CAMEROON'S PM REVEALING ON GRC'S GOVERNANCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 YAOUNDE 000431 SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/C STATE PASS USAID COMMERCE FOR ITA K BURRESS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/12/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL KCOR CM SUBJECT: CAMEROON'S PM REVEALING ON GRC'S GOVERNANCE PROBLEMS REF: A. YAOUNDE 396 ¶B. YAOUNDE 370 ¶C. YAOUNDE 367 Classified By: Political Officer Tad Brown for Reasons 1.4 b and d. ¶1. (C) Summary. In a May 12 meeting with the Ambassador, Cameroonian Prime Minister Ephraim Inoni professed ignorance of President Biya's agenda for the coming months and dismissed Biya's claim--made to the Ambassador last month (ref b)--that the Senate would be set up before the end of the year, saying "we are not ready and cannot get ready in the next six months." The Government of Cameroon (GRC) is moving ahead with plans to secure and development the Bakassi Peninsula, but decisions will increasingly be driven by the approaching presidential elections, currently scheduled for ¶2011. Inoni was excited to discuss the new U.S. administration and his planned visit to Washington and Atlanta later this month, but seemed tired and almost hopeful that he might not be asked to stay on in a long-anticipated cabinet shuffle. End summary. The GRC: Playing Without a Play-book -------------- ¶2. (C) Inoni was interested to hear the Ambassador's read-out of the mood in Washington and was animated in expressing his excitement about the Obama presidency. The Ambassador noted that President Biya had recently returned (on May 10) from a protracted stay in Geneva and asked about Biya's likely priorities in the coming months. Inoni thought about the question for a moment and replied flatly, "I do not have any idea what will be on his (Biya's) mind." Asked about the persistent rumors of a cabinet shuffle, Inoni said he had learned to ignore them, saying, "someone is always coming to tell me I should make my plans to move on" and "If I had to go, that wouldn't be so bad." He predicted the shuffle, whenever it comes, will not be as significant as many people predicted because it is "too close to elections," presumably referring to the presidential elections scheduled for 2011. The Long-Awaited Senate May Wait a Little Longer -------------- ¶3. (C) Inoni said the GRC would not set up the Senate in ¶2009. (Note. The 1996 Constitution called for the creation of a Senate, but the relevant provisions have not been implemented. End note.) When the Ambassador pointed out that Biya recently told her the Senate would be set up in 2009 (ref b),Inoni insisted, "we are not ready and cannot get ready in the next six months" to carry out the process needed, which is a combination of Presidential nominations and indirect elections by regional councils. Inoni said the newly established Elections Commission (ELECAM) was beginning operations, but that there was little remaining from the National Elections Observatory (ONEL) that ELECAM replaced, and that a Presidential decree would be necessary to formally "enact" the transition from the now-defunct ONEL to ELECAM. Bakassi: Security and Development -------------- ¶4. (C) Inoni said the GRC is moving ahead with plans to secure and develop the Bakassi Peninsular. He said local administrative officers--prefets and sous-prefets--were in place and overseeing development efforts, including road construction. Inoni said the Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR) was effectively taking over security for the region, despite increasing resentment from the Ministry of Defense (who is losing authority and resources to the BIR, which is outside its command) and continued resistance from the Government of France, which has traditionally supported Cameroon's regular armed forces. Even the Little Things... -------------- ¶5. (C) Thanked by the Ambassador for his role in securing travel orders for Cameroonian police officers participating in USG-sponsored training (ref a),Inoni expressed his disbelief that the Presidency had failed to take action on something as simple as travel orders. Inoni said only Biya himself can approve such travel; even Secretary General at YAOUNDE 00000431 002 OF 002 the Presidency Laurent Esso is unable to approve travel for security officials. Esso is angry that Inoni had gone directly to Biya on the matter, Inoni complained, adding that Esso and "the rest of them" (at the Presidency) are so slow they are incapable of getting anything done. Albatross -------------- ¶6. (C) As the meeting came to an end, Inoni asked the Ambassador if she had heard about the recent arrest of former Cameroonian Ambassador to the U.S. Jerome Mendouga. Note. Mendouga was arrested April 15 on allegations that he embezzled funds intended for the GRC's purchase of a Boeing aircraft (ref c). Press reports speculate that Inoni is also implicated in the affair, known as "the Albatross Affair," though Inoni has professed his innocence. End note.) The Ambassador, taken aback that Inoni would raise the issue, provided a noncommittal response that she was aware of the matter. Inoni's demeanor changed dramatically, giving the appearance he was more troubled than he was letting on. Comment: No End to the Governance Woes -------------- ¶7. (C) Just when we believed ourselves finally inured to Cameroon's poor governance, the Prime Minister is unable to muster even a fabricated explanation of the GRC's agenda for the coming months. It seems Inoni himself has become disillusioned with Biya's promises, and perhaps with good reason. Biya has repeatedly failed to deliver on his promised timelines, even those delivered in our private meetings with him. If Inoni is right, that Biya is likely to become more conservative in the run-up to national elections, there is little reason to be optimistic about improved governance. Bakassi may be a welcome bright spot, but the region's security is managed by Israeli security contractors outside of the normal chain of command, not exactly a victory of Cameroonian governance. Cameroonians may take comfort that their problems--governance, security, economic--are not as bad as others in the region, but from our perspective, Cameroon's persistent underperformance is nothing to be proud of. End comment. GARVEY