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Cameroon: What Next?
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Cameroon Tribune (Yaoundé)
COLUMN
21 July 2008
Posted to the web 21 July 2008
Tche Irene Morikang
Cameroonians are now better informed of the Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), churches, security companies and even micro finance structures that exist within the confines of the law.
This follows the recent publication of lists of the legalised structures in the different domains by the supervisory ministries. Judging from the importance of the sectors involved, the decision to make known the names of those that should exist, is laudable. At least, it will enable the public to be informed and take wise decisions. However, sceptics have been quick to say it is abnormal for a Government, which is supposed to ensure that order reigns, to limit its action to that of an observer or, better still, an informant. The question therefore is: what next?
In effect, the publication of the list of recognised structures; be it in the education, health, finance or security sectors, can be considered as the first step towards repression. It is a pedagogic move; one aimed at putting an end to cacophony. And should serve as a reminder to those involved on the need to sit up. Above all, it is a warning that the arm of the law can fall. At any time. In which case, the government will not be termed "heartless". The publicising of the accepted organisations is also an eye-opener to members of the public who are always not-so-well informed about the administrative and legal status of those they deal with. And as such, expose themselves to untold danger.
Cases abound of people who have lost millions to illegal microfinance structures and find it hard to take administrative action. Firstly, because the microfinance agencies were never registered and, as such, never recognised. Secondly, because they often ended their operations without prior warning or indication as to where they moved to. At times, such structures simply swap names to avoid being followed up by customers whom they have duped.
The case of religious denominations is even more complex. Over the last couple of years, the country has been inundated by religious organisations. Difficult to know how many really exist. But what is certain now is that there are less than 50 legalised religious denominations in Cameroon. The majority therefore exist in illegally, most often with unclear motives.
We are also aware that in some of the sectors, such as that of security guards, the legislation came into force when most of the structures already existed. But the long period of "administrative tolerance" during which the structures were expected to conform to the law, is over. Today, 75 per cent of the security companies in the country operate unlawfully. The statistics are there to show: eight authorised, 16 with files pending and 75 operating in illegality. Conclusion: illegality is the norm here. And since it is difficult to control that which is illegal, such security structures recruit just anybody and set their own functioning rules. For example, most have recruited foreigners when the law states that only Cameroonian citizens are supposed to be promoters, leaders, or workers in such companies.
The government is aware of this and is bent on making sure that things change. Repression will soon begin. And since to be fore-warned is to be fore-armed, those involved will save themselves from embarrassment if they comply by the law. The government has the means to make sure that order reigns. Remember how it took the government just a matter of minutes to shut down radio stations that were existing in illegality?
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According to the Director of Political Affairs at the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation, Alexandre-Marie Yomo, control teams will soon be sent out to track down illegal security companies and close them up. In the case of churches, similar actions have also be envisaged. But in all this, the public has the power to change things. If people were to stick to legality by dealing with recognised structures only, there is no doubt that those who do not respect the law will be obliged to wrap up.
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