 'red carpet' reception granted to Mr Biya who is visiting France at the invitation of his French counterpart, Nicolas Sarkozy.
They brandished banners and placards reading: "Arrêtons le soutien aux dictateurs, soutenons les peuples africains, ensemble contre la Françafrique; Biya assassin, Sarko complice" (Let's stop supporting dictators, let's support African people, together against Francafrique; Biya assassin, Sarko accomplice). Since Bongo's death, Biya is generally viewed as the doyen of Francafrique, an outfit that brings together France and its Francophone erstwhile colonies.
Leaders of the demonstration argued that by welcoming Biya, the French authorities were endorsing a dictator and condoning impunity. They marched under the umbrella of Code, an amalgam of Cameroonian democratic and patriotic organizations of the Cameroon Diaspora.According to Guillaume Tene Sop, one of the leaders of Code, such French action symbolised the "insolent and arrogant support for a dictatorship which enriches itself on the backs of Cameroonians."
One of the former leaders of the French Socialist Party, Francois Hollande, was invited to join the demonstration. He is quoted as having said: "We should put some pressure so that President Sarkozy, while receiving Biya, should tell him that democracy is not reserved only for some countries but that it is universal." Apart from being the colonial master, France has vast business and commercial interests in Cameroon. It will be recalled that Francois Fillon, the French Prime Minister, was Biya's special guest during May 20 celebrations in Yaounde.
The demonstrators are requesting that Mr Sarkozy should get Mr Biya to create an international commission of enquiry to probe the February 2008 'hunger riots' during which many Cameroonians were massacred. The riots, it will be recalled, were sparked by hikes in the prices of basic commodities as well as moves to review the Constitution. Official sources put the death toll at 40 although independent organizations say as many as 139 people were killed.
Members of the Cameroon Diaspora are also calling on Sarkozy and his wife to pressurize Mr Biya to immediately release all political prisoners. Also, the demonstrators want Sarkozy to insist on Biya to set up an Independent Electoral Commission. They also want Biya to declare his assets and their origin. However, thousands of CPDM militants, including those who flew in from Cameroon and other European countries, trooped to the airport in their uniforms. There were dance groups and the militants carried banners calling on President Biya to continue "ruling Cameroon".
Biya is expected to hold talks with President Sarkozy on Friday. Before being received at the Elysée Palace, Biya has, in the interim, visited Bordeaux and held talks with Alain Juppé, the Mayor of that city and a former Prime Minister. The Cameroon Head of State is scheduled to have a working dinner with Bernard Kouchner, the French Foreign Minister. President Biya is expected to spend four days in France.
Meanwhile, scores of Cameroonians resident in France have demonstrated against the visit of President Paul Biya to that country. The demonstrators were protesting close to the French National Assembly against the 'red carpet' reception granted to Mr Biya who is visiting France at the invitation of his French counterpart, Nicolas Sarkozy.
They brandished banners and placards reading: "Arrêtons le soutien aux dictateurs, soutenons les peuples africains, ensemble contre la Françafrique; Biya assassin, Sarko complice" (Let's stop supporting dictators, let's support African people, together against Francafrique; Biya assassin, Sarko accomplice). Since Bongo's death, Biya is generally viewed as the doyen of Francafrique, an outfit that brings together France and its Francophone erstwhile colonies.
Leaders of the demonstration argued that by welcoming Biya, the French authorities were endorsing a dictator and condoning impunity. They marched under the umbrella of Code, an amalgam of Cameroonian democratic and patriotic organizations of the Cameroon Diaspora.According to Guillaume Tene Sop, one of the leaders of Code, such French action symbolised the "insolent and arrogant support for a dictatorship which enriches itself on the backs of Cameroonians."
One of the former leaders of the French Socialist Party, Francois Hollande, was invited to join the demonstration. He is quoted as having said: "We should put some pressure so that President Sarkozy, while receiving Biya, should tell him that democracy is not reserved only for some countries but that it is universal." Apart from being the colonial master, France has vast business and commercial interests in Cameroon. It will be recalled that Francois Fillon, the French Prime Minister, was Biya's special guest during May 20 celebrations in Yaounde.
The demonstrators are requesting that Mr Sarkozy should get Mr Biya to create an international commission of enquiry to probe the February 2008 'hunger riots' during which many Cameroonians were massacred. The riots, it will be recalled, were sparked by hikes in the prices of basic commodities as well as moves to review the Constitution. Official sources put the death toll at 40 although independent organizations say as many as 139 people were killed.
Members of the Cameroon Diaspora are also calling on Sarkozy and his wife to pressurize Mr Biya to immediately release all political prisoners. Also, the demonstrators want Sarkozy to insist on Biya to set up an Independent Electoral Commission. They also want Biya to declare his assets and their origin. However, thousands of CPDM militants, including those who flew in from Cameroon and other European countries, trooped to the airport in their uniforms. There were dance groups and the militants carried banners calling on President Biya to continue "ruling Cameroon".
Cameroon and HIV
An HIV/AIDS expert, Juliana Anchang, has stated that according to the World Health Organisation, WHO, epidemiological fact sheet of 2008, about 530.000 Cameroonians (5.5 percent) are living with HIV/AIDS. She made the revelation on July, 15, during a seminar dubbed, Institutional HIV/AIDS Policy Student Workshop, which took place at the Pan-African Institute for Development, PAID-WA, Buea.
PAID-WA students listen to lecture on HIV/AIDS
According to Anchang, 45.000 (7 percent) of those living with HIV/AIDS are children from 0-14 years; 500.000 (93 percent) are adults from 15-49 years. She also noted that the female youth have a higher prevalence rate of 4.3 percent as opposed to 1.2 percent of their male counterparts. According to the expert, female youth are extremely vulnerable because of their subordinate status, their inability to negotiate for either 'No Sex' or 'Safer Sexual' practises.
"In the year 2007, WHO reported that 39.000 Cameroonians died of HIV/AIDS," says Anchang.Another resource person, Dr. Pascal Atanga Nji, Coordinator of the Regional Technical Group for the Fight Against HIV/AIDS, RTG, said, according to WHO, an infected person dies after approximately nine years without any anti-retroviral, ARV, treatment. "Treatment with ARV significantly improves the state of health of sero-positive patients and increases their life span, although it is not a cure," Dr. Atanga said. He also said that the risk of infecting others by an HIV patient who is receiving appropriate treatment is very low.
To Dr. Atanga, an AIDS patient will be obviously improved when he/she starts ARV and might be tempted to believe that he/she is well. But, according to him, the patient should note that the treatment should be ongoing no matter the condition of his/her health at any particular time. On the importance of the workshop, Rosetta Thompson, PAID-WA Director, said the workshop was organised for PAID-WA students, staff and for other institutions. She said the idea was to validate HIV/AIDS institutional policies and sensitise the staff on how to prevent the deadly disease.
"As an organisation like PAID-WA, which is working for the community, it is very important that we have a kind of framework like this where we educate our staff and students on how to prevent HIV/AIDS as well as stemming stigmatisation of people living with the disease in our community," said Thompson.
Asked why they are focusing only on HIV/AIDS when there are other serious issues plaguing the youth, she said HIV/AIDS is a perennial problem. "We have been fighting against this disease since the 90s. Organising this seminar will help the students and staff to disseminate the information to the affected and infected persons," the Director said.
One of the participants, Besong Ndip, observed that the workshop greatly enriched him because, according to him, he realised that AIDS can be transmitted from an infected mother to a child during pregnancy and during delivery. The seminar was coordinated by Dr. Ekema Anjorine.
PAID-WA students listen to lecture on HIV/AIDS
According to Anchang, 45.000 (7 percent) of those living with HIV/AIDS are children from 0-14 years; 500.000 (93 percent) are adults from 15-49 years. She also noted that the female youth have a higher prevalence rate of 4.3 percent as opposed to 1.2 percent of their male counterparts. According to the expert, female youth are extremely vulnerable because of their subordinate status, their inability to negotiate for either 'No Sex' or 'Safer Sexual' practises.
"In the year 2007, WHO reported that 39.000 Cameroonians died of HIV/AIDS," says Anchang.Another resource person, Dr. Pascal Atanga Nji, Coordinator of the Regional Technical Group for the Fight Against HIV/AIDS, RTG, said, according to WHO, an infected person dies after approximately nine years without any anti-retroviral, ARV, treatment. "Treatment with ARV significantly improves the state of health of sero-positive patients and increases their life span, although it is not a cure," Dr. Atanga said. He also said that the risk of infecting others by an HIV patient who is receiving appropriate treatment is very low.
To Dr. Atanga, an AIDS patient will be obviously improved when he/she starts ARV and might be tempted to believe that he/she is well. But, according to him, the patient should note that the treatment should be ongoing no matter the condition of his/her health at any particular time. On the importance of the workshop, Rosetta Thompson, PAID-WA Director, said the workshop was organised for PAID-WA students, staff and for other institutions. She said the idea was to validate HIV/AIDS institutional policies and sensitise the staff on how to prevent the deadly disease.
"As an organisation like PAID-WA, which is working for the community, it is very important that we have a kind of framework like this where we educate our staff and students on how to prevent HIV/AIDS as well as stemming stigmatisation of people living with the disease in our community," said Thompson.
Asked why they are focusing only on HIV/AIDS when there are other serious issues plaguing the youth, she said HIV/AIDS is a perennial problem. "We have been fighting against this disease since the 90s. Organising this seminar will help the students and staff to disseminate the information to the affected and infected persons," the Director said.
One of the participants, Besong Ndip, observed that the workshop greatly enriched him because, according to him, he realised that AIDS can be transmitted from an infected mother to a child during pregnancy and during delivery. The seminar was coordinated by Dr. Ekema Anjorine.
Cameroon and it's parliament
Prof. Tazoacha Asonganyi has suggested an enactment of an Act of Parliament to check
parliamentary expenses scandals.He regretted that the absence of such legislation has made disclosures about shady deals in parliament impossible in Cameroon.Prof. Asonganyi who made this suggestion in an article in this Newspaper titled "Parliament In The News" said when such disclosures about expenditures in parliament becomes possible in Cameroon, the public would be shocked by the amount of money that changes hands in parliament to buy off MPs on various issues and more."There is great need for a Cameroon Freedom of Information Act to accompany the present lackluster fight against corruption", Asonganyi wrote below.
The June session of parliament came to a close some weeks ago. The closure coincided with the much news about what is today known as the UK parliamentary expenses scandal, even if it was drowned by the announcement of a "new" government in Cameroon. Judging by the stir the scandal caused in the UK, it is clear that lack of transparency in the financial management of such institutions invariably leads to the abuse of public money, preventing the institutions from adequately discharging their assigned duties.
The scandal led to "diminishing parliamentary and public confidence", and the resignation of the speaker of the UK House of Commons, especially because of his role in the expenses scandal.Cameroon's poor score of 5% on the 2008 Open Budget Index shows that the financial activities of public institutions in Cameroon are usually shrouded in secrecy that encourages corrupt practices.
The strong current of public opinion that discouraged what was then known as the "radical opposition" from taking up its seats in parliament following the 1997 parliamentary elections in Cameroon, was based on the fear that the secrecy in financial management in the Cameroon National Assembly would be used as a cover to silence MPs of all political leanings, especially those of the opposition. The state of the opposition today, especially of the parliamentary opposition seems to have vindicated this fear of the public.
Shady DealsThere is no doubt that lack of transparency in financial management has serious consequences on the ability of parliament to exert its full weight in the governance checks and balances equation. This is confirmed by an opposition MP who once complained that although he submitted 31 amendments prior to the adoption of the now moribund decentralisation laws, they were all voted down in the Constitutional Laws Committee (to which he belonged), and not discussed in plenary because the Speaker stated that he had "agreed with my Parliamentary Group Leader" to limit debate on the bills in plenary...
The MP left no doubt that there had been shady deals!Indeed, shady deals abound in the Cameroon National Assembly. Unfortunately, in Cameroon, we do not have a Freedom of Information Act, which in the UK, allows members of the public to request disclosure of information from public institutions; and which was the basis on which the public was able to get information on MPs' expenses claims.
We have always said that when such disclosures about expenditures in parliament become possible in Cameroon, the public would be shocked by the much money that changes hands in parliament to buy off MPs on various issues, and more. There is great need for a Cameroon Freedom of Information Act, to accompany the present lackluster fight against corruption.
Issue Of By-ElectionsAnother issue that was in the air when parliament was in session was related to by-elections to fill vacant positions in parliament. With the advent of Barack Obama, Ghana seems to have become Africa's measuring rod. The Ghanaian constitution of 1992 has this to say about by-elections: "...Whenever a vacancy occurs in parliament, the clerk of parliament shall notify the Electoral Commission in writing within seven days after becoming aware that the vacancy has occurred; and a by-election shall be held within thirty days after the vacancy occurred except that where the vacancy occurred through the death of a member, the by-election shall be held within sixty days after the occurrence of the vacancy..." This is time-bound and practicable. So what does our own 1996 constitution say about the matter? Nothing! And the electoral Law?
The electoral law states that: "...Where one or more seats become vacant either because of death, resignation of the substantive..., by-elections shall be held within a period of twelve months following the occurrence of the vacancy...in the manner specified here..." Everybody knows that "in the manner specified here" means the list system!
This is why we hear often from MPs of the New Deal that "we have a list system, so we cannot conduct a by-election for one person in a list"! Was this not known before the legal provision was written and adopted? Of course, it was known; but since a defining characteristic of the New Deal is the sabotage of the rule of law using sophistry to render some laws, rules and regulations inapplicable, the law was written and adopted this way to leave the field wide-open for the whims and caprices of one man to triumph! Indeed, the New Deal is involved in a game of self-deceit, to kill time so that the Prince can rule for life...
Parliamentary ImmunityAnother parliamentary issue that has been in the news is the lifting of the immunities of certain MPs. It is well known in Cameroon that parliament is usually a hide-out for crooks because of the parliamentary immunity MPs enjoy.
Last week, there was much noise about parliament's blocking of the lifting of the immunities of some MPs to allow for the due process of the law to take its course. And the shouting headlines in Newspapers included one that the opposition "botched" the lifting of the immunities. At first sight, one would applaud "the opposition" for the lame effort to show that parliament is not under the beck and call of the executive, especially as the reality is that the Cameroon parliament is a typical example of a rubber-stamp-parliament that exists just because Cameroon is said to be a Republic.
Yet, looked at more closely, the act of the opposition is nothing short of unprincipled politics that led them to be carried away by the illusion that two wrongs can make a right. Indeed, the argument that government ministers are usually arrested only after they leave government is frivolous; so too is the one that other investigations usually take longer!
If the opposition wants to show that they want parliament to be independent of the executive in fact, they should do so more honourably. What they have done all looks like a botched lobbying assignment! The signal they have sent to a people that is restless about corruption does not speak well of the leading party of the opposition!
Parliament in a republican government is supposed to be the eyes, ears and voice of the people. Since elections that select MPs are usually marred by many types of electoral fraud, parliament ends up being just a regulator of the affairs of those who fraud themselves to power, to the detriment of the people who remain just pawns in a political "power" game.
As the French usually say, "there is nothing more permanent than the temporary". What is going on now in parliament may look permanent, but by all measure, it is a temporary transition to a period when MPs will actually carry the proxies of the people, and listen to what they are saying.
parliamentary expenses scandals.He regretted that the absence of such legislation has made disclosures about shady deals in parliament impossible in Cameroon.Prof. Asonganyi who made this suggestion in an article in this Newspaper titled "Parliament In The News" said when such disclosures about expenditures in parliament becomes possible in Cameroon, the public would be shocked by the amount of money that changes hands in parliament to buy off MPs on various issues and more."There is great need for a Cameroon Freedom of Information Act to accompany the present lackluster fight against corruption", Asonganyi wrote below.
The June session of parliament came to a close some weeks ago. The closure coincided with the much news about what is today known as the UK parliamentary expenses scandal, even if it was drowned by the announcement of a "new" government in Cameroon. Judging by the stir the scandal caused in the UK, it is clear that lack of transparency in the financial management of such institutions invariably leads to the abuse of public money, preventing the institutions from adequately discharging their assigned duties.
The scandal led to "diminishing parliamentary and public confidence", and the resignation of the speaker of the UK House of Commons, especially because of his role in the expenses scandal.Cameroon's poor score of 5% on the 2008 Open Budget Index shows that the financial activities of public institutions in Cameroon are usually shrouded in secrecy that encourages corrupt practices.
The strong current of public opinion that discouraged what was then known as the "radical opposition" from taking up its seats in parliament following the 1997 parliamentary elections in Cameroon, was based on the fear that the secrecy in financial management in the Cameroon National Assembly would be used as a cover to silence MPs of all political leanings, especially those of the opposition. The state of the opposition today, especially of the parliamentary opposition seems to have vindicated this fear of the public.
Shady DealsThere is no doubt that lack of transparency in financial management has serious consequences on the ability of parliament to exert its full weight in the governance checks and balances equation. This is confirmed by an opposition MP who once complained that although he submitted 31 amendments prior to the adoption of the now moribund decentralisation laws, they were all voted down in the Constitutional Laws Committee (to which he belonged), and not discussed in plenary because the Speaker stated that he had "agreed with my Parliamentary Group Leader" to limit debate on the bills in plenary...
The MP left no doubt that there had been shady deals!Indeed, shady deals abound in the Cameroon National Assembly. Unfortunately, in Cameroon, we do not have a Freedom of Information Act, which in the UK, allows members of the public to request disclosure of information from public institutions; and which was the basis on which the public was able to get information on MPs' expenses claims.
We have always said that when such disclosures about expenditures in parliament become possible in Cameroon, the public would be shocked by the much money that changes hands in parliament to buy off MPs on various issues, and more. There is great need for a Cameroon Freedom of Information Act, to accompany the present lackluster fight against corruption.
Issue Of By-ElectionsAnother issue that was in the air when parliament was in session was related to by-elections to fill vacant positions in parliament. With the advent of Barack Obama, Ghana seems to have become Africa's measuring rod. The Ghanaian constitution of 1992 has this to say about by-elections: "...Whenever a vacancy occurs in parliament, the clerk of parliament shall notify the Electoral Commission in writing within seven days after becoming aware that the vacancy has occurred; and a by-election shall be held within thirty days after the vacancy occurred except that where the vacancy occurred through the death of a member, the by-election shall be held within sixty days after the occurrence of the vacancy..." This is time-bound and practicable. So what does our own 1996 constitution say about the matter? Nothing! And the electoral Law?
The electoral law states that: "...Where one or more seats become vacant either because of death, resignation of the substantive..., by-elections shall be held within a period of twelve months following the occurrence of the vacancy...in the manner specified here..." Everybody knows that "in the manner specified here" means the list system!
This is why we hear often from MPs of the New Deal that "we have a list system, so we cannot conduct a by-election for one person in a list"! Was this not known before the legal provision was written and adopted? Of course, it was known; but since a defining characteristic of the New Deal is the sabotage of the rule of law using sophistry to render some laws, rules and regulations inapplicable, the law was written and adopted this way to leave the field wide-open for the whims and caprices of one man to triumph! Indeed, the New Deal is involved in a game of self-deceit, to kill time so that the Prince can rule for life...
Parliamentary ImmunityAnother parliamentary issue that has been in the news is the lifting of the immunities of certain MPs. It is well known in Cameroon that parliament is usually a hide-out for crooks because of the parliamentary immunity MPs enjoy.
Last week, there was much noise about parliament's blocking of the lifting of the immunities of some MPs to allow for the due process of the law to take its course. And the shouting headlines in Newspapers included one that the opposition "botched" the lifting of the immunities. At first sight, one would applaud "the opposition" for the lame effort to show that parliament is not under the beck and call of the executive, especially as the reality is that the Cameroon parliament is a typical example of a rubber-stamp-parliament that exists just because Cameroon is said to be a Republic.
Yet, looked at more closely, the act of the opposition is nothing short of unprincipled politics that led them to be carried away by the illusion that two wrongs can make a right. Indeed, the argument that government ministers are usually arrested only after they leave government is frivolous; so too is the one that other investigations usually take longer!
If the opposition wants to show that they want parliament to be independent of the executive in fact, they should do so more honourably. What they have done all looks like a botched lobbying assignment! The signal they have sent to a people that is restless about corruption does not speak well of the leading party of the opposition!
Parliament in a republican government is supposed to be the eyes, ears and voice of the people. Since elections that select MPs are usually marred by many types of electoral fraud, parliament ends up being just a regulator of the affairs of those who fraud themselves to power, to the detriment of the people who remain just pawns in a political "power" game.
As the French usually say, "there is nothing more permanent than the temporary". What is going on now in parliament may look permanent, but by all measure, it is a temporary transition to a period when MPs will actually carry the proxies of the people, and listen to what they are saying.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
jove
President Paul Biya has been ranked one of the four worst dictators in sub-Saharan Africa and one of the world's worst 20, by an author and commentator for the United States TV network
The ranking appears in David Wallechnisky's new book; Tyrants, The World's 20 Worst Living Dictators (Regan Press) launched Friday, November 17. Wallechinsky, a historian, has worked as a commentator for the American television network, the NBC, and is author of several reference books.
The story, carried on cameroononline.org has been floated around the world.According to the story, since 2003, Wallechnisky has been writing an annual article for Parade Magazine, ranking the 10 worst dictators currently in power. He has now expanded the list and written a book on the subject.
Biya is ranked with only two others in sub-Saharan Africa: Robert Mugabe and King Mswati III of Swaziland.The author comments: "Every few years, Biya stages an election to justify his continuing reign, but these elections have no credibility. In fact, Biya is credited with a creative innovation in the world of phoney elections."
Wallechnisky writes about Cameroon's electoral process: "In 2004, annoyed by the criticisms of international vote-monitoring groups, he (Biya) paid for his own set of international observers, six ex-US congressmen, who certified his election as free and fair."
Biya Regime's Traditional Reaction
The tradition of the Biya regime has been to react bitterly whenever it has been rated at the bottom of the virtues of governance and transparency. When Transparency International, TI, ranked the government two years successively as topping the chart in corruption, government ministers were very vocal on missions, castigating the international NGO as lacking the knowledge and authority to carry on its Corruption Perception Index.
They argued that Cameroon could not come before Nigeria in corruption. A lot of effort was employed in this direction, instead of going the whole hog to fight corruption, eradicate bad governance and improve on its human rights records, issues that always earn the government a poor ranking.
Meantime, Nigeria engaged a fierce fight against corruption. Since then, ministers and governors in Nigeria have either been forced to resign or have been sacked.
But when the same TI ranked Cameroon sixth after Nigeria, every government official was impressed and while making a speech anywhere, slipped in the ranking and proudly pronounced TI to impress well-wishers.
President Biya, thereafter, started a fight against embezzlement and corruption but abandoned it as very few of generally known corrupt officials have been brought to book. The rest of lot are working freely and living comfortably.
The tyranny and dictatorship ranking comes in the wake of another publication ranking Cameroon among the five worst countries in the world in terms of governance. The others in this rank are: Iraq, Chad, Somalia, Zimbabwe and Romania.
The information is contained in a Governance Perception Index, a survey carried out at Harvard University led by Professor Robert Rotberg, of Kennedy School of Government, and President of World Peace Foundation. Government apologists have swung into action condemning the ranking and questioning the authenticity of the Harvard Professor's findings.
It should be noted that Harvard is one of the world's best universities.
No Guarantee For Fair 2007 Elections
Sarli Sardou Nana, a Cameroonian pro-democracy campaigner holds that: "As Cameroon prepares for local elections in 2007, it is worth pointing out that until the government allows for free and fair elections, the country will never get out of poverty."
Nana states: "Free and fair elections can only come about through an independent electoral management process in accordance with the Durban Declaration."
He cautions that: "The government has to realise that Cameroon's present image of a badly governed state means it will always be difficult to attract appropriate and substantial external investment to create jobs and eradicate poverty".
But the government of Cameroon, in spite of undertakings signed with international organisations like the Commonwealth and others, on the score of pro-democracy and transparency, is reluctant to create an independent electoral commission as demanded by the people ahead of next year's local elections.
Born in 1933, Biya has been in power since November 1982, following the resignation of his predecessor, Ahmadou Ahidjo.Since 1992, during the first multiparty elections, when Biya is generally believed to have lost to SDF Chairman John Fru Ndi, elections have been hugely frauded.
The ranking appears in David Wallechnisky's new book; Tyrants, The World's 20 Worst Living Dictators (Regan Press) launched Friday, November 17. Wallechinsky, a historian, has worked as a commentator for the American television network, the NBC, and is author of several reference books.
The story, carried on cameroononline.org has been floated around the world.According to the story, since 2003, Wallechnisky has been writing an annual article for Parade Magazine, ranking the 10 worst dictators currently in power. He has now expanded the list and written a book on the subject.
Biya is ranked with only two others in sub-Saharan Africa: Robert Mugabe and King Mswati III of Swaziland.The author comments: "Every few years, Biya stages an election to justify his continuing reign, but these elections have no credibility. In fact, Biya is credited with a creative innovation in the world of phoney elections."
Wallechnisky writes about Cameroon's electoral process: "In 2004, annoyed by the criticisms of international vote-monitoring groups, he (Biya) paid for his own set of international observers, six ex-US congressmen, who certified his election as free and fair."
Biya Regime's Traditional Reaction
The tradition of the Biya regime has been to react bitterly whenever it has been rated at the bottom of the virtues of governance and transparency. When Transparency International, TI, ranked the government two years successively as topping the chart in corruption, government ministers were very vocal on missions, castigating the international NGO as lacking the knowledge and authority to carry on its Corruption Perception Index.
They argued that Cameroon could not come before Nigeria in corruption. A lot of effort was employed in this direction, instead of going the whole hog to fight corruption, eradicate bad governance and improve on its human rights records, issues that always earn the government a poor ranking.
Meantime, Nigeria engaged a fierce fight against corruption. Since then, ministers and governors in Nigeria have either been forced to resign or have been sacked.
But when the same TI ranked Cameroon sixth after Nigeria, every government official was impressed and while making a speech anywhere, slipped in the ranking and proudly pronounced TI to impress well-wishers.
President Biya, thereafter, started a fight against embezzlement and corruption but abandoned it as very few of generally known corrupt officials have been brought to book. The rest of lot are working freely and living comfortably.
The tyranny and dictatorship ranking comes in the wake of another publication ranking Cameroon among the five worst countries in the world in terms of governance. The others in this rank are: Iraq, Chad, Somalia, Zimbabwe and Romania.
The information is contained in a Governance Perception Index, a survey carried out at Harvard University led by Professor Robert Rotberg, of Kennedy School of Government, and President of World Peace Foundation. Government apologists have swung into action condemning the ranking and questioning the authenticity of the Harvard Professor's findings.
It should be noted that Harvard is one of the world's best universities.
No Guarantee For Fair 2007 Elections
Sarli Sardou Nana, a Cameroonian pro-democracy campaigner holds that: "As Cameroon prepares for local elections in 2007, it is worth pointing out that until the government allows for free and fair elections, the country will never get out of poverty."
Nana states: "Free and fair elections can only come about through an independent electoral management process in accordance with the Durban Declaration."
He cautions that: "The government has to realise that Cameroon's present image of a badly governed state means it will always be difficult to attract appropriate and substantial external investment to create jobs and eradicate poverty".
But the government of Cameroon, in spite of undertakings signed with international organisations like the Commonwealth and others, on the score of pro-democracy and transparency, is reluctant to create an independent electoral commission as demanded by the people ahead of next year's local elections.
Born in 1933, Biya has been in power since November 1982, following the resignation of his predecessor, Ahmadou Ahidjo.Since 1992, during the first multiparty elections, when Biya is generally believed to have lost to SDF Chairman John Fru Ndi, elections have been hugely frauded.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
post your voices and let it be heard to the world.
CAMEROON WITH ITS VAST NATURAL RESOURSE IS ONE OF THE WORSE COUNTRY IN THE WORLD IN TERM OF DELEVEPMENT AND PROGRESS.DICTATORSHIP HAVE REIGN THE COUNTRY. THE PHENOMENO '' CHOP A CHOP'' IS VERY COMMON AMONGST THE GORVENMENT OFFICIAL. ALL THEIR HOPE AND DREAM AS THEY TAKE OFFICE IS TO HAVE A MANSION IN EUROPEAN OR USA LIKE THEIR BOSS, MR BIYA. I WILL PRAY THAT ANY LOAN OR ASSISTANCE FROM THE IMF SHOULD BE ACCOUNTED FOR TILL THE LAST FRANC SPEND AND LET THE SPENDING BE VISIBLE TO THE PEOPLE. I KNOW MANY OF OUR PEOPLE ARE IGNORANCE ABOUT MANY THING BUT I ALSO WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT ITS THEIR RIGHT TO FIGHT FOR THEIR FREEDOM. CAMEROONIAN ARE NOT FREE AND THE CAMEROON'S MEDIA IS NOT DOING ANYTHING TO EDUCATED THE MASSES. I WANT TO USE THIS OPPOTUNITY TELL CAMEROONIAN FRON NORTH TO SOUTH AND FROM EAST TO WEST TO WAKE UP. ITS TIME FOR US TO QUESTION THE GORVEMENT ON WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN DOING. WE DON'T HAVE SCHOOLS, ROAD,WATER TO DRINK ,FOOD TO EAT. CAMEROON IS PLAQUE WITH MANY KINDS OF COMMON DISEASE, KILLING PEOPLE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND THE GORVENMENT IS DOING NOTHING. ITS A VERY NORMAL HABIT TO SEE TAX COLLECTOR FIGHT WITH TAX PAYER FOR A BRIDE OF 500FCFA. OR POLICE SEIZING THE LICENCE AND BOOKS OF A TAXI DRIVER FOR 500FCFA. POLICE IN CAMEROON DON'T KNOW THEIR DUTY.ALCOHOL WILL NOT BUILD OUR COUNTRY. ALL THOSE ILLITRATE POLITICIAN WANTING BIYA TO BE LIFE PRESIDENT BECAREFULL. CAMEROONIAN I WATCHING YOU.
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