CAMEROON'S NORTH: POOR AND FEELING NEGLECTED

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 YAOUNDE 001417 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CM EAGR ECON PGOV SENV PINR KISL KPAO SUBJECT: CAMEROON'S NORTH: POOR AND FEELING NEGLECTED ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The Ambassador's recent orientation trip to Cameroon's North and Far North provinces revealed a region of poverty, insecurity and perceived political neglect. Local officials, traditional leaders, NGO representatives, businessmen and others stressed the impact of desertification and climate change. When asked about Cameroon post-President Biya, northerners predicted a military coup or chaos. Cameroon's most populous region, the north feels different from the rest of the country -- blisteringly hot, arid and rocky, and more Islamic (although Christianity is still dominant). The Ambassador's visit generated significant media attention and helped reinforce ties to this remote region. End summary. Poverty -------------- ¶2. (U) Contacts described the northern provinces as extremely poor (note: Ambassador visited two of the three provinces referred to as The Grand North - the third province is Adamaoua). There is little industry or new agricultural investment in the North or Far North, leaving few employment opportunities. The north has cattle and dry-weather agricultural products like peanuts, wheat, corn and cotton, though interlocutors complained that their cotton exports were being hurt by U.S. subsidies. Education and health facilities are in very bad shape. According to the Bishop of Maroua, poorly demarcated land leads to frequent local disputes and undermines agricultural productivity. ¶3. (U) The region has several good national parks and ecotourism potential, supported by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the government (GRC),though this is undermined by poor roads and the region's fragile ecology. The WWF and others were concerned about desertification, serious water shortages, and what they saw as the major negative impact of climate change on the ecology of the region. Local governments and groups like the U.S. NGO Winrock International are fighting back with tree plantings. Although arid during the dry season (nine months of the year),the region is often flooded during the rainy season. Weather extremes and locust invasions threaten the region's food sustainability. Politically Neglected -------------- ¶4. (U) Northerners feel neglected politically as well. Contacts in the northern provinces said that because former President Amadou Ahidjo as well as those implicated in the 1984 coup attempt came from the north, Cameroon's current President, Paul Biya, largely ignores the region. Perhaps as a result, there are many opposition political parties active in the north. However, parliamentary seats in the region are divided between the ruling CPDM and its coalition partner, the smaller UNDP (National Union for Democracy and Progress). ¶5. (U) Banditry is a major problem, especially near the borders with Nigeria, Chad and CAR; many of the bandits come from neighboring countries to attack relatively wealthy local cattle herders. Northerners have a favorable view of Nigeria but admit that there is significant smuggling across the long, porous border. Many Nigerians and Chadians who entered illegally now live side by side with local populations. Contacts confirmed that corruption is endemic in the north (like elsewhere in the country). Many complained about serious irregularities in the July legislative elections and a range of human rights problems. Changing the Constitution -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Ambassador asked many interlocutors whether they thought President Biya would change the constitution to remain in power after 2011 -- a significant, ongoing national debate. The answer was invariably yes, if Biya is healthy, he will change the constitution to stay on. Contacts believed there was substantial opposition to changing the constitution but average Cameroonians are reportedly afraid to oppose Biya. One supporter of the ruling CPDM saw hope for reform from within the party. Many of our contacts across the spectrum believed that when Biya is gone, either the military will take over or the country will collapse into chaos. Comment -------------- ¶7. (U) The trip generated major press coverage, including a YAOUNDE 00001417 002 OF 002 stop at the American Corner in Garoua (where we plan to launch a Virtual Presence Post soon),a Peace Corps HIV/AIDS bike ride, and a visit to Cameroon's impressive national veterinary laboratory. Ambassador also toured the AES/Sonel hydropower plant, a large U.S. investment in the region. Journalists asked the Ambassador about some typical issues -- corruption, democracy, impressions of the north -- but also about issues of more regional interest such as cotton subsidies and international climate change. In addition to broadening our public outreach, the trip strengthened ties to the Muslim community, in meetings with local Muslim leaders and Muslim women. Most of all, perhaps, the trip reinforced our ties to a large region which borders unstable neighbors and feels neglected by the rest of the country. GARVEY