Dissent violently repressed in Cameroon
Security forces quelling demonstrations against the rising cost of living and low wages in Cameroon, February 2008.Cameroon's government has routinely used killings and torture to repress political dissent, according to a new Amnesty International report.
[London - Royaume-Uni] - 29-01-2009 (Amnesty International)
During a 10-year spell of gross human rights violations, Cameroonian security forces have habitually used excessive and unnecessary force – and the perpetrators have almost always enjoyed impunity.
“Political opposition is not tolerated in Cameroon,” said Tawanda Hondora, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Africa. “Any dissent is suppressed through either violence or abuse of the legal system to silence critics.”
In late February 2008, security forces killed as many as 100 civilians during demonstrations against the escalating cost of living. Amnesty International has received photographs and testimonies suggesting that some of the victims were shot at point blank range, without any effort made to arrest them.
“Unfair trials, intimidation and harassment, including death threats, are routinely used by the authorities to quash criticism from politicians, human rights defenders and journalists,” said Tawanda Hondora.
“The silencing of the media is particularly worrying. If a journalist is deemed too critical of the government they are silenced -- and radio and TV stations are shut down.”
Journalist Michel Mombio was arrested in September 2008 and spent 10 days in custody. He was then transferred to the central prison in the capital, Yaoundé, and charged with fraud and blackmail. He was still in custody without trial in January 2009.
Journalists covering street protests in February 2008 were assaulted by members of the security forces. The victims included a cameraman from Canal 2 International television, who was beaten and arrested and then had his camera destroyed. He was only freed after soldiers forced him to pay them.
The report, Cameroon: Impunity underpins persistent abuse, also exposes the appalling prison conditions in Cameroon. Jails suffer from inadequate food and medical care, as well as overcrowding.
Minors are often held together with adults and there is inadequate separation of males from females, which has led to sexual and other forms of violence and exploitation. Prisons are reported to be infested with rats and cockroaches and some inmates have resorted to sleeping in the toilets for lack of a place to rest.
Cameroon: Impunity underpins persistent abuse
© 2009 Amnesty International
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ACDIC had published its investigation showing that ministry of agriculture's officials, current and former misters and members of the ruling class had embezzled donated 150 tractors from India intended to help Cameroonian farmers. Pictures of the tractors parked at the offenders' properties were released
Below: A bloody repression by the gendarmerie police of student riot at the University of Buea.
This is, among so many cases of abuses by Cameroonian authorities all covered with impunity by Paul Biya’s Regime, a typical case of corruption and embezzlement of public funds. Whether a law exists or not in the domain, any public official holding any kinds of power would create his/her own fief with arbitrary rules aimed at building individual fortunes. The power to arrest an individual or to seize a property is the ultimate means to the office holder’s access to any wealth desired. This is because the appointment of a public official by Paul Biya is always a reward for the beneficiary’s demonstrated support to his regime either in terms of defrauding elections or of voicing indefectible support to the head of State and combat against the opposition. Such a public official considers his/her public position as his share of the “national cake.” Obviously to achieve his/her ends, innocent individuals are terrorized, brutalized, harassed, and constrained to pay taxes and charges according to the office holder’s whims and greed level.
Concerns on corruption in the Meme Divisional Delegation of Transport and in the Kumba City Council
Meeting with Meme Divisional Delegation of transport
Date: 14 January 2008
Present: Leanne Johansson, GCI intern from South Africa
Ntebo Ebenezar, GCI Administrative Assistant
Mr. Mumah Johnet, Meme Divisional Delegate of Transport.
Meeting with Secretary General of Kumba Council
Date: 15 January 2008
Present: Leanne Johansson, GCI intern from South Africa
Ntebo Ebenezar, GCI Administrative Assistant
Mr. Ivo Makoge Charles, Secretary General of Kumba City Council
GCI Concerns
Over the past day, GCI has been receiving complains regarding the impoundment of vehicles by the Meme Divisional Delegation of transport and the Kumba council. Vehicle owners who did not possess all necessary documentation were asked to pay a fine and obtain the correct certification before being able to retrieve their vehicles from the council.
While GCI recognizes the need for road safety and the necessity of these documents in ensuring such safety, the organization was concerned with four main issues that related to the embezzlement of public money. These were as follows:
1. Vehicle owners without regular papers had their vehicles impounded in the Council premises and they were asked to go get regular papers. One such document is the road worthiness certificate. They were required to pay the sum of 5000 CFA to the transport delegation for road worthy certificates. However, vehicle owners complained that, despite having paid this 5000 CFA, they were issued receipts for only 1000 CFA.
2. In order to obtain a road-worthy certificate, vehicle owners are meant to travel to Ombe and do the necessary test there. However, vehicle owners were able to pay a bribe (usually of about 5000 CFA) and the office in Kumba would issue it to them instead. They transport delegate in Kumba confirmed to us that his delegation in Kumba is not competent to issue the certificate and that the certificate can only be obtained in Ombe for the Southwest Region.
3. Vehicle owners also informed us that after regularizing their documents, they are requested to pay another sum of 5000 CFA to the transport delegation for a “release order” that ordered the Secretary General of the Kumba Council to release the impounded car. The transport delegation issues no receipts for the fees collected
4. Once armed with the regular papers and a release orders, vehicle owners are required to pay the council an additional 25 000 CFA impoundment fee in order to receive their vehicles. After some argument, however, this fee was reduced to 10 000 CFA. Some vehicle owners paid this reduced fee and received their vehicles. They received no receipt for this payment and we are concerned that this money is not accounted for in the state treasury.
GCI visited the divisional delegation of transport and met with the divisional delegate, Mr. Muma Johnet about the first three concerns. We also met with the Secretary General, Mr. Makoge Ivo at the Kumba Council to discuss the last concern.
Official responses to GCI concerns
When we met with the divisional delegate of transport, we explained our concerns to him and requested a formal statement in order for us to include his statement in our report. His responses to the first two of the above issues were as follows:
1. He confirmed that the penalty fee for out-dated or a lack of documents was 5000 CFA for taxis. This penalty fee is paid only by those vehicle owners who have been caught on the street and not by those who visit the office to update their documentation themselves. He denied that officials were issuing 1000 CFA receipts for payments of 5000 CFA.
2. He admitted that road-worthy certificates are meant to be obtained in Ombe, but that people will often offer the divisional delegation money in order for them to obtain the documentation in Kumba. When asked whether they accepted this money, the delegate admitted that they do. They accept payments from between 1000 CFA to 10 000 CFA. He confirmed that no receipts are issued for this payment. GCI asked the delegate where this money goes to. At this point, he said that we were pushing him too far and he has the right to reserve that information. Clearly this money goes into the pockets of those who work at the transportation department and is not accounted for in the state treasury.
Other information: We also obtained all the official penalty payments from him for different vehicle categories. These are as follows:
- Truck: 14 310 CFA
- Private vehicle: 9540 CFA
- Van/Pick-up truck: 9540 CFA
- Bus: 11 925 CFA
- Taxi: 4900 CFA
We visited the Secretary General of the Kumba Council, Mr. Makoge Ivo to question him about the third issue. His response was as follows:
3. The entire system regarding the impoundment of vehicles was initiated by the divisional delegation of transport. The council only gave them the land on which to impound vehicles. Even the impoundment fee was set by the divisional delegation of transport. Initially, this fee was set at 25 000 CFA. When people started complaining, the Secretary General intervened and lowered the price to 15 000 CFA. However, over the festive period, this fee was again raised to 25 000 CFA. In the past week, people complained again, and the council intervened, setting the price at 10 000 CFA.
The Secretary General, however, also stated that he occasionally intervenes on the behalf of some vehicle owners whose vehicles have spent less than one day impounded. In these cases, he will often allow the vehicle owner to retrieve their vehicle without paying the impoundment fee. However, these are cases which usually involve people of status, such as members of parliament. There is no set law or rule regarding this practice and it is conducted at the discretion of the Secretary General.
According to the Secretary General, at the end of each week, the money collected is split 50/50 between the council and the divisional delegation of transport. The divisional delegation of transport currently has a shortage of staff and, in order to implement this system, has had to hire ad-hoc staff, whose salaries are paid by this impoundment money.
The Secretary General admitted that no receipt is issued for the impoundment fee. This money is not accounted for in the state treasury.
Remaining Concerns
After having spoken to both the Secretary General of the Kumba Council, Mr. Makoge, and the divisional delegate of transport, Mr. Muma, GCI remains concerned about the embezzlement of funds gained from the impoundment of vehicles.
1. There is a discrepancy between the statements given to us by vehicle owners who have had their vehicles impounded and the divisional delegate. While vehicle owners claim that they received receipts for 1000 CFA for payment fines of 5000 CFA, the delegate denied this. We have copies of the 1000 FCFA receipts from the transport office, and we are very concerned about this allegation.
2. We are concerned that certain documentation, such as road-worthy certificates, which can only be obtained upon a formal road-worthy test, are being handed out illegally at the Kumba office, for bribes of between 1000 CFA to 10 000 CFA.
No receipts are issued and this money is not accounted for.
3. We are also concerned about the unreceipted 5000 CFA fee the transport delegation demand and collects from vehicle owners before issuing them a release order. This money remains unaccounted for and there are no records of the sums collected so far. We fear the money goes into the pocket of the divisional delegate and his collaborators rather than the state treasury.
4. After having paid the necessary penalties and obtained all necessary documentation, vehicle owners should technically be allowed to retrieve their vehicles without further cost. The system of paying impoundment fees as it currently exists is exploitative. Furthermore, the impoundment fee constantly fluctuates from between 10 000 CFA and 25 000 CFA at the whim of the council or the Secretary General. There is no fixed law or rules regarding it. The Secretary General also intervenes to reduce the cost in some cases, on his own discretion, which could be considered favouritism and does not uphold the right of all citizens to be treated equally. Finally, no receipts are offered for the payment of impoundment fees, meaning that this money is not accounted for in the state treasury.
A Report by the non-profit organization:
Global Conscience Initiative
First floor, Storey Building Opp High Court
Krammer Avenue, Kumba
PO Box 00269 SWP., Cameroon
Tel: 237-3335 4065 (Cell) 237-77 67 25 08
Fax: 237-33354065
Email: gci269@gmail.com gci@gcicameroon.org
Website: www.gcicameroon.org
©2003 The African Independent, Inc. All rights to republication are reserved.
