The IIJD is an independent, not-for-profit international organization that actively advocates tackling the root causes of poverty by addressing systemic weaknesses, reforming institutions of governance, building capacity and empowering communities. With programs and initiatives based on participation, empowerment and sustainability, we treat not just the symptoms of poverty, underdevelopment, and insecurity, but confront their underlying causes. Read more....
We appreciate your support.
 
To make a tax deductible donation, please click here.
 
 
Check out our NEW online marketplace.
 
News and Publications
The IIJD Newsletter:
   
Cameroon: Voices of Mounting Discontent Stifled as Democracy Teeters On the Brink of Extinction
Izabela Chmielewska and Emily Ravenscroft
March 7, 2008
Last week the situation in Cameroon reached boiling point. A day after the publication of "Cameroon: Democratic Dictatorship?" in the last newsletter, violent unrest erupted in Douala and spread throughout the western region of the country. Through the implementation of drastic policy measures and the use of the police, gendarme, and military forces, the government has increased the suppression of public protests against the constitutional amendment initiative that would allow President Biya to stand for elections again in 2011. The extreme force used to quell these demonstrations was used again last week following protests over rising gas prices that turned into impassioned protests against Biya and his ruling party, the RDPC.
Since the rise of strikes on Saturday, February 23rd in Douala, the nation's economic capital, at least 20 people were killed and 400 arrested, although unofficial reports state that the number of deaths is much higher in reality [1]. The "political rallies", although banned by the government in the Littoral Province, spread beyond Douala, the stronghold of Biya's opposition, reaching other parts of the country including the nation's capital, Yaoundé [2]. The cities were paralyzed for much of the week by the rising unrest. On February 27th in Yaoundé, armed soldiers raided the city's largest university (The Yaoundé University) and beat, injured, and threatened students with gunshots thereby creating "an atmosphere of guerilla warfare" as students described it [3]. The country was afflicted by disorder and cities were stagnated by rampant chaos. While the rioters created barricades of burning-tires and threw rocks at the police, the armed forces used water cannons, tear gas, and guns to disperse the protesters as they patrolled the streets [4]. Markets and schools were shut down, and looting and vandalism were rife [5]. Public transportation workers were protesting the high gas prices, and the people took to the streets to express their discontent with not only the increased cost of living, but also the government's failure to be accountable for and responsive to the concerns of Cameroonians, who clearly do support the two seven-years term limit, and are against the continuance of Biya's authoritarian rule [6].
 
 
Instead of peaceful negotiations for the collective good of the country and its people, the government has resorted to violent suppression of the movement and of the press in order to secure Biya's personal agenda. "What's happening in Cameroon has nothing to do with a simple strike against a rise in fuel prices," Joshua Osih, vice-president of the leading opposition party, Social Democratic Front (SDF), observes [7]. "It's the expression of multiple frustrations among the Cameroonian people. The trouble runs deep" stressed the SDF leader [8].
 
 
Biya tries to defend his crackdown on the young protesters by rhetorically stating that they are simply creating disorder by breaking the law and attempting to undermine his authority. The President steadfastly claims that the opposition is deliberately violating the rule of law and that its unlawful acts are executed in order to achieve what they have failed to attain through violence, rather than through the ballot box [9]. Ironically, it is precisely because the people are unable to express themselves through the ballot box that they are being forced to protest in such a manner on the streets. If the corruption and brutal suppression by this regime continue the troubles will only worsen in this country. Therefore, the IIJD calls upon the international community to act now, rather than continuing to support or to turn a blind eye to this tyrannical regime.
  
 
Paul Atanga Nji, the Minster in Charge of Special Duties to the Presidency, a dubious position in itself, claims that "the modification [of the constitution] is for general interest." In his words, "the message is that the President of the Republic wants what is good for Cameroonians. And when he takes a stance, Cameroonians should follow him, [as he] defines the policy of our nation, knows the timing [and] incarnates the institutions" [10].
 
 
In an article posted on the 17th Feb on allAfrica.com, the RDPC is cited as attacking the US ambassador to Cameroon for criticizing constitutional change, citing that many countries, including the United States, have changed their constitution. The IIJD very much advocates constitutional change if it is done to introduce a clear separation of power between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, and to establish accountability, transparency, and discipline within the government. Peaceful anti-Biya protests are legitimate calls for necessary change for which the government has purposely failed to provide an arena for negotiation, thus suppressing the voices within civil society and any chance for political progress.
  
 
A constitution should not be changed if it is to the detriment of democracy and good governance, but only if it is to ensure the independence of judicial branches of government, to ensure a free and fair legal system, to increase the transparency and accountability of all branches of government and to ensure the fundamental need for free, fair, and frequent elections. It should not be amended to increase one man's already iron grip over a country and its people: a grip which now is closing around the neck of Cameroon, stifling the ability of the people to live as they chose, to prosper, to develop and to freely express themselves.
 
 
This is why the amendment to article 6.2 should not occur and why we call upon the international community to apply pressure to this dictatorship to stop this from occurring. By continuing to provide financial aid to this regime, foreign governments and international financial institutions are only lining the pockets of corrupt government officials and paying for the brutal suppression of a people, smothering their calls for freedom and justice and precipitating the decline into poverty and misery. Action must be taken now.
  
 
The IIJD calls on the international community to take action in assisting the people of Cameroon in their struggle against tyranny and Paul Biya's undemocratic and repressive regime, as it should not be extended beyond the present tenure, as it has entrapped Cameroonians in poverty and repeatedly denied them due freedom. The entire structure of the Cameroonian justice system is rotten and needs to be pulled down and rebuilt again by the people who it should duly represent.
  
____________________________________________  

[2]  "Paul Atanga Nji: 'The Modification is for general Interest'."  Cameroon Tribune. 
[5] "Paul Atanga Nji: 'The Modification is for general Interest'."  Cameroon Tribune. 
[10] "Paul Atanga Nji: 'The Modification is for General Interest'." Cameroon Tribune.