"No" To Government Ban on Civil Society Activities
The Cameroon government is determined to thwart efforts by the civil society to make any meaningful contribution to the building of democratic institutions in the country. A colloquium organized on September 19 – 20 by the Network of NGOs and Associations in Cameroon was banned from holding by the Divisional Officer of Yaounde I, Coila Jean Claude on the pretext of “lack of sufficient reason for him to allow such event to take place”. Although unacceptable, this move did not come as a complete surprise. For more than a decade, the government has systematically rejected calls for transparency and accountability in government and has shunned all appeals for truly independent democratic institutions in the country.

The colloquium was a forum for civil society organizations to discuss modalities for the establishment of an Independent Electoral Commission to replace the government-preferred National Electoral Observatory, an ineffective and inefficient electoral body, conspicuously known for its lack of independence and transparency in conducting elections in Cameroon.

The prohibition order was a sharp contradiction to the previous administrative order authorizing the colloquium. Further, the ban contradicted the provisions of law N° 090/054 of 19 December 1990 laying down provisions on public meetings, which authorize administrative officials to annul a prior order for a public meeting three days before the scheduled event. This ban was only made known to the Organizing Committee of the colloquium on the eve of the event rendering the order null and void because it was in violation of the three days requirement provided by law.

The Divisional Officer’s order prohibiting the holding of the colloquium was being brandished by security forces to the swarm of NGOs representatives, the diplomatic corps, representatives of the international community, and members of the public who had all come to attend this constructive forum.  The security forces were staged in their numbers at the entrance of the Cameroon Chambers of Commerce, the venue of the event, effectively preventing access to the conference hall.

CCDHR is very concerned at the continuous suppression of democratic voices by the Cameroon government. By frustrating civil society efforts, the government was effectively withdrawing its promise made during the Second Inter-Ministerial Meeting and the Commonwealth Experts Group held in Yaounde on June 20 - 22, 2006 on the creation of an independent electoral body. During the consultation, the government made it clear that it will consult with civil society organizations and political parties in the setting up of an independent electoral body in Cameroon. It was against this background that civil society organizations decided to mobilize to come up with constructive and meaningful recommendations for the establishment and functioning of such an institution that was pivotal to the democratic culture in Cameroon.

CCDHR is concerned that the government may arbitrarily move ahead on the process by consulting with “ghost” civil society organizations, as have been the case in the past. CCDHR is also alarmed that an Independent Electoral Commission by name only, that is, without effective authority to freely execute the mandate of a truly independent commission may be indicative of government’s unwillingness to allow the conduct of free and fair elections in Cameroon.

CCDHR is calling on the Cameroon government to refrain from actions aimed at stalling activities of civil society organizations. Civil society organizations are the voices of the people and should not be regarded merely as critics of the government. The government must change its perspective, attitude, and treatment of civil society organizations and their officials. It is the role of civil society organizations to participate as independent players in the building of a sustainable democracy in Cameroon and they must be accorded the opportunity to operate as such.

CCDHR is also calling on civil society organizations in Cameroon not to relent on the democratization effort in Cameroon. NGOs must stand strong, working hard independently and collectively with resolve in order to overcome the numerous impediments by the government to the democratization process in Cameroon.