PRIME MINISTER INONI ON ELECAM

C O N F I D E N T I A L YAOUNDE 000072

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/C

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2019
TAGS: CM PGOV PHUM PREL
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER INONI ON ELECAM

REF: YAOUNDE 28

Classified By: Ambassador Janet E. Garvey for reasons 1.4 (d) and (e)


1. (C) Summary: The Ambassador recently expressed concerns
about ELECAM to Prime Minister Ephriam Inoni. Inoni lamented
Biya's choice of individuals to serve as ELECAM's General
Manager and members of the board, but admitted that they were
included among the list of 143 names he submitted to
President Biya. Nonetheless, he hoped the international
community would not give up on ELECAM or support for the 2011
presidential election. End summary.


2. (C) In a January 15 meeting, Ambassador told Prime
Minister Inoni that she was representing the 8 plus 6 group
of Chiefs of Mission (reftel) in expressing concern about the
makeup of the new Electoral Commission, Elections Cameroon
(ELECAM). The list is not broadly representative and does
not give us confidence about Cameroon's ability to have a
free and fair election in 2011, she said. Ambassador noted
that the USG and other members of the 8 plus 6 would be
making individual decisions about any public response to
ELECAM and possible consequences for our programs. UK Charge
Gillian Edwards accompanied Ambassador, representing the
Commonwealth and European Union.


3. (C) The process of naming ELECAM was not finished, Inoni
responded, noting that the government was still "receiving
reactions," which he hoped to discuss with President Biya
soon. The Government of Cameroon (GRC) hoped to work with
international partners in preparing for the 2011 election, he
said, arguing that it was possible for the named members to
work independently and that the international community
should "not give up on ELECAM".


4. (C) Inoni confided that he had sent Biya a list of 143
names, all thoroughly vetted and broadly representative of
Cameroonian society and politics. However, Biya had passed
over the individuals whom Inoni found most qualified and
instead selected a slate of individuals that was "not what I
would have liked to see." Biya reportedly rejected one
former prominent member of the Observatoire National des
Elections (ONEL) because she was in a dispute with the
government over a legal bill and rejected another who he
found too controversial with traditional leaders in his
region.


5. (SBU) Ambassador mentioned concerns about alleged fraud
committed by the new President of ELECAM Samuel Azuu Fonkam.
Inoni responded that if this is true it's "not acceptable"
and he hoped we would share any information about this case
so he could take appropriate action.


6. (C) Comment: Inoni's influence has appeared to be
waning for some time and many expect him to be replaced in a
long awaited Cabinet shuffle. He has been our (and the 8
plus 6) principle interlocutor on ELECAM and he is often the
polished public face of the government. However, his
admission that his long list of names was rejected suggests
he has limited influence over ELECAM decisions.
GARVEY