CAMEROON FOREIGN MINISTER EXPLAINS BIYA'S MOTIVES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 YAOUNDE 000359 SIPDIS SIPDIS PARIS AND LONDON FO AFRICA WATCHERS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/11/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR ASEC KDEM PHUM CM SUBJECT: CAMEROON FOREIGN MINISTER EXPLAINS BIYA'S MOTIVES ON CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE REF: A. YAOUNDE 346 ¶B. YAOUNDE 329 AND PRIOR Classified By: Pol/Econ Officer L. Wahid for reasons 1.4 (B/D) ¶1. (C) Summary: Cameroon's Minister of External Relations, Henri Eyebe Ayissi, asked to speak with Charge d'Affaires on April 9 to present the government's official position on recent "major events in the life of Cameroon," specifically, the constitutional revisions currently in process (reftels) and the recent violent civil unrest. Ayissi's core message: President Biya was responding to popular demand by proposing the constitutional amendments, including that removing term limits; the changes were essential to maintaining political stability in Cameroon; and the changes were also designed to ensure a smooth transition of presidential power. On the civil unrest, Ayissi said the February riots were "a violation of law" but that peaceful demonstrations would be tolerated. Ayissi also provided an update on the government's plans to implement the law requiring a new, independent elections body. The meeting lasted nearly 30 minutes, with Ayissi using up most of that time for his presentation. Broadcast media and photo journalists covered the Charge's arrival and departure but there were no reporters present. End summary. ¶2. (C) Cameroon's National Assembly on April 10 approved a controversial constitutional revision which, among other things, eliminates presidential term limits (ref A). On April 9, in addition to Charge, Foreign Minister Ayissi called in the Ambassadors of China, Japan, Russia, and Switzerland, as well as the British High Commissioner and the Papal Nuncio, delivering the same message. On April 8, the Minister discussed the constitutional revisions with the African diplomatic corps and with the Ambassadors of Saudi Arabia and Germany and the Canadian High Commissioner. Government television and press reported, without substantive comment, on the parade of visitors to the Ministry. CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM, THE CAMEROON WAY -------------- ¶3. (C) In his April 9 meeting, Ayissi told the Charge that it was important for the government (GRC) to share information about the constitutional revision so that "all witnesses understood the process." (Note: quotes are ;unofficial translations; Ayissi spoke entirely in French.) It was "not news," he said, that the government had submitted the constitutional revision to the National Assembly. The text had passed through the Committee and would be adopted, he said, at the National Assembly's Plenary Session on either April 10 or 11 (note: it was approved on April 10). He recounted that President Biya had received many messages from the people urging him to revise the Constitution, and that the President needed to respond to those demands. Since the President's New Year's Eve speech, he added, there had been significant debate, with some commentators arguing that Article 6.2 (presidential term limits) should not be revised, and others advocating for revising the Constitution, including article 6.2. Ayissi said there had also been open discussions on whether to revise the constitution via the Assembly (Parliament) or through a referendum, and about whether to create a vice presidential position. In the end, he asserted, the GRC had decided to revise the Consitution, including article 6.2, through the Parliament and had opted not to create a vice presidential position. ¶4. (C) Ayissi stressed that the constitutional revision was not done specifically for President Biya, but instead in the national interest of the country. He said that the constitutional revision guaranteed the "continued functioning of the State at the end of the presidential mandate or if the President is no longer able to carry out his mandate." He added that it was commonly believed that continued constitutional uncertainty could endanger the country, as was the case with Cameroon's neighbors. He told the Charge that should the President become incapable of running the country, the new provisions would empower the interim president (after consultations with the yet-to-be-created Constitutional Council) to dismiss any Minister impeding presidential elections; however, s/he would not be able to modify the Constitution. YAOUNDE 00000359 002 OF 002 ELECAM, SENATE -------------- ¶5. (C) Regarding the creation of the new, independent elections body, Elections Cameroon (ELECAM),Ayissi said the GRC had begun consultations with civil society and political parties represented in the National Assembly. It would be for the country's political parties to present candidates for President, and then for the the nation's citizens to choose from among those candidates. It was the decision of the ruling CPDM party, and for the citizens, to decide whether Biya would run in the next presidential elections, he said. ¶6. (C) As with the Constitutional Council, the Senate has not yet been created, as required under the 1996 constitution. The constitutional revisions passed April 10 address the term for senators. Ayissi told the Charge that if the regional councils -- also yet to be created -- charged with electing Senators are not in place, municipal bodies will elect senators. Ayissi told us there was no timetable for implementation of the constitution's provision requiring a Senate, saying it could happen "perhaps in the next couple of months," and that the Constitutional Council "will certainly be created before 2011." MORE DEMONSTRATIONS? -------------- ¶7. (C) Ayissi conceded that there might be further demonstrations and characterized these "as a normal exercise of the people's will." However, the government hoped that the country would remain calm. Ayissi said the GRC insisted that all groups and citizens must respect the country's laws and institutions. He asserted that the "February riots were a violation of the law and reprehensible, and we will guarantee the security of the diplomatic corps and our citizens." In perhaps a not-so-subtle message that we should keep our opinions to ourselves, he then closed with: "Your behavior plays a role in consolidating respect for the law." ¶8. (C) Comment. The Foreign Minister's assertion that there was a full public debate leading to the removal of presidential term limits is a stretch; this was President Biya's decision. Many interlocutors have told us that a significant number of CPDM members of the National Assembly were opposed to the measure, but felt they did not have a truly free choice. Still, the action was taken, on paper at least, in accordance with Cameroon's laws and procedures. Moreover, some of the revisions will help improve any transition of presidential power, and it is entirely possible that Biya will not seek another term. Looking forward, we will continue to focus and engage the GRC on the importance of establishing transparent institutions that will ensure a free and fair election in 2011, and on encouraging greater respect for the role of a free media and the right of the people to demonstrate peacefully against their government. End comment. NELSON