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Biography of His Excellency , President of the Republic of Cameroon

President Paul BIYA was born on 13 February 1933 at - Prime Minister: 30 June 1975; Mvomeka’a, Meyomesalla Sub-division, Dja-et-Lobo Division, to the Late Etienne Mvondo - Prime Minister and Constitutional Successor: Assam and Mvondo Anastasie Eyenga Elle. President 29 June 1979; Biya, who is the second Head of State of Cameroon - President of the Republic following the assumed office on 6 November 1982 following the resignation of President Ahmadou Ahidjo : 6 resignation of President Ahmadou Ahidjo. November 1982.

1. Education 3. Achievements as President of the Republic Primary Education: Nden, culminating in the First School Leaving Certificate (CEPE) in 1948. On taking the oath of office, President promised to democratize the political life, introduce social and Secondary Education: St. Tharcissus pre-Seminary economic liberalization, rigour in the management of Edea (1948-50), Minor Seminary Akono (1951-54), public affairs, moralization of attitudes and reinforce culminating in a secondary school certificate, (BEPC) international cooperation. In this connection, he was: in June 1953. - Elected President of the Cameroon National High School Education: Lycee General Leclerc High Union (CNU): 14 September 1983; School (1954-55), culminating in a Baccalaureat Part 1 Certificate in June 1955, and the Lycee Louis le Grand - Elected President of the Cameroon Peoples in Paris culminating in the Baccalareat certificate Part 2 Democratic Party (CPDM) on the transformation in June 1956. of the CNU in : 24 March 1985 and re-elected in all the party’s subsequent University Education: Degree in Public Law, Graduate congresses; of the Institute of Political Science, Paris and the Institute of Advanced Overseas Studies (IHEOM), and - Elected President of the Republic on 14 holder of a post-graduate diploma in Public Law. January 1984 and 24 April 1988 under the one- party democratic system; 2. Professional Development and Career - Elected President of the Republic under the multi-party democratic system on 11 October - Senior Policy Adviser (Charge de Mission) in 1992, 12 October 1997, 11 October 2004, and the Presidency of the Republic: October 1962; 9 October 2011; - Director of Cabinet (Chief of Staff), Ministry of National Education: January 1964; - Elected Chairman of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) for 1996-97 and that of the - Permanent Secretary, Ministry of National CEMAC and ECCAS on many occasions. Education: July 1965; In 1990, President BIYA said he will like to be - Director of the Civil Cabinet (Chief of Staff), remembered as the one who brought democracy and Presidency of the Republic: December 1967; prosperity in Cameroon. Today, Cameroon stands out as one of the most democratic countries in Africa with - Secretary General and Director of the Civil Cabinet: January 1968; some 254 political parties, 308 foreign association and 47 religious associations. The country also has over - Minister of State, Secretary General in the 600 private newspapers, 98 private radio stations, and Presidency of the Republic: June 1970; 19 private TV stations. 1 A committed democrat, President BIYA believes in President BIYA has been married to Mrs. Chantal BIYA power-sharing and shared responsibility in governance, since 23 April 1994 and is a father of three: Frank BIYA, which explains his interest in forming governing Paul BIYA Jnr., and Anastasie Brenda Eyenga BIYA. coalitions with Opposition parties since 1992 in spite of his crushing majority in Parliament. President BIYA is highly respected as a “Wiseman of Africa” and for his international peace, security, development and humanitarian initiatives, which have earned him a number of international recognitions and awards, the latest being that of the Pan-African Lawyer’s Union of 6 June 2014 for peaceful resolution of conflicts.

2 REPUBLIQUEDU CAMEROUN REPUBLIQUE OF CAMEROON Paix - Travail - Patrie Peace - Work- Fatherland ------CABINET CIVIL CABINET CIVIL ------Cellule de communication Communication unit SOME BIOGRAPHICAL ELEMENTS OF THE PRESIDENT SERGIO MATTARELLA

- Born on the 23rd of July 1941 in Palermo. - He also had the function of Minister on four occasions. - 1964, he graduated in law at the University of Rome “La Sapienza” with an honourable - July 1987-July 1989, he was appointed grade Minister of Relations with the Parliament. - Since 1967, he entered on the roll of the Bar - July 1989 to July 1990 he was Minister of Association of the Bar of Palermo. Public Education. - Taught parliamentary law at the Faculty of - October 1998, he was appointed Deputy Law of the University of Palermo until 1983, Chairman of the Council of Ministers. date of layoff for parliamentary mandate. December 1999, he became Minister of His political career began under the sign of Defence, a position he held until 2001. During Catholic social commitment and reformer. 1983, this period, Italy had a significant presence in he was elected Member of Parliament for the peacekeeping missions deployed by the United Christian Democratic Party in the Sicily western Nations and brought a major contribution to the constituency. He was re-elected several times operations of interposition and peacekeeping and sat in the House of Members of Parliament in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the former until 2008. Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. At that same time, Italy supported with conviction, - During the seventh legislature he was the launching of the European Security and member of the Commission for Constitutional Defence Policy and the creation among others, Affairs, Foreign Affairs Committee and the of the first European army corps. Committee for legislation, of which he is - 2008, he left political life. President. - In May 2009, Parliament appointed him - In addition, he is member of the Bicameral member of the Council of the Presidency of Committee for Institutional Reforms of the administrative justice, organisation in which th XI legislature, where he became Vice he became Vice-President. President of the Bicameral Committee for th Institutional Reforms of the XIIIth legislature - On the 5 of October 2011, he was elected of the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry constitutional judge by the Parliament; he on terrorism and terrorist attacks, of the sworn in on the 11th of October 2011. Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry on Mafia. - He was elected 12th President of the Italian He is President of the Judicial Committee of Republic on the 31st of January 2015 and the Chamber of Members of Parliament and succeeded Giorgio Napolitano who resigned President of the Parliamentary Group of the from his duties on the 15th of January 2015. Popular and Democratic party. - He is father of three (03) children.

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Presentation of Italy

General data Economic data - Official name: Italian Republic - GDP (2014): 1, 613, 000, 000, 000 € - Government type: Parliamentary system - Growth rate (2015): 0.8 (2016 forecast: 1.3 - 1.5%) - President: Mr. Sergio Mattarella (elected on - Unemployment rate (according to ILO) (December January 31, 2015), member of the Democratic 2015): 11, 4%, including 37.9% in the 15-24 age Party (PD) group. - Prime Minister (Head of Government): Mr. Matteo - Inflation rate (2015): 0.2% (2016 forecast: 1.0%) Renzi (since February 22, 2014), member of the Democratic Party (PD) - Fiscal deficit (as % of GDP) (2015): -2.6% (2016 forecast: -2.4%) - Trade balance (2014): € 42.8 billion Geographic data - Main clients (2014): 1 (12.5%) - 2 - Area: 310,226 km2 (10.5%) - 3 United States (7.5%); 4. UK (5.2%), 5 Switzerland (4.8%); 6 Spain (4.5%) - Capital: Rome (2,874,000 inhabitants; urban area: 4,103,250 inhabitants) - Major suppliers (2014): 1 Germany (15.4%) - 2 France (8.6%) - 3 China (7.1%). 4. - Main cities: Milan (1,336,000; urban area: (5.5%), 5 Spain (4.8%), 6 Russia (4.6%), 7 Belgium 7,123,563 inhabitants), Turin (897,000), Naples (4.2%) (989,000), Palermo (676,000). - Share of main sectors in GDP: - Official language: Italian • Agriculture: 2.3% - Currency: Euro • Industry: 24.3% - National Day: June 2 (since 1946) • Services: 74.4% - Cameroonian community in Italy: almost 12,000 Demographic data people, 4,000 students (2014). - Population: 60,782,700 (January 1, 2014) - Italian community in Cameroon: - Population Growth: 1.2% (World Bank, 2013)

- Life expectancy: 82,3 (World Bank, 2013) 79.9 Domestic policy men, women 84.8 - The current Italian government, led by Matteo - Literacy rate: 99% (UNICEF, 2012) Renzi since February 2014, is supported by a coalition of the Democratic Party (PD), New - Religion(s): Christians (80%, mainly Catholics), Centre-Right (NCD), Civic Choice, Union of the Muslims (1.5%), atheists and agnostics (<20%) Centre (UdC), the Italian Socialist Party (PSI), the - : 26th in the world Alliance for Italy (API) and various regional parties. (2013) It has a theoretical majority of 398 deputies out of 630 in the House (including 309 for the PD) and 1 175 of 321 seats in the (including 113 for - Matteo Renzi is experiencing difficulties today the PD). The main opposition parties are Five Star although he remains popular (40% positive). The Movement of Beppe Grillo (91 deputies), Forza regional elections of May 2015 were disappointing Italia of Silvio Berlusconi (70 MPs), Northern for the President of the Council, with only 25% of League of Matteo Salvini (17 MPs) and the Left the vote for the PD at national level. He also faces Ecology Freedom (25 deputies). an ongoing revolt from members of his own party (particularly led by Prodi and Bersani), which makes - Ending the government of Mario Monti (2011- its fragile parliamentary majority, especially in the 2013), the last parliamentary elections (Chamber of Senate. The President of the Council, has also Deputies and Senate), held on February 24 and 25, been criticised by the opposition for his difficulties 2013. It brought in the PD with 30% of the votes (no in getting support from its European partners on clear majority). At the failure of parties to agree, the migration issues. creation of a new government was postponed until after the presidential election. The latter took place - Matteo Renzi also faces a dynamic opposition. on April 20, 2013 and led to the reappointment of The Five Star Movement of comedian Beppe Grillo Giorgio Napolitano (chairman since 2006), after the remains the second party of Italy, thanks to an anti- failure of several other candidates. A few days later, system discourse despite its very readable political Enrico Letta, the number two of the Democratic line. The Northern League is now the right party and Party, was sworn in as President of the Council, the its youth leader, Matteo Salvini, enjoys a growing head of a grand coalition government combining popularity. This party, which supports a range of politicians of left, right, centre and technocrats. northern Italy, however, fails to extend to the south. 10 months later, in February 2014, the Council Faced with these two competitors, Forza Italia President was nevertheless forced to resign after party of Silvio Berlusconi, continues to decline: low being outvoted by the leadership of the Democratic election results from several parliamentarians. The Party, under the leadership of its new national opposition, fragmented and unable to compromise, secretary, the young mayor of Florence Matteo however, is not a short-term threat to the prime Renzi. minister. - The coming to power of Matteo Renzi was a turning point for Italy and announced the end of a period of twenty years dominated by the politics of Silvio Economic situation Berlusconi. The Democratic Party won 41% of - Third European economy, Italy has significant the votes in the European elections in May 2014; strengths: low private debt levels, and strict two months after Mr Renzi arrived at the Palazzo management of the public deficit. Its industrial Chigi. This assured Mr. Renzi internal legitimacy base is dense and dynamic; consisting of 4 million that enabled him to implement his ambitious reform SME networks. However, it is faced with difficulties program. His optimism and voluntarism found a to adapt to the increasing globalisation (lack of strong echo not only in Italy but also in the rest of productivity, loss of competitiveness, labour market the European Union. rigidity, lack of innovation and R&D expenditures). - Mr. Renzi wants to modernise the economy and - Italy remains vulnerable today because of its Italian society: reform of the labour market (the deteriorated economic situation and public debt. “Jobs Act”), tax reforms, measures to promote The economic environment is expected to improve competitiveness, school reform (known as “La in 2016. Nevertheless, the weight of public debt buona scuola”) etc. He also intends to fundamentally is still very high (133.1% of GDP in 2015), but transform the political and institutional face of the thanks to relatively restrained public deficit (-3% in country. The new electoral law (which ends the 2014, -2.6% in 2015), the government expects its proportional system by introducing a premium decrease from next year. In recession since 2012 leading party), adopted in May, and Senate reform (-2.8% in 2012, -1.7% in 2013, -0.4% in 2014), the scheduled for 2016 (which will give prominence country is gradually returning to growth: 0.8% in to the Chamber of Deputies) should contribute 2015, between 1.3 and 1.5% in 2016. Nevertheless, to greater governmental stability, the creation of the unemployment rate remains high (12.7% in large alternating parties and rationalisation of the 2014), will decline only slowly in the coming years Italian parliamentary system. Anxious to respect (12.4% in 2016). European rules, Mr. Renzi has also committed to reforming the Italian administration and reduce - In terms of foreign trade, the state of the Italian public spending (-2.4% public deficit in 2016). economy improved in 2014, with a surplus up 45% 2 from one year to another and reaching almost € 43 sought to rebuild a strong relationship with Libya, billion (€ 86 billion excluding energy products). This Tunisia and Egypt, by increasing high-level contacts performance resulted from the combined effect of and negotiating new partnership agreements the increase in exports (especially towards the EU (security, immigration, energy, economy). Italy countries), and the decline in imports (net decrease is very concerned about the very poor situation in import values of energy products and continued of Libya now, which it considers a humanitarian decline in domestic demand). priority. Moreover, Italy is facing an exceptional influx of migrants (more than 140,000 migrants have arrived in Italy since January 1, 2015) and obtained an enhanced European cooperation in Foreign policy migration management in the Mediterranean. With - The Italian foreign policy priorities are the European the support of the Commission, relevant European Union, essential dimension for its modernisation agencies (European Support Office on asylum, and its international influence, the Atlantic Frontex and Europol), UNHCR, IOM and several alliance and special relationship with Washington, NGOs (MSF, Save the Children), Italy started the guarantor of its security, the Balkans and the implementation of the relocation mechanisms, Mediterranean, preferred areas for economic and from the hot spots on its territory (besides the cultural exchanges. Italy focused its diplomatic and Lampedusa, Trapani and Pozzallo centres, Italy military means in this regional environment. shall open three more centres at Porto Empedocle, Augusta and Taranto). - Member of the Group of Eight, Italy considers the Balkans as an intense economic cooperation area. Italy is thus the most fervent promoter of the European perspective of the Western Balkans. This applies particularly to Serbia and Albania. Sharing a border with Slovenia, it welcomed the settlement in 2009 of the Croatian-Slovenian maritime dispute, which paved the way for the continuation of the accession process of Croatia. Italy has strongly promoted the liberalisation of the EU visa regime for these countries. Rome recognised Kosovo on February 21, 2008. - Wishing to support democratic transitions in countries of the southern Mediterranean, Rome

3 REPUBLIQUEDU CAMEROUN REPUBLIQUE OF CAMEROON Paix - Travail - Patrie Peace - Work- Fatherland ------CABINET CIVIL CABINET CIVIL ------Cellule de communication Communication unit General Presentation of Cameroon t Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon is a trade with the coastal peoples, and Christian country in the west Central Africa region. It is bordered pushed inland. In the early 19th century, Modibo Adama led by Nigeria to the west; to the northeast; the Central Fulani soldiers on a jihad in the north against non-Muslim African Republic to the east; and , , and partially Muslim peoples and established the Adamawa and the to the south. Cameroon’s Emirate. Settled peoples who fled the Fulani caused a major coastline lies on the Bight of Bonny, part of the Gulf of redistribution of population. The northern part of Cameroon Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean. The country is often was an important part of the Muslim slave trade network. referred to as “Africa in miniature” for its geological and cultural diversity. Natural features include beaches, deserts, mountains, , and savannas. The highest point On 1 January 1960, French Cameroun gained independence is Mount Cameroon in the Southwest, and the largest cities from France under President AHMADOU AHIDJO. On 1 are , Yaoundé and . Cameroon is home to over October 1961, the formerly British Southern 200 different linguistic groups. The country is well known for united with French Cameroun to form the Federal Republic its native styles of music, particularly makossa and bikutsi, of Cameroon. AHIDJO used the ongoing war with the UPC and for its successful national football team. French and to concentrate power in the presidency, continuing with this English are the official languages. even after the suppression of the UPC in 1971.[19]

Early inhabitants of the territory included the Sao His political party, the Cameroon National Union (CNU), civilisation around Lake Chad and the Baka hunter-gatherers became the sole legal political party on 1 September 1966 in the southeastern . Portuguese explorers reached and in 1972, the federal system of government was abolished the coast in the 15th century and named the area Rio dos in favour of a United Republic of Cameroon, headed from Camarões (Shrimp River), which became Cameroon in English. Fulani soldiers founded the Adamawa Emirate in Yaoundé. AHIDJO pursued an economic policy of planned the north in the 19th century, and various ethnic groups of liberalism, prioritising cash crops and exploitation. the west and northwest established powerful chiefdoms The government used oil money to create a national cash and fondoms. Cameroon became a German colony in 1884 reserve, pay farmers, and finance major development known as ‘Kamerun”. projects.

Compared with other African countries, Cameroon enjoys AHIDJO stepped down on 4 November 1982 and left power relatively high political and social stability. This has permitted to his constitutional successor, Paul BIYA. the development of agriculture, roads, railways, and large petroleum and timber industries. Nevertheless, large President BIYA’s Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement numbers of Cameroonians live in poverty as subsistence (CPDM) was the only legal political party until December farmers. 1990. Numerous regional political groups have since formed. The primary opposition is the Social Democratic History Front (SDF), based largely in the Anglophone region of the country and headed by John FRU NDI. President BIYA and The territory of present day Cameroon was first settled his party have maintained control of the presidency and the during the Neolithic Era. The longest continuous inhabitants National Assembly in national elections. are groups such as the Baka (Pygmies). From here,Bantu migrations into eastern, southern, and central Africa are Cameroon is a member of both the Commonwealth of believed to have originated about 2,000 years ago. The Sao Nations and La Francophonie culture arose around Lake Chad c. AD 500 and gave way to the Kanem and its successor state, the Bornu empire. Administrative divisions Kingdoms, fondoms, and chiefdoms arose in the west.[9] The constitution divides Cameroon into 10 semi-autonomous Portuguese sailors reached the coast in 1472. They noted an regions, each under the administration of an elected Regional abundance of the ghost shrimp Lepidophthalmus turneranus Council. A presidential decree of 12 November 2008 officially in the River and named it Rio dos Camarões (Shrimp instigated the change from provinces to regions. Each region River), which became Cameroon in English. Over the is headed by a Governor. These leaders are charged with following few centuries, European interests regularised implementing the will of the president, reporting on the 1 general mood and conditions of the regions, administering of GDP to 10% and official reserves quadrupled to over USD the civil service, keeping the peace, and overseeing the 3 billion. Cameroon is part of the Bank of Central African heads of the smaller administrative units. States (of which it is the dominant economy), the Customs and Economic Union of Central Africa (UDEAC) and The regions are subdivided into 58 Divisions and further the Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in subdivided into 360 Subdivisions. Africa (OHADA).[77] Its currency is the CFA franc.

The three northernmost regions are the Far North, North Cameroon’s natural resources are very well suited to and Adamawa. Directly south of them are the Centre agriculture and arboriculture. An estimated 70% of the and East. The South region lies on the and population farms, and agriculture comprised an estimated the southern border.: The Littoral and Southwest regions are 19.8% of GDP in 2009.[1]Most agriculture is done at the on the coast, and the Northwest and West regions are in the subsistence scale by local farmers using simple tools. They western grassfields. sell their surplus produce, and some maintain separate fields for commercial use. Urban centres are particularly reliant on Geography peasant agriculture for their foodstuffs. and climate on the coast encourage extensive commercial cultivation of .At 475,442 square kilometres (183,569 sq miles), Cameroon bananas, cocoa, oil palms, rubber, and tea. Inland on the is the world’s 53rd-largest country. The country is located , cash crops include , sugar, in Central and West Africa on the Bight of Bonny, part of and tobacco. Coffee is a major in the western the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean. Cameroon lies highlands, and in the north, natural conditions favour crops between latitudes 1° and 13°N, and longitudes 8° and 17°E. such as cotton, groundnuts, and rice. Reliance on agricultural exports makes Cameroon vulnerable to shifts in their prices. Tourist literature describes Cameroon as “Africa in miniature” because it exhibits all major climates and vegetation of Livestock are raised throughout the country. Fishing the continent: coast, desert, mountains, rainforest, and employs 5,000 people and provides over 100,000 tons of savanna. The country’s neighbours are Nigeria to the seafood each year. , long a staple food for rural west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to Cameroonians, is today a delicacy in the country’s urban the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and the Republic of centres. The commercial bushmeat trade has now surpassed the Congo to the south. as the main threat to wildlife in Cameroon.

Economy. The southern rainforest has vast timber reserves, estimated to cover 37% of Cameroon’s total land area. However, large Cameroon’s per-capita GDP (Purchasing power parity) was areas of the forest are difficult to reach. , largely estimated as US$2,300 in 2008,[1] one of the ten highest handled by foreign-owned firms, provides the government in sub-Saharan Africa. Major export markets include France, US$60 million a year as of 1998, and laws mandate the Italy, South Korea, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Cameroon safe and sustainable exploitation of timber. Nevertheless, is aiming to become an emerging country by 2035. in practice, the industry is one of the least regulated in Cameroon. Cameroon has had a decade of strong economic performance, with GDP growing at an average of 4% per year. During the 2004–2008 period, public debt was reduced from over 60%

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RELATIONS BETWEEN CAMEROON AND ITALY (1)

I. Diplomatic Relations XXIII. We notice each time the presence of a - Diplomatic relations between Cameroon and Italy representative of the Italian government in the host were established in the aftermath of Cameroon’s protocol. accession to sovereignty in 1960. - November 2012, the Minister of Foreign Affairs - 28th of February 1962: presentation of credentials makes an official visit to Italy marked by numerous of the first Ambassador of the Italian Republic to discussions with the authorities of this country, Cameroon with residence in Yaoundé. among which the Minister of Foreign Affairs. - July 1964: Opening of the Cameroonian Embassy II. Economic technical and in Rome and appointment of an interim chargé cultural cooperation d’Affaires. On the financial and technical point of view This mission closed in 1965 and reopened in 1974. - Marked support from Italy to Cameroon since the - 1984: appointment of the first Cameroonian early 1990s: signature of two (02) rescheduling Ambassador in Rome, two years after the accession agreements of Cameroon’s debt (1991 and 1995). of President Paul BIYA to power. - Funding of several infrastructure projects (roads, Since then, the political and diplomatic cooperation airports and ). between the two countries has been growing continuously. Bilateral Agreements: - The Ambassador of the Republic of Cameroon - November 24, signing in Rome of Cameroon’s to Italy is Mr. Dominique AWONO ESSAMA, debt rescheduling agreement vis-à-vis Italy: 40, 4 appointed on the 9th of June 2008. He presented his billion FCFA rescheduled over a period of 23 years credentials to the President of the Italian Republic for commercial loans and 12 years for loans under on the 21st of January 2009. public development aid. - Mrs. Samuela ISOPI is the Ambassador of the - October 2002, Cameroon benefits from a debt Italian Republic to Cameroon. She presented her cancellation of 39.2 billion FCFA in favour of an credentials to the President of the Republic, Paul agreement on the debt consolidation negotiated BIYA, on the 19th of September 2014. within the Paris Club. Exchange of Visits - Agreement on debt cancellation: in force since the 30th of November 2006, provides the deletion Exchange of visits between the leading figures of in favour of Cameroon of 134.8 million Euros (88.4 both countries are regular. billion FCFA) of which 44.2 million Euros (29 billion - 1990, visit of the Head of State, H.E. Paul BIYA to FCFA) for aid loans and 90.5 million Euros (59.4 Italy on the occasion of the football World Cup: he billion FCFA) for trade finance. witnessed the opening match Cameroon-Argentina - Agreement on the Promotion and the Reciprocal (1-0). Protection of Investments signed on the 29th of June - The Head of State, although invited by the Vatican 1999, in force since 2004. authorities, stepped on the Italian ground twice in - Agreement on Economic, Technical and Financial the last two years: in 2013 on the occasion of the Development cooperation signed on the 17th of official visit to Vatican and in 2014 on the occasion January 1989. of the canonization of Pope John Paul II and John

1 Economic and Commercial Terms forestry and wood processing. They employ over - Strengthening of relations since 2009, marked 2,000 Cameroonian workers. by Cameroon’s participation in trade fairs and - In the transport and spare parts sector, Pirelli economic forums in Italy. company specialised in tyre operates in Douala; - Italy is the ninth supplier of Cameroon after Ferroro, based in Yaoundé produces chocolate France, Nigeria, China, Belgium, USA, Thailand, and chocolate spread. Germany and India. Agriculture and Socio-Cultural Cooperation - From Italy, Cameroon imports mainly machines - Signature in 2010 of a Master Agreement on and various equipment, plastics, ceramics, cast large-scale rice cultivation on an area of 2000 iron works, iron and steel, paper and cardboard, hectares at Maga, Far , between the motor vehicles and tractors, furniture and medical Cameroonian government and Oriz-Cameroon furniture. enterprise (Enterprise with both Cameroonian - From Cameroon, Italy imports raw materials such and Italian capital). as petroleum, wood and aluminium; agricultural - At the socio-cultural level, several Italian NGOs products such as coffee, rubber, fruits, etc. are active in Cameroon, working in the field of - Italian companies in Cameroon, about thirty of health and that of local development. them, are exclusively concentrated in the area of

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RELATIONS BETWEEN CAMEROON AND ITALY (2)

III - Partnership in Public Health for Security Forces (EIFORCES) of Awae in Cooperation in this domain is also highly developed Cameroon. between the two countries. Some examples: - Finally, two Catholic priests, Fathers Giampolo - Cooperation with the Chantal Biya International Marta and Gianantonio Allegri, abducted by elements of Boko Haram on the night of the 4th Reference Centre for Research on the prevention th th to 5 of April 2014, in the Far North region of and care of HIV / AIDS. The 11 of May, 2006 st marked the signing of the cooperation agreement Cameroon, were released unharmed on the 1 by the Italian government to finance the research of June, 2014. programme on the prevention and care of HIV / At the Humanitarian Level AIDS. Amount: 1,441,000,000 FCFA. - To respond to the humanitarian emergency - In addition to this agreement, Italy has continued resulting from the fight against the Boko Haram to support the Chantal Biya International terrorist group, the Italian Government in partnership Reference Centre for Research on the with the Italian NGO “INTERSOS” offered a cargo prevention and care of HIV / AIDS in various ship to Cameroon, worth 150,000 Euros made of other ways. Thus, both countries agreed to non-perishable foodstuffs intended for displaced gather the resources coming from the debt families in the Mayo-Kani department. cancellation and new financial allocations by the Italian Government to support the action of the Chantal Biya International Reference Centre for V - UNIVERSITY COOPERATION Research on the prevention and care of HIV / - Various scholarships for training and advanced AIDS. training courses are regularly granted to - Reference St. Elizabeth of Shisong, Cameroonians. Northwest region also benefits from the support - The Italian government gives about 400 visas of the Italian Cooperation. Created in 2002, the every year to Cameroonian students. Catholic hospital houses the only opened heart care cardiology centre in Central and West - Establishment of a partnership with the University Africa. The technical platform is of high quality. of Dschang in Cameroon, which has an Italian language centre and a network of cooperation - Italy has also contributed to the construction of hospitals and health centres in several other with Italian universities in the fields of agriculture, cities in Cameroon. medicine, pharmacy as well as linguistics. IV- IN TERMS OF SECURITY - Other state universities in Cameroon develop beneficial partnerships with Italian universities in - Cameroon and Italy cooperate in the training various fields. of elements of the Cameroonian National Gendarmerie; peace-keeping activities with help from the Centre of Excellence for Stability of Conclusion : Police Units. The cooperation between Cameroon and Italy is - Hundreds of Cameroonian officers and warrant sound, it deserves to be raised to a higher level; officers trained by the Italian “Carabineers”. the official visit of President Paul BIYA is expected - Italy also supports the International School to revitalize it. REPUBLIQUEDU CAMEROUN REPUBLIQUE OF CAMEROON Paix - Travail - Patrie Peace - Work- Fatherland ------CABINET CIVIL CABINET CIVIL ------Cellule de communication Communication unit

PROSPECTS OF COOPERATION BETWEEN ITALY AND CAMEROON

Due to the absence of Cameroon among - The prospect of opening an office of the Italy’s priority countries of cooperation in recent Italian Cooperation Agency in Cameroon. years, the Italian-Cameroon cooperation in the This option strongly considered by the development assistance area is experiencing a Italian authorities augur a renewed interest relative dynamism, particularly in the context of in our country, and that would lead to the economic and financial crisis faced by European reinstatement of Cameroon among the countries. priority countries for Italian cooperation policy in 2017. However, the major news of this cooperation concerns the recent updating of financing - In terms of economic partnerships, it mechanism on development such as debt is necessary to address the ongoing cancellation to Italy. discussions on the mobilisation of Italian expertise in infrastructural matters, for Indeed, the 2006 Agreement relating to the example: cancellation of an envelope of FCFA 99.3 billion included a 33% allocation ($ 32.7 billion) in - The construction of a football stadium in projects to be agreed with the Italians. These Yaounde as part of the preparation for are commitments which have underpinned the the AFCON 2019. On the request of the mobilisation by Cameroon, amounting to FCFA company PICCINI, the Italian reaction three billion for the implementation of the first remains pending. 2009-2011 program. Regarding the second program that will cover the period 2016-2018, - The construction of the Twin Towers to nine billion will be mobilised (three billion a host the headquarters of the Cameroon year) to finance projects in the areas of: basic Telecommunications company (CAMTEL). education, health, and rural development on - The project to build 10,000 social housing agreed terms. with PIZZAROTTI society.

Revitalisation efforts and the strengthening - The first session of the Ad Hoc Steering of cooperation have been developing both Committee and the follow up of Cameroon- institutionally and in terms of economic Italy Bilateral Agreements on the cancellation partnerships with Italian operators. of the debt of Cameroon, co-chaired by Institutionally we note: Minister Louis Paul Motaze and Ambassador Samuela Isopi, held on January 29, 2016 - The cooperation in agricultural research. at the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Satisfactory results were made in the context Regional Development (MINEPAT). It has of work on cassava processing conducted validated the following programming: between MINADER and the University of Florence in Italy. The joint exploitation of these results is envisaged to promote the food industry.

1 TRIENNALE PROGRAMMING SHEET (2016-2018) DEBT CANCELLATION and INVESTMENT

1. Health, it will be during the 2016 - Construction and equipment of 113 fiscal year, to intervene in the four target classrooms in primary schools and kindergartens regions (Adamawa, East, North and Far North) (FCFA 1,231,650,000); particularly in terms of: - Construction and equipment of 10 - construction of 14 health centres at a cost of community nursery schools (FCFA 85 million); FCFA 700 million; - Grant of FCFA 50 million to the CIRCB - construction of two Mother and Child (capacity building through research and training). pavilions (FCFA 120 million); - equipment of 89 integrated health centres and the District Medical Centres for FCFA 736 3. Rural Development, programmed million; during the year 2016, FCFA 150 million has been allocated for the establishment of an - grant of FCFA 100 million to the CIRCB agro-pastoral incubator for entrepreneurship at (capacity building through research and training). Balamba, Mbam and Inoubou Division. Before the closing of the three-year cycle in 2018, FCFA two billion will be mobilised for the operation of 2. Basic Education, for the same 13 incubators. period in 2016, FCFA 1,744,650,000 has been envisaged to finance the following projects: The realisation of these important projects - Construction and equipment of 14 maternal will help strengthen and influence the Italian- blocks in kindergarten at a cost of FCFA 378 Cameroon cooperation. million;

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Major Projects Pending Funding

In pursuit of the objectives set out in the vision of a country’s - Construction of the highway Yaoundé-Nsimalen development emerging at horizon 2035, Cameroon spares - Construction of a bridge over river Sanaga at Nachtigal no effort to modernize its productive base through the development of sea ports, roads, energy infrastructures, etc. - Construction of the road --Kenzou- Central African Republic border The implementation of these major projects requires - Tarring of the road Maltam-Fotokol and of the slip road substantial funding. To meet this constraint, the Government Bodo - Makary-Hile-Alifa-Karena Katekime; intends to gradually increase in the state budget, the share devoted to investment expenditure and lead a prudent debt - Construction of the Olama- road; policy. It is in this sense that Cameroon intends to strengthen - Construction of the -Bogo road; its cooperation with national and international technical and financial partners. - Construction of the Ring Road in the North ; - Construction of the --Kribi road; Some priority projects awaiting funding - Construction of the Ebolowa-Akom II-Kribi road;  Port infrastructures: - Construction of the Olama-Lolodorf road; - Draft deep-water port Limbe - Construction of the Kribi-Campo road; - Dredging of the Port of Douala - Rehabilitation of the Yaoundé--Bafia highway; - The second phase of the construction project of the industrial port complex of Kribi. - Tarring of the Kumba-Mamfe road.

 Airport infrastructures:  Railway infrastructures:

- Renovation of Douala International Airport. - National Railway Master Plan;

- Construction of new airports - Construction of the Ngaoundere-N’Djamena railway line.

 Energy infrastructures:  Socio-economic infrastructures

- Construction project of a hydroelectric dam at Natchigal - Construction project of social housing facilities - Hydroelectric development Projects of Njock and Song - Project of Construction and Equipment of the Dong Regional Hospital, specialized in the treatment of severe burns; - Construction project of the hydroelectric dam of Birnin at Warrack - Project of rivers Logone and Chari bank Protection. - Construction project of the hydroelectric dam of - SAWA Beach project in Douala. - Cameroon-Nigeria Power Interconnection Project  and industries: (Garoua-Yola); - Iron mining project at Mbalam including the construction - Project for the Rehabilitation, building of electrical infrastructures and rural electrification; of 500 km of railway up to the deep water port of Kribi; - Construction project of mini-hydroelectric centers for - Iron mining project at ; rural electrification; - Bauxite Exploitation project of Minimartap and of Fongo- - Project of development of solar energy for the electrification of 150 villages; Tongo;

 Road infrastructures: - Project of cobalt and nickel exploitation at Lomié - Construction of the highway Yaoundé-Douala;

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THE CAMEROONIAN COMMUNITY IN ITALY

- It is estimated at about 12,000 people including approximately 4.000 students. - The Cameroonian students’ community is the first African community and the fifth worldwide. - Fields of study or of specialization are: medicine (about 2800); engineering (about 400); architecture (about 300); pharmacy (about 150) and economics (about 120). - Some Cameroonian students receive training in management, law, communication and international cooperation. - Cameroonian workers in Italy are about 300 in number. They consist essentially of former students practicing as doctors, pharmacists, lawyers or business executives. - Other Cameroonians with precarious or irregular status operate in small jobs: labourers, domestic workers, mechanics, etc. The number is estimated at about 1.500.

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MIGRATION ISSUES

The Position of President Paul biya «... Population migration from the Third World, especially from Africa, driven by war or poverty, has become a serious concern for the countries of departure and destination. If nothing is done commensurate with the extent of the problem, it is likely that flows will continue to increase. The solution is obvious: we must promote the development of the countries of origin of migrants, which requires the implementation of a sort of Marshall Plan, more ambitious than the traditional models of official development assistance». Address to the Diplomatic Corps, on the occasion of New Year Wishes 2008

The Response of Italy and the European Union - Italy is at the forefront of the illegal immigration problem in Europe. - Each year, the country faces the massive influx of migrants from some countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and North Africa, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. trying to cross the Mediterranean from the Libyan coast to reach Europe (more than 140,000 migrants have arrived in Italy since January 1, 2015). - The human casualties are important. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), since the beginning of 2015, 1,800 migrants have died trying to cross the Mediterranean. - After yet another shipwreck in May 2015, Italy called on other members of the EU, urging them to finally seize the migration issue. - Europe has taken a series of measures to try to stem the phenomenon. - With the support of the Commission, relevant European agencies (European Support Office on asylum, Frontex and Europol), UNHCR, IOM and several NGOs (MSF, Save the Children), Italy started the implementation of the relocation mechanisms, from the hot spots on its territory (besides the Lampedusa, Trapani and Pozzallo centres, Italy shall open three more centres at Porto Empedocle, Augusta and Taranto).

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President Paul Biya’s Call for a global response against Boko Haram by the international community

In a speech to the diplomatic corps on January 8, against the Nigeria-based Islamist sect – Boko 2015, H.E Paul Biya requested for an international Haram. mobilisation to stop the barbaric acts of the Boko Haram terrorist group in Cameroon and Nigeria. He denounced the “baseless brutality” of the Boko Haram insurgents. Mr Ban KI-MOON suggested The Head of State emphasised on the need for a that there should be “an international and regional collective response by the international community, cooperation” to repress the activities of this group. especially the African Union and regional organisations, in order to tackle Boko Haram threats. He therefore made this famous declaration: The Peace and Security Council of the AU “Global threat, global riposte.” recommended the creation of a 7,500-man regional military force to combat the Islamist sect.

President Paul Biya’s appeal was immediately considered as it kick-started condemnations from Military experts moved into action with the holding the AU. Heads of State and Government, meeting of a meeting on February 5-7, 2015 in Yaounde. in Addis Ababa during the 24th AU Summit, The main agenda was the putting in place of the unanimously classified as horrible, terrorist attacks Rules of Engagement to guide the operations of the by Boko Haram. multinational joint task force against Boko Haram.

On her part, the AU Chairperson, Nkosazana Mindful of the resolutions taken at the 5th Meeting Dlamini-Zuma noted that Boko Haram constituted of Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministers’ of the an enormous threat on security and development Lake Chad Basin Commission and Benin, which to Nigeria, the region and the entire continent. took place in Niamey, Niger, on January 20, 2015, member countries decided to increase the number of troops to 8,700. The capital of Chad, Ndjamena, Consequently, Africa has an obligation to provide was chosen as headquarters of the aforementioned the necessary support to Member States of the Lake military taskforce. Chad Basin Commission and Benin, in conformity to the principles of African solidarity and unanimity for peace and security in the continent. On January 31, 2015, Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) met in Addis Madam Dlamini-Zuma pleaded for a “collective Ababa, Ethiopia in prelude to the 24th Summit of response” against Boko Haram. the AU and castigated the barbaric acts of Boko Haram on member countries of the Lake Chad The UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon welcomed Basin Commission. the AU’s drive to create a regional force to fight

1 The ECCAS leaders acknowledged the fraternal used to establish a sub-regional strategy to assist support from H.E Idriss DERBY ITNO, President Cameroon and Chad, which are witnessing Boko of the Republic of Chad, who sent an important Haram raids. contingent Chadian troops to join Cameroon fight the Boko Haram insurgents. Accordingly, Heads of State and Government of ECCAS adopted a proposition to hold an extraordinary session of COPAX in Yaounde on February 16, 2015. This Summit took place after They also took a decision to activate the appropriate a meeting of the COPAX Defence and Security mechanisms of the regional bloc such as the Mutual Commission on February 11-12, 2014 and the Assistance Pact of ECCAS member countries. COPAX Council of Defence Ministers on February The provisions of the Central African Peace and 14, 2015. Security Council (COPAX) Protocol were also

2 REPUBLIQUEDU CAMEROUN REPUBLIQUE OF CAMEROON Paix - Travail - Patrie Peace - Work- Fatherland ------CABINET CIVIL CABINET CIVIL ------Cellule de communication Communication unit DECLARATION OF YAOUNDE

BY MEMBER STATES OF THE COUNCIL FOR PEACE AND SECURITY OF CENTRAL AFRICA (COPAX) ON THE FIGHT AGAINST THE TERRORIST GROUP BOKO HARAM

We, Heads of State of the Member States of the Council associated with any specific religion, nationality, for Peace and Security of Central Africa (COPAX), meeting civilization or group; in Yaounde, Republic of Cameroon, on the occasion of the Extraordinary Conference of Heads of State of COPAX, 9. Referring to the various United Nations Resolutions devoted to the fight against Boko Haram; on terrorism and violent extremism, notably Resolution 2178 of 24 September 2014, adopted at the meeting of 1. Considering the Treaty establishing the Economic the United Nations Security Council devoted to threats Community of Central African States, signed in Libreville against international peace and security caused by acts (Republic of Gabon) on 18 October 1983; of terrorism;

2. Referring to the relevant provisions of the COPAX 10. Referring to Resolutions 2195 of 19 December 2014 Protocol and the Mutual Assistance Pact between and 2199 of 12 February 2015 of the United Nations ECCAS Member States, signed in Malabo on 24 Security Council, devoted respectively to terrorism February 2000; and organized trans-border crime, as well as to the condemnation of any form of financing of terrorism; 3. Concerned by the repeated and growing attacks of the terrorist group Boko Haram against the Republic of 11. Referring to the Communiqué of the 455th Meeting Cameroon, and the Republic of Chad; of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union at the level of Heads of State and Government on the 4. Taking into consideration the negative security, phenomenon of terrorism and violent extremism in economic, social and humanitarian consequences the Africa, held on 2 September 2014 in Nairobi; actions of this terrorist group have on the Republic of Cameroon and the Republic of Chad; 12. Referring equally to the Declaration of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the United Nations Standing Advisory 5. Taking into consideration also the fact that the Committee on Security Matters in Central Africa, countries concerned are compelled to divert substantial during their 39th Session held on 5 December 2014 in resources that were previously earmarked for their Bujumbura, in support of Cameroon and Chad in the economic and social development to the fight against fight against the terrorist group Boko Haram; this terrorist group; 13. Taking into to consideration the Conclusions of the 6. Considering the risk posed by this terrorist group Meeting of Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministers of Boko Haram to destabilize the entire Central African Member States of the Lack Chad Basin Commission Sub-region; (LCBC) and of Benin of 20 January 2015 in Niamey;

7. Aware of the need to rid Africa of the scourge of 14. Considering the Communiqué of the 484th Meeting terrorism and violent extremism that cannot be justified of the African Union Peace and Security Council of 29th under any circumstance; January 2015 in Addis Ababa on the terrorist group 8. Noting that terrorism cannot, and should not, be Boko Haram;

1 15. Building on the Conclusions of the Consultation 24. Urge the International Community to maintain and of Heads of State and Government of ECCAS on the increase its multifaceted support for the fight against terrorist group Boko Haram, held on 31 January 2015, the terrorist group Boko Haram; on the sidelines of the 24th Ordinary Session of the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the 25. Appeal to the United Nations and all the stakeholders African Union: involved in the resolution of the crisis in Central Africa, to speed up the political and national reconstruction 16. Strongly condemn the terrorist actions of Boko process so as to enable the Central African Republic Haram in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger; to have defence and security forces to fully control its entire territory and prevent the country from being used 17. Equally condemn the financing and any form of as a fall-back and resupply area for the terrorist group support to the terrorist group Boko Haram; Boko Haram;

18. Equally condemn the unjustifiable ambitions of this 26. Mandate the Secretary-General of the Economic terrorist group to establish an “Islamic Caliphate” in the Community of Central African States (ECCAS) to: Lake Chad area, thereby tending to challenge national boundaries in the area; a) develop, by the end of March 2015, in collaboration with the States concerned, a plan for political-diplomatic 19. Support all initiatives taken by the Lake Chad Basin actions, logistical support, b) set up, in this regard, Commission, the African Union and the International within the Secretariat General, a Special Fund in view of Community in seeking solutions to this problem, in carrying out activities in the Member States concerned; particular, the establishment of the Multinational Joint Force (MJF); c) maximise synergies with existing institutional partners and immediately start identifying partnership 20. Undertake to fully cooperate and at all levels with opportunities with international and local stakeholders the Economic Community of West African States that may come to support, technically and financially, (ECOWAS) in view of coordinating actions against the the actions of ECCAS Member States; terrorist group Boko Haram; d) sustain the link with the African Union in order to 21. Encourage in particular the Federal Republic guarantee its multifaceted support and ensure that it is of Nigeria to increase the synergies with the other in line with the MJF; countries of the Lake Chad Basin in the fight against the terrorist group Boko Haram; e) ensure, the follow-up of the implementation of this Declaration and submit to us on a constant basis a 22. Congratulate the Republic of Cameroon and the Report on the evolution of the security situation in Republic of Chad on their exemplary cooperation to the Lake Chad Basin, as well as on all the measures wipe out the terrorist group Boko Haram; undertaken in order to implement this Declaration.

23. Undertake to provide as soon as possible an active Done at Yaounde, 16 February 2015 and multifaceted support to Cameroon, Chad and any other Member State of the Community that will be affected by the actions of this terrorist group Boko Haram, in particular military, financial, logistic and humanitarian assistance;

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DEMOCRACY IN CAMEROON: A SOLID FOUNDATION

Cameroon under President Paul Biya ELECTIONS MANAGEMENT has undergone a number of democratic BODIES reforms, which have affected its electoral system, level of human rights and free- Prior to the advent of multiparty politics, doms, press freedom, and judicial system. the management of elections was in the hands of the Ministry of Territorial Adminis- ELECTIONS tration, which was highly criticized during the 1992 multiparty legislative and pre- Since 1982, when Paul BIYA came to sidential elections. This led to the crea- power, Cameroonians have been go- tion of the National Elections Observatory, verned by the choices that they have ONEL on 19 December 2000, whose lit- made and not by the dictates of an indivi- mus test also came with the management dual. At the level of presidential elections, of the 2002 elections, leading to amend- there have been popular consultations in ments on 22 Dec. 2003. The desire of the January 1984 and April 1988 under the government to provide Cameroon with a CNU and CPDM one-party democacra- truly independent body led to the creation cy. With the advent of multiparty politics of Elections Cameroon ELECAM on 29 in 1990, other presidential elections have December 2006, whose on baptism of fire been organized regularly in October 1992, came with the 2007 and 2011 elections. October 1997, October 2004, and October To ensure a level playing ground for all the 2011. actors, the Parliament enacted a law on 15 In the same vein, multi-candidate legis- December 2000 on the funding of the po- lative elections were held under the New litical parties during elections. In the same Deal in 1988, and since 1990, multipar- vein, the voting of Cameroonians abroad ty legislative elections have taken place became effective with the law of July 2011 in Cameroon in 1992, 1997, 2004, 2007, and its Decree of application of August and 2012. On the other hand, multiple-list 2011. Consequently, during the October municipal elections have taken place in 2011 presidential elections, some 26,000 Cameroon under the CPDM in 1987, and Cameroonians the world over voted out of followed by multiparty elections in 1996, the 7.5 million voters, making 3.1% of the 2002, 2007, and 2012. entire electorate. In the USA for instance, there were 123 voters in Washington DC Cameroon’s electoral experience marked and 57 in the New York polling stations in a major progress with the putting place of which President Biya won by a 83.3% and the 100-seat Senate on 27 February 2013 78% respectively. whose elections were conducted 14 April 2014 for 70 seats by a college of 10,636 members from the 360 municipal councils. HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREDOMS legal protections. Cameroon is one rare country in continental Africa to boast of a Human rights are commonly understood very vibrant and multifaceted press with as «inalienable fundamental rights to no taboo subjects discussed. Cameroon which a person is inherently entitled sim- today has over 600 private newspaper and ply because she or he is a human being». cyber titles including 6 dailies, 98 private Human rights are thus conceived as broadcast channels and 19 private broad- universal (applicable everywhere) and cast televisions, functioning alongside of- egalitarian (the same for everyone). These ficial media like the daily Cameroon Tri- rights may exist as natural rights or as le- bune and the Cameroon Radio Television, gal rights, in both national and interna- CRTV. The ethical aspects of this press tional law. In Cameroon, the constitution freedom are ensured by a regulatory body, of the Republic enshrines the rights and the National Communications Council. freedoms of every citizen. The National Commission of Human Rights and Free- Power-Sharing and Appeased doms of Cameroon was set up to ensure Democracy the protection and regularity of the rights of Cameroonians, their social, cultural and An important feature of Cameroon’s demo- political leanings notwithstanding. This, cracy today is the principle of power-sha- together with the desire of the government ring. Although the country has 254 poli- to ensure the rights of citizens accounts tical parties, less than five have seats in for the freedom that Cameroonians enjoy Parliament or control councils. Moreover, today. In Cameroon, gone are the days President Biya’s CPDM party has the of police harassments, of political impri- muscle to govern the country alone consi- sonments, of arbitrary arrests and other dering its excessive majority in the Par- human rights violations. liament. However, for purposes of shared responsibility and power-sharing,, the PRESS FREEDOM president has opted for collective gover- nance through coalitions of parliamentary Freedom of the press or freedom of the and non-parliamentary Opposition. media is the freedom of communication More importantly, since December 2010, and expression through mediums inclu- Cameroon has entered into a phase of ding various electronic media and publi- appeased democracy with constant dia- shed materials. While such freedom most- logue between the leaders of the ruling ly implies the absence of interference from party and the leading Opposition Party, the an overreaching state, its preservation SDF. is sought through constitutional or other