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Cameroon: European Union Sues for Assets Declaration, Credible Elecam
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The Post (Buea)
12 May 2008
Posted to the web 12 May 2008
Leocadia Bongben & Edith Wirdze
The European Union, EU, has recommended that for the fight against corruption to be effective, politicians should declare their assets.
It also sued for the credibility of officials to be appointed to head Elections Cameroon, ELECAM.The Ambassador and Chief of European Commission Delegation to Cameroon, Janvier Puyol, made the recommendation at a dinner on May 9, on the occasion of the European Day in Yaounde.
Taking advantage of this day of friendship and cooperation, Puyol emphasised on good governance and the fight against corruption in Cameroon as key conditions for development.
This, according to him, should be followed with better management of public funds and the amelioration of the business climate. He said despite some undeniable progress and what he termed "sensational episodes", much needs to be done to effectively purge the administrative, economic and social life of the country for it to benefit from its immense growth potential.
He lamented the inability to implement the 1996 Constitution and law on the declaration of assets which is an illustration of the ground to cover in the fight against corruption.
While stating that Cameroonians are yearning to have the taxpayers' money brought back, he said it depends on individual EU countries to ensure the transfer of stolen money stashed in foreign banks.
He, however, praised the level of dialogue in Cameroon compared to other countries.
Puyol stated that the EU is ready to help Cameroon but government must ameliorate the economy and development given that investors would not sink their money where there would not be returns.
Also, the EU Delegate emphasised the urgency of ameliorating the electoral system and improving on the quality of democratic participation as guarantee for a stable country.
Similarly, the EU hopes that the choice of ELECAM members would respond to the credibility of personalities with a spirit of neutrality and impartiality.
Understandably, the EU is making the recommendations as a prerequisite for development since it is heavily involved in much of Cameroon's development project. In this light, the European Union has financed road major road construction and rehabilitation works in the country.
Concerning the Economic Partnership Accord, EPA, which Cameroon signed with the EU, Puyol explained that Cameroon did so to preserve its exports such as banana without which it would have found itself in a tight position.
Following the argument by the civil society that EPA is against development, Puyol acknowledged that it is their role to caution countries to be careful.He stated that though Cameroon has signed the interim agreement, it is not full elimination of tariffs; thus, the opening of barriers is not immediate and that they chose which products to protect.
He dismissed the allegation that the fact that other countries in the sub-region have not signed the interim agreement does not mean disintegration in the region as negotiations are on with whole sub-region.
He argued that EPA in the sub-region would serve as an engine of integration and competition.
Journalism Award Announced
A journalism award on the theme "Human Rights and the European Union" was launched by the EC Chief of Delegation.Announcing the award, Puyol maintained that the initiative falls within the context of the "2008 European Union intercultural dialogue year" initiated by the European Commission Delegation in Cameroon in collaboration with the Belgian Consulate and the United Nations Regional Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, with the assistance of Brussels Airlines.
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The award is a week's stay in Brussels, working at the European Commission head quarters.
European Day is commemorated in remembrance of the Shuman Declaration from the French Foreign Minister who, in 1950, proposed a new form of political organisation for Europe including the creation of supranational authority above national sovereignties.
Among the dignitaries who attended the occasion were the Minister of Finance, Essimi Menye and SDF Scribe, Dr. Elizabeth Tamanjong.
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