DOCSLIB.ORG

The Stammerings of Cameroon's Communications Surveillance

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Stammerings of Cameroon's Communications Surveillance Global InformatIon SocIety Watch 2014 Communications surveillance in the digital age This report was originally published as part of a larger compilation, which can be downloaded from GISWatch.org AssociAtion for Progressive communicAtions (APc) And HumAnist institute for cooPerAtion witH develoPing countries (Hivos) ISBN: 978-92-95102-16-3 APC-201408-CIPP-R-EN-DIGITAL-207 Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Licence <creativecommons.org/licenses/by nc nd/3.0> cameroon The stammerings of Cameroon's communications surveillance PROTEGE QV commitment to the freedom of communication and Sylvie Siyam and Serge Daho expression. www.protegeqv.org Many laws and decrees dealing with freedom of communication and expression and with tele- communications and communications exist in Introduction Cameroon, some of which impact on surveillance: The Republic of Cameroon is a country in the west • Law N° 98/014 of 14 July 1998, which regulates central Africa region. It is bordered by Nigeria, Chad, telecommunications. the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Ga- bon and the Republic of Congo. • Law N° 2004/016 of 22 July 2004 creating the In this country of nearly 21,700,000 people,1 National Commission on Human Rights and of which 1,006,494 are internet users2 (represent- Freedoms. The commission is an independent ing roughly 5% of the population), according to the institution set up to promote and protect human International Telecommunication Union (ITU), it is rights in the country. Though important, none of a real challenge to identify the presence of com- its statutory provisions hint at the surveillance munications monitoring by the state. Nonetheless, of communication. we know that under the guise of national secu- • Law N° 2010/021 of 21 December 2010 govern- rity and intelligence gathering, citizens’ computers ing electronic commerce. and internet communications are spied on by the • Law N° 2010/013 of 21 December 2010 govern- government. ing electronic communications in Cameroon. This was demonstrated when MTN’s Twitter ser- • Law N° 2010/012 of 21 December 2010 on cyber vice in Cameroon was shut down on 8 March 2011. security and cyber crime. The latter “governs the Wary about the role played by Twitter and other so- security framework of electronic communica- cial networks in sparking an Egypt or Tunisia-style tion networks and information systems, defines uprising, the government blocked MTN’s Twitter and punishes offences related to the use of in- service3 for security reasons during what were later formation and communication technologies in called “hunger riots” in our country. Cameroon.” While this law was hailed by some Policy and political background as a much-needed step in the right direction to curb Cameroon’s nascent or burgeoning cy- Since independence, Cameroon’s successive consti- ber crimes industry, others have criticised it for tutions have proclaimed its people’s commitment to being light on internet security and heavy on human rights as set out in the United Nations Uni- sanctions, particularly with regard to sanction- versal Declaration of Human Rights and the African ing online expression. Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Our country is also party to major international and regional hu- • Decree N° 2002/092/PR of 8 April 2002 creat- man rights conventions, including the International ing the National Agency for Information and Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Communications Technologies (ANTIC). The At the national level, the preamble to the ANTIC was created to facilitate and accelerate constitution declares the Cameroonian people’s the uptake of ICTs in Cameroon so that they can contribute to the development of the country. • Decree N° 2012/180/PR of 10 April 2012 assign- 1 countryeconomy.com/demography/population/cameroon ing new missions to the ANTIC, including the 2 www.internetworldstasts.com. According to the World Bank, regulation of electronic security activities and internet users are people with access to the worldwide network. the regulation of the internet in Cameroon. With This may include users who access the internet at least several times a week and those who access it only once within a period of this decree, the ANTIC became the key actor in several months. terms of restrictions imposed by the govern- 3 MTN is a mobile telephone company that in March 2011 was the ment on the free flow of online information. sole Twitter service provider in Cameroon. cameroon / 89 • Decree N° 2013/0399/PM of 27 February 2013 slanderous, or representing a danger for the state. establishing the modalities of protection for Though it is still unclear which technologies are electronic communications consumers. This used to monitor telecoms activity in Cameroon,6 the decree clearly states that when it comes to elec- interview shed light on the process that led to the tronic services, the consumer is entitled to have shutting down of MTN’s Twitter service in Cameroon his or her protection kept private. from the 8 to the 18 March 2011 during peaceful protests. Prior to that, on 22 February 2011, Cam- “Weeding them out”: eroonian government spokesperson Issa Tchiroma Evidence of surveillance in Cameroon Bakary summoned journalists to his office for a me- There are few credible reports that the government dia briefing in which he issued a warning directed monitors email or other internet- related activities at Cameroonians in the diaspora using social me- in Cameroon. However, as certainly as everywhere dia tools such as Facebook and Twitter to call for throughout the world, Cameroon’s administration a march to end the 29-year rule of President Paul does spy on citizens’ emails to checkmate the activi- Biya. The protest was to coincide with an opposi- ties of unscrupulous people capable of threatening its tion-led march in Douala to honour demonstrators internal security. In 2009, the government launched a killed by security forces during February 2008 anti- campaign aimed at capturing the personal informa- government protests. tion of mobile phone holders, allegedly “to ban the A coalition of organisations led by Privacy In- unfair use of the mobile phone [in a way that can prej- ternational, Access and the Electronic Frontier udice] law and public order and … citizens’ safety.” Foundation has outlined a set of 13 International The government’s monopoly over all mobile Principles on the Application of Human Rights and internet infrastructures through its sole, state- to Communications Surveillance.7 These include owned telecom operator, CAMTEL (Cameroon proportionality, competent judicial authority, due Telecommunications), facilitates communications process and user notification. Did the blocking of surveillance. During an interview given to the online MTN’s Twitter8 service meet these requirements? media outfit Cameroon-Info.Net,4 Woungly Mas- At the time Twitter was blocked, only around 50 saga, a Cameroonian dissident, stated his phones people9 were affected by the suspension of MTN’s have always been tapped. service – so was it worth blocking it? This raises the On 19 March 2014, the general manager of the proportionality principle: was there a high degree ANTIC gave an interview to the government’s daily of probability that a serious crime was about to be newspaper Cameroon Tribune during which he fur- committed by MTN’s Twitter users? ther provided details on how social networks and The principles state: “Determinations related websites are watched in Cameroon. To deal with ill- to communications surveillance must be made by intentioned persons and the terrorist groups who a competent judicial authority that is impartial and use social networks to recruit followers and spread independent.” Cameroon of course lacks a judicial propaganda, he said, “The ANTIC uses state-of- mechanism to protect people from unlawful govern- the-art tools or cutting-edge tools to permanently ment surveillance. As a consequence, no judicial watch social networks. This consists of browsing warrant was obtained to shut down MTN’s service. the various profiles on the social networks to detect Another of the 13 Principles that was ignored by illicit content representing a potential threat for the the government is the “due process” principle that national security and the image of Cameroon, and requires states to respect and guarantee individu- to weed them out.”5 als’ human rights by ensuring that lawful procedures When it comes to websites, the ANTIC uses a surrounding communications surveillance are prop- technical platform that scans web content using erly recorded and available to the general public. keywords to detect those inciting hatred, being Cameroonian Minister of Communications and 4 Ngangué, Y. (2014, May 19). Interview de Woungly Massaga, 6 It is worth pointing out that the Chinese telecom giants ZTE and Homme politique et nationaliste Camerounais: “Le Cameroun est Huawei, major players in the African and global telecom industry, une véritable bombe à retardement”. Cameroon-Info.Net. www. are CAMTEL’s telecom equipment suppliers in Cameroon. cameroon-info.net/stories/0,61441,@,cameroun-20-mai-2014- 7 https://en.necessaryandproportionate.org/text interview-de-woungly-massaga-homme-politique-et-nationalist. 8 The Twitter via SMS service offered by MTN Cameroon, one of three html telecommunications operators in the country, allowed anyone with 5 Cameroon Tribune. (2014, March 29). [Interview] Cameroun: Dr a regular phone to punch in a code and start receiving tweets for Ebot Ebot Enow Directeur Général de l’Agence Nationale des TIC. free. Afro Concept News. www.afroconceptnews.com/2014/03/29/ 9 The deal between MTN Cameroon and Twitter was concluded interview-cameroun-dr-ebot-ebot-enow-directeur-general-de- on December 2010 when the smartphone adoption and internet lagence-nationale-des-tic penetration rates were relatively low in Cameroon. 90 / Global Information Society Watch government spokesman Issa Tchiroma told Agence Conclusion France Presse that “it was the government’s job Nearly every country in the world recognises the to protect the nation,” and that the Twitter service right to privacy explicitly in its constitution.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • “These Killings Can Be Stopped” RIGHTS Government and Separatist Groups Abuses in Cameroon’S WATCH Anglophone Regions
    HUMAN “These Killings Can Be Stopped” RIGHTS Government and Separatist Groups Abuses in Cameroon’s WATCH Anglophone Regions “These Killings Can Be Stopped” Abuses by Government and Separatist Groups in Cameroon’s Anglophone Regions Copyright © 2018 Human Rights Watch All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America ISBN: 978-1-6231-36352 Cover design by Rafael Jimenez Human Rights Watch defends the rights of people worldwide. We scrupulously investigate abuses, expose the facts widely, and pressure those with power to respect rights and secure justice. Human Rights Watch is an independent, international organization that works as part of a vibrant movement to uphold human dignity and advance the cause of human rights for all. Human Rights Watch is an international organization with staff in more than 40 countries, and offices in Amsterdam, Beirut, Berlin, Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Goma, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, Nairobi, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, Tunis, Washington DC, and Zurich. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.hrw.org JULY 2018 ISBN: 978-1-6231-36352 “These Killings Can Be Stopped” Abuses by Government and Separatist Groups in Cameroon’s Anglophone Regions Map .................................................................................................................................... i Summary ........................................................................................................................... 1 Recommendations .............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Africa Update Leading the News
    ML Strategies Update David Leiter, [email protected] Georgette Spanjich, [email protected] Katherine Fox, [email protected] ML Strategies, LLC Sarah Mamula, [email protected] 701 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20004 USA 202 296 3622 202 434 7400 fax FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @MLStrategies www.mlstrategies.com JANUARY 15, 2015 Africa Update Leading the News West Africa Ebola Outbreak On January 8th, the United Nations (U.N.) World Health Organization (WHO) announced the most advanced Ebola vaccine candidate will enter Phase III clinical trials in West Africa in January and February 2015. If proven effective, the vaccine will be available for deployment just a few months later. Details on the announcement can be read here. On January 8th, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) provided an update on Operation United Assistance, which has cost $385 million to date. The Pentagon announced that 450 U.S. military personnel are in the process of returning from deployments to West Africa to contain the Ebola virus. U.S. service members returning from Ebola-affected countries in Africa are currently in quarantine at the Army base in Baumholder, Germany, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, Joint Base Langley- Eustis, Virginia, and at Fort Hood and Fort Bliss in Texas. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) General Martin Dempsey will brief Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel later this month on recommendations related to the continuation of the quarantine policy. More information can be found here. On January 8th, the Department of State announced the U.S. Government has contributed $1 million to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for a new project that will improve and streamline efforts to diagnose the Ebola virus in Africa.
    [Show full text]
  • Introductory Statement
    REPUBLIQUE DU CAMEROUN REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON Paix –Travail – Patrie Peace – Work – Fatherland ---------- ----------- PRESS CONFERENCE INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT BY Mr. LAURENT ESSO MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTER OF JUSTICE, KEEPER OF THE SEALS ON CLAIMS BY ANGLOPHONE LAWYERS YAOUNDE, 30 MARCH 2017 Good afternoon, Dear Journalists, Friends of mine. Before beginning our discussion, let me introduce the personalities who are accompanying the Minister of Justice. - Pr Jacques FAME NDONGO, Minister of Higher Education whom you know very well; - Mr Michel Ange ANGOUING, Minister of Public Service and Administrative Reform; - Mr. Michel Ange ANGOUING is a Super scale Legal Officer; - Mr Alamine Ousmane MEY, Minister of Finance; - Mr Jean Pierre FOGUI, Minister Delegate to the Minister of Justice, Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee in charge of examining and proposing solutions to the concerns relating to the functioning of the judiciary; - Mr George GWANMESIA, Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice, Member of the Ad Hoc Committee; - Madam Florence ARREY, Director of Judicial Professions in the Ministry of Justice; And of course your all time Friend - Mr Issa TCHIROMA BAKARY, Minister of Communication; Our discussion will focus on measures that the President of the Republic has instructed the Government to take in order to provide answers to the claims presented by some Lawyers regarding the functioning of the Judiciary. I would like to present my communication to you in French, the English version is available. At the end of the presentations, we will take 3 or 4 questions for those who would like to complete the information that we have provided you with. Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Journalists, Friends of mine, In October 2016, some Anglophone lawyers took to the streets of the jurisdictions of the Courts of Appeal of the North West and South West Regions.
    [Show full text]
  • REVUE QUOTIDIENNE DE LA PRESSE Édition Du 25/02/16
    REPUBLIQUE DU CAMEROUN REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON Paix – Travail – Patrie Peace – Work – Fatherland ********** ********** MINISTERE DU TRAVAIL MINISTRY OF LABOUR ET DE LA SECURITE SOCIALE AND SOCIAL SECURITY ********** ********** SECRETARIAT GENERAL SECRETARIAT GENERAL ********** ********** CELLULE DE LA COMMUNICATION COMMUNICATION UNIT ********** ********* N°_____________/MINTSS/SG/CC/CEA1/CEA2 Yaoundé, le_____________ REVUE QUOTIDIENNE DE LA PRESSE Édition du 25/02/16 « Bonjour Augustes Lecteurs ! » QUELQUES UNES DES JOURNAUX PARUS CE MATIN APPELS A LA CANDIDATURE DE PAUL BIYA : L’UNDP, le MDR, l’ANDP et le FSNC DANS L’EMBARRAS (L’œil du Sahel). CHEFS TRADITIONNELS, SYNDICALISTES, DIPLÔMES DE L’ENAM…LES APPELS INSOLITES (Le Jour). RDPC : ILS ONT TENU TÊTE A PAUL BIYA (Mutations). ASSEMBLEE GENERALE DES AVOCATS : LE DOSSIER BRÛLANT DES ANGLOPHONES (La Nouvelle Expression). PORT AUTONOME DE DOUALA : LA LISTE DES 10 HAUTS CADRES CONVOQUÉS AU CONSUPE (Quotidien Emergence). OPERATION EPERVIER : GERVAIS MENDO ZE RECLAME 23 MILLIONS A LA CRTV (Le Quotidien de l’Economie). OPERATION EPERVIER : NKOTTO EMANE AVALE 9 MILLIARDS EN 5 ANS (La Météo). FERMETURE DE L’AEROPORT DE DOUALA : NSIMALEN PREND LE RELAIS (Cameroon Tribune). IBRAHIM MBOMBO NJOYA : LE MONARQUE QUI DEFIE LE PRINCE (Le Messager). COMMERCE INTRA-REGIONAL : L’AFRIQUE CENTRALE AU BAS DE L’ECHELLE (Le Quotidien de L’Economie). CACAO : TELCAR COCOA ET OLAM DOMINENT LES EXPORTATIONS (La Voix du Paysan). ELECTION A LA PRESIDENCE DE LA FIFA : TOMBI A ROKO SIDIKI ELECTEUR (Le Messager). DEVELOPPEMENT DE QUELQUES TITRES : POLITIQUE : APPELS À LA CANDIDATURE DE PAUL BIYA : L’UNDP, LE MDR, L’ANDP ET LE FSNC DANS L’EMBARRAS L’ŒIL DU SAHEL : Depuis quelques semaines, des motions et autres déclarations invitant le chef de l’Etat, par ailleurs président national du Rassemblement démocratique du peuple camerounais (RDPC), à se présenter lors du prochain scrutin présidentiel fusent de toutes parts à travers la République.
    [Show full text]
  • “These Killings Can Be Stopped” RIGHTS Government and Separatist Groups Abuses in Cameroon’S WATCH Anglophone Regions
    HUMAN “These Killings Can Be Stopped” RIGHTS Government and Separatist Groups Abuses in Cameroon’s WATCH Anglophone Regions “These Killings Can Be Stopped” Abuses by Government and Separatist Groups in Cameroon’s Anglophone Regions Copyright © 2018 Human Rights Watch All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America ISBN: 978-1-6231-36352 Cover design by Rafael Jimenez Human Rights Watch defends the rights of people worldwide. We scrupulously investigate abuses, expose the facts widely, and pressure those with power to respect rights and secure justice. Human Rights Watch is an independent, international organization that works as part of a vibrant movement to uphold human dignity and advance the cause of human rights for all. Human Rights Watch is an international organization with staff in more than 40 countries, and offices in Amsterdam, Beirut, Berlin, Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Goma, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, Nairobi, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, Tunis, Washington DC, and Zurich. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.hrw.org JULY 2018 ISBN: 978-1-6231-36352 “These Killings Can Be Stopped” Abuses by Government and Separatist Groups in Cameroon’s Anglophone Regions Map .................................................................................................................................... i Summary ........................................................................................................................... 1 Recommendations .............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • How the Cameroon Anglophone Crisis Extends Colonial Forces of Domination and Consent
    Dickinson College Dickinson Scholar Student Honors Theses By Year Student Honors Theses 5-19-2019 The Genocide that Everyone Should Have Seen Coming: How the Cameroon Anglophone Crisis Extends Colonial Forces of Domination and Consent Selena Gould Dickinson College Follow this and additional works at: https://scholar.dickinson.edu/student_honors Part of the African Languages and Societies Commons, and the Sociology Commons Recommended Citation Gould, Selena, "The Genocide that Everyone Should Have Seen Coming: How the Cameroon Anglophone Crisis Extends Colonial Forces of Domination and Consent" (2019). Dickinson College Honors Theses. Paper 328. This Honors Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by Dickinson Scholar. It has been accepted for inclusion by an authorized administrator. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Genocide that Everyone Should Have Seen Coming How the Cameroon Anglophone Crisis Extends Colonial Forces of Domination and Consent by Selena Gould Submitted in Fulfillment of the Honors Requirement for the Sociology Department Dickinson College Professor Susan Rose, Advisor Professor Daniel Schubert, Reader Professor Ed Webb, Reader Carlisle, Pennsylvania May, 2019 Gould, 1 Preface I would like to preface my thesis with the acknowledgement that I am a privileged, white American writing on a topic that does not greatly impact my culture nor country. For this reason, I intend for this project to be read with the assumption that I bring a privileged, Western perspective to this conflict that affects the livelihood of millions in Cameroon. I aspire to recontextualize and bring awareness to the Anglophone Crisis for an audience of Americans, to challenge their perceptions on an issue that is not extensively represented in media in the United States.
    [Show full text]
  • Opposition Politics and Electoral Democracy in Cameroon, 1992-2007
    Africa Development, Vol. XXXIX, No. 2, 2014, pp. 103 – 116 © Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa, 2014 (ISSN 0850-3907) Opposition Politics and Electoral Democracy in Cameroon, 1992-2007 George Ngwane* Abstract This article seeks to assess the impact of electoral democracy in Cameroon especially in terms of the performance of the Opposition between 1992 and 2007, evaluate the internal shortcomings of opposition parties, and make a projection regarding a vibrant democratic space that will go beyond routine elections to speak to the issues preoccupying the Cameroonian masses. Résumé Cet article vise à évaluer l’impact de la démocratie électorale au Cameroun en particulier en termes de performance de l’opposition entre 1992 et 2007, à évaluer les lacunes internes des partis d’opposition, et à faire une projection concernant un espace démocratique dynamique qui ira au-delà des élections ordinaires pour aborder les questions qui préoccupent les masses camerounaises. Introduction The political history of modern Cameroon can be divided into four periods. The first was the period of total dependence on the colonial power which extended from 1884 to 1945 during which the country did not possess representative institutions. The second period stretched from 1945 to 1960/ 61 during which Cameroonians passed their apprenticeship in democracy. The third started on 1st January 1960, with the proclamation of independence in French Cameroon and the reunification of West and East Cameroons in 1961 in a federal structure, and the fourth saw the light of day on 20 May 1972 when the federal structure was abolished in what the then Head of State, Ahmadou Ahidjo termed the ‘Peaceful Revolution’ (Sobseh Emmanuel 2012:88).
    [Show full text]
  • Country of Origin Information Report Cameroon January 2008
    COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT CAMEROON 16 JANUARY 2008 Border & Immigration Agency COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION SERVICE CAMEROON 16 JANUARY 2008 Contents Preface Latest News EVENTS IN CAMEROON FROM 1 DECEMBER 2007 TO 16 JANUARY 2008 REPORTS ON CAMEROON PUBLISHED OR ACCESSED SINCE 1 DECEMBER 2007 Paragraphs Background Information 1. GEOGRAPHY ......................................................................................... 1.01 Map ................................................................................................ 1.04 2. ECONOMY ............................................................................................. 2.01 3. HISTORY ............................................................................................... 3.01 4. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS ....................................................................... 4.01 5. CONSTITUTION ...................................................................................... 5.01 6. POLITICAL SYSTEM ................................................................................ 6.01 Human Rights 7. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................... 7.01 National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms (NCHRF).................................................................. 7.09 8. SECURITY SITUATION ............................................................................. 8.01 9. CRIME ................................................................................................... 9.01 10.
    [Show full text]
  • Northern Cameroon
    NORTHERN CAMEROON ATTACKS ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION BY GOVERNMENTAL AND TRADITIONAL AUTHORITIES July 1995 © ARTICLE 19 ISBN 1 870798 03 1 CONTENTS ACRONYMS AND COMMONLY USED TERMS INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND PART A: ATTACKS ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN THE NORTH 1. DETENTION OF 28 OPPOSITION ACTIVISTS 1.1 The Detainees 1.2 A Wider Pattern of Intimidation PART B: INFORMAL ATTACKS ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION 2. THE EMERGENCE OF TRADITIONAL KINGDOMS 3. LEGAL STATUS OF TRADITIONAL CHIEFS 4. THE LAMIDAT OF REY-BOUBA IN THE MAYO-REY 4.1 Protests about the Removal of Traditional Leaders 4.2 Detention in Private Prisons 4.3 Harassment of UNDP Members of the National Assembly 4.4 Other Abuses Against Political Activists 4.5 Restrictions on NGO Activities 5. SUPPRESSION OF OPPOSITION POLITICAL ACTIVITIES IN THE LAMIDAT OF TCHÉBOA 6. ATTEMPTS TO SILENCE VICTIMS 6.1 The Bakari Madi Case in Mindif 6.2 Silencing Protests Over an Alleged Forced Marriage 6.3 Protesting Forced Labour in the Lamidat of Tchéboa 6.4 Harassment of Human Rights Activists 7. CAMEROON'S OBLIGATIONS UNDER INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW 8. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS NB This version of the report does not contain footnotes. For a complete copy contact [email protected] ACRONYMS AND COMMONLY USED TERMS belaka A traditional chief according to ethnic Mbum customs CODERSAZO Comité pour le développement de la région de Mayo-Sala et Mayo- Zoro, (Committee for the Development of the Region of Mayo- Sala and Mayo-Zoro) RDPC Rassemblement démocratique du peuple camerounais (Cameroon People's
    [Show full text]
  • 2018 Human Rights Report
    CAMEROON 2018 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Cameroon is a republic dominated by a strong presidency. The country has a multiparty system of government, but the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) has remained in power since its creation in 1985. In practice the president retains the power to control legislation. On October 7, citizens re- elected CPDM leader Paul Biya president, a position he has held since 1982. The election was marked by irregularities, including intimidation of voters and representatives of candidates at polling sites, late posting of polling sites and voter lists, ballot stuffing, voters with multiple registrations, and alleged polling results manipulation. On March 25, the country conducted the second senate elections in its history. They were peaceful and considered generally free and fair. In 2013 simultaneous legislative and municipal elections were held, and most observers considered them free and fair. New legislative and municipal elections were expected to take place during the year; however, in consultation with the parliament and the constitutional council, President Biya extended the terms of office of parliamentarians and municipal councilors for 12 months, and general elections were expected to take place in fall 2019 or early 2020. Civilian authorities at times did not maintain effective control over the security forces, including police and gendarmerie. The sociopolitical crisis that began in the Northwest and Southwest Regions in late 2016 over perceived marginalization developed into
    [Show full text]
  • Elections Et Politique Au Cameroun: Concurrence Deloyale, Coalitions De Stabilite Hegemonique Et Politique D'affection*
    The African e-Journals Project has digitized full text of articles of eleven social science and humanities journals. This item is from the digital archive maintained by Michigan State University Library. Find more at: http://digital.lib.msu.edu/projects/africanjournals/ Available through a partnership with Scroll down to read the article. Afr. j. polit. sci. (1997), Vol. 2 No. 1, 89-121 Elections et Politique au Cameroun: Concurrence Deloyale, Coalitions de stabilite Hegemonique et Politique d'Affection* Luc Sindjoun** Le passage des "elections sans choix" a resultats plebiscitaires aux elections competiti ves a transparence parfois contestee constitue une rupture paradigmatique dans la vie politique Camerounaise, dans la trajectoire politique post coloniale. La rupture ne doit pas etre absolutisee du fait de lacapacite d'adaptation conservatrice, de canalisation du flux du changement politique dont les elites dirigeantes Camerounaises ont fait montre (SINDJOUN, 1994a: 143-165 MBEMBE: 1993, 345-374). Toutefois, il est contestable de minimiser les mutations induites par la competition electorate fut-elle entachee d'irregularites (SCHATZBERG, 1993). C'est 1' illusion de la continuite politique. En effet, dans un systeme politique edifie et consolide par et dans le "monolithisme" (BAYART, 1985), le pluralisme fut-il imparfait constitue un nouveau paradigme politique produisant des effets de croyances, de representations et d'actions qui affectent celui-la en depit de Peventuelle stabilite des dirigeants. Autrement dit, c'est de maniere dynamique que la continuite politique doit etre pensee au Cameroun (BIGOMBE LOGO et MENTHONG, 1996; MONGA 1992). Par souci de vigilance et d'exigence, Achille MBEMBE ecrit: "Qu 'il s 'agisse de leurs fondements, des moyens et des fins de leur administration, Von peut difficilement affirmer que les regimes politiques d' Afrique sont desormais assis sur de nouvelles legitimites ...la democratic en Afrique reste par consequent, un horizon" (MBEMBE, 1996 : 46).
    [Show full text]
  • Release of the 45 Detainees Survivors of Dou PRESS RELEASE
    Central Africa Human Rights Defenders Network ----------------------------------- Release of the 45 detainees survivors of Doublé and Magdémé by the Maroua Military Tribunal on the 13th of June 2017. PRESS RELEASE: Douala-Cameroon, the 10th of July 2017: The advocacy of REDHAC and its partners has borne fruit. On the 13th of June, 45 survivors of the villages of Madgémé and Doublé, in the Far North Region of Cameroon, suspected of being "Boko Haram" followers detained at the Central Prison of Maroua, were released as a result of a decision issued by the Military Court of Maroua. Reminder of facts: A sweep operation in two villages in the department of Mayo Sava (in the Far North region of Cameroon), Magdémé and Doublé following a Boko Haram’s attack on the 27th of December 2014 led to the arrest of about 130 people suspected of being followers of Boko Haram. Arrested and detained at the Central Prison of Maroua their trial opened on 21/11/2016. They were prosecuted for: "Secession, armed band, insurrection, murder, illegal port and detention of weapons and munitions of war". On the 29th of May 2017, the judges of the Military Court of Maroua started their deliberations and the case was adjourned to the 7th of June and then to the 13th of June 2017. On that date, the Tribunal declared them not guilty of all charges except one: "insurrection"; In addition, they had a sentence of 30 months but after balancing it with the time spent in prison, it became clear that they can no longer serve this sentence.
    [Show full text]