Cameroon President Paul Biya
YAOUNDE, Nov – Cameroon’s democratisation process has suffered a serious setback this year after the government transferred elections management from the Ministry of Territorial Administration (MINAT) to the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) party of President Paul Biya, says the head of the European Commission delegation in Yaounde.
“We strongly applauded the government’s decision in 2006 to create an independent body Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) to manage elections in the country, believing that this would be the end of flawed polls that has almost resulted in social unrest many times, and a major step forward in the democratisation process,” Javier Puyol told a press conference in Yaounde on Friday.
“But we were very disappointed this year when the authorities appointed the 12 board members of ELECAM and 11 of them were members of the central committee and political bureau of the ruling party. In other words, this simply meant transfering the task of elections organisation from MINAT to one of the parties in contest, actually making it a player and referee at the same time. This was a missed opportunity to advance the democratisation process. This is regrettable. Its a pity. It is already a false start for the 2011 presidential poll which is just by the corner. That election has already lost its creadibility.”
The Cameroon government decided to create ELECAM as an independent electoral body in 2006 following persistent complains from the opposition, the civil society and the donor community that previous elections organised by MINAT since the country returned to multipartism in 1991, were grossly irregular and designed to favour the CPDM. The law creating the body stipulates clearly that members of its board “shall be designated from the midst of independent personalities of Cameroonian nationality, reputed for their stature, moral uprightness, intellectual honesty, patriotism, neutrality and impartiality.”
The move was widely acclaimed as a major step forward. Unfortunately, the spirits of Cameroonians, including militants of the ruling party themselves, were dampened when in May president Biya appointed only the big guns of his party – three members of the political bureau and five members of the central committee – as members of ELECAM. This has generated widespread condemnation from within the country and outside, with the main opposition Social Democratic Front (SDF) party already threatening “to do everything to ensure that the 2011 presidential poll does not hold.
Puyol said he understood Cameroonians’ frustrations with the electoral system and appealed to the authorities to do something to regain the people’s confidence in the process. Failure to do this, he said he foresees registration on the voter’s list and turn-out further declining and casting doubts over the legitimacy of those in authority.
“It is sad that Cameroon which has a population of close to 20 million inhabitants has never succeeded to register up to 5 million on the voter list. Things could be worst in the 2011 presidential election and that is not good for the country,” he stated.
Observers in the nation’s capital say the appointments only came to confirm Biya’s determination to be president of Cameroon for life. In April 2008, after 26 years of rule, Biya, using his party’s fraudulent majority in the National Assembly (157 of 180 seats), modified the constitution by suppressing the two-term mandate limit, which means he can run again for as many terms as he wants. The 76-year old Biya came to power in 1982 as the hand-picked successor of former head of state Ahmadou Ahidjo. He is today one of Africa’s longest serving rulers. (END)
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It is very reassuring that that the EU has observed that Cameroon has not had free fair and transparent elections since 1992.However these condemnations should be accompanied bycorresponding diplomatic pressure on the regime to use the BIOMETRIC DATA system of registration to inspire confidence and ward off voter apathy.
I think paul biya is the most stupid person in this world… i only fear of what might become of the innocent poor ones after the 2011 presidential election which he’s the winner already..just remain there and don’t die.. time shall tell.. foolish old man
These are the kind of leaders the African Union (AU), United Nations (UN) should expelled before time because at the end blood will spill in that country.Biya will win the election before polls so no need.
My advice to all Cameroonian is that no one should registre for the elections. Biya is the winner we know.
Bad leader if you can rule well step down and allow some one else to try . A country where every body goood . We hear from other countries how minister resign but in cameroon only Biya Paul can terminate the office of any minister. Which means all minister in cameroon are perfect , then why is the country still behind?
cameroons problem is not the president its the people because they are all children who dont kmow their rights until they grow up as adult to know what belongs to them then can they stand to demand for it as long as they remain children even the next president will take advantage of thier ignorance.you can only become an adult if you know your bible.
The 12 board members of ELECAM that were appointed are not strangers to Cameroonians. They are all well known for their moral rectitude, their sense of honour and engagement in serving the population. It is a handpicked group of Cameroonians, who have as main objective to lead Cameroon through safe and transparent elections. We do not need any opinions from EU concerning the management of our elections. If they want let them send supervisors to assist during the elections.
The Parliamenterians decided to extend Biya’s term and they represent the people. So if the people of Cameroon are not satisfy with the constitution or ELECAM, they should stand up now and tell the Government to make the required changes before the coming election. Secondly, all the Parliamenterians who went against the will of the very people that they represent to be held accountable bythe people. To fix the system, we have to start by fixing the parliameterians who are considered as law makers.
I think Cameroon’s problem goes beyond blaming individuals.It can be tracked as far as looking at the bigger picture of democracy(globalization)which has turned African “states” as mere gate keepers to open the doors at the knocks of the imperialist who have intentionally and deliberately held Africa under captivity.The devil we knew(colonization) was better than the neocolonialism we are failing to confront.The questions to be asked are:What is a state suppose to mean :Are our African “state” functioning in that dimension? If not what has gone wrong? What has to be done to right these wrongs?African states are states just to the extent that they are internationally recognized but not a state to the extent that they can fulfill the requirements of the states in respect to how they function.How then can our leaders be true to what they say on paper?
Oh! Africa,my beautiful continent how dare “they” call us poor,primitive,underdeveloped etc etc etc.Lies, lies, lies….they have manipulated us not to believe in our identity.We are strong,we are rich.They need us more than we need them.
Arise Africa and teach your people that which is the right thing to know.
how to be member and international elctoin supervision in cameroon for the 2011 presidential election?