CAMEROON: BIYA OFF TO A BUSY NEW YEAR

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 YAOUNDE 000078 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CM ECON KCOR PGOV PHUM PREL SUBJECT: CAMEROON: BIYA OFF TO A BUSY NEW YEAR REF: A. YAOUNDE 1046 ¶B. YAOUNDE 1095 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: President Biya set the tone for a busy year with an uncharacteristically active January. In his annual New Year's address, Biya focused on the economy and the need to forge greater national unity as Cameroon enters its fiftieth anniversary of independence. He praised the Obama administration's consultative style and highlighted his international engagement in a New Year's speech to the diplomatic corps. In January, the government took small steps to boost the economy, made a new round of corruption-related arrests under "Operation Sparrowhawk," transferred equipment and the electoral roll to the Electoral Commission (ELECAM) and moved forward on a new electoral code. Speculation about early (2010) elections has reduced, despite continued signs that the ruling CPDM party is in campaign mode. Encouraged by these latest developments, the European Union and UNDP are preparing to support ELECAM. Like most Cameroonian political observers, we remain skeptical of Operation Sparrowhawk and ELECAM but the events of January suggests Biya may be more active in the year ahead. End summary. Biya's New Year's Messages -------------- ¶2. (U) In his annual New Year's address, Biya highlighted Cameroon's declining economic growth resulting from the global economic crisis. Although the economy "weathered the storm with limited damage," he acknowledged "we fell short in our objectives, particularly in the energy sector." For 2010, the President saw the need to stimulate industrial production and anticipated the launch of a number of major infrastructure projects, including the Lom-Pangar hydroelectric dam, the Kribi deep sea port, the Memve'ele dam, the Kribi natural gas power plant, the Mekin mini hydroelectric power station on the Dja river, the rehabilitation and extension of water supply systems, and the modernization of roads. He also promised to speed up the launching of cobalt, bauxite, gold and other ongoing mining projects. He pointed to new investments in the social sector, including three billion CFA (about $7 million) of financial support to Cameroon's best university students. ¶3. (U) In addition to boosting the economy, Biya pointed to strengthening democracy as "one of the two major thrusts of our policy of greater achievements." The Electoral Commission (ELECAM) "may require some adjustments," he said, asserting that "ultimately we will have an electoral mechanism that will make the results of upcoming polls unchallengeable." He promised further progress in decentralization and said "we have paved the way" for the creation of the Senate. The war against corruption and efforts to combat banditry would continue. Biya concluded by proclaiming that 2010 would be a year to celebrate Cameroon's fiftieth anniversary of independence, proclaimed on January 1, 1960, and its achievements, "foremost among which are national unity and peace". Somewhat ominously, Biya also denounced "systematic contestation by a minority of our compatriots who would readily resort to lie-telling and slander" and "would rather see our country plunged into all forms of chaos for them to achieve their aims." ¶4. (U) In his New Year's address to the diplomatic corps, Biya once again highlighted the global economic crisis and its impact on Cameroon. He noted signs of a "new era in international relations," marked by more extensive and equitable global consultation on the world's major challenges. He praised what he saw as the Obama administration's willingness to "follow the path of dialogue and consultation," with a more constructive approach to the Arab-Israeli conflict, and closer collaboration with the United Nations. Biya highlighted his participation at the UN, the Copenhagen summit, and in meetings of the CEMAC, as well as hosting visits to Yaounde in 2009 of the Presidents of Gabon, Chad, Central African Republic, the Prime Minister of France and Pope Benedict XVI. Off to an Active Start -------------- ¶5. (U) Over the past month, the government has projected forward movement on the economy. The GRC signed 250 billion CFA ($530 million) of new water investment deals, hosted a major water and energy conference, and named a new Agency for the Promotion of Investment. The Minister of Finance publicly announced 200 billion FCFA ($425 million) of borrowing to cover budgetary gaps (ref B). Biya announced in his New Year's address that the GRC would organize an agricultural fair in Ebolowa, capital of the South Region YAOUNDE 00000078 002 OF 003 (Biya's home area),which has not had such an event in twenty years. ¶6. (SBU) "Operation Epervier" (Operation Sparrowhawk), Biya's roundup and arrests of senior corrupt officials, was launched in 2007 and has led to a number of high level arrests. After a lull, on January 6-8, 2010 Epervier struck again, with the arrests of Ntongo Onguene, former director of the Airports of Cameroon (ADC),Haman Adama, former minister of basic education, Catherine Abena, former Secretary of State for Secondary Education, and about a dozen other more junior officials, including several city mayors. On January 21, former Minister of Economy and Finance Polycarpe Abah Abah, in prison on corruption charges since 2008, was indicted on another count of corruption. Sources tell us that at least ten more sitting and former ministers will soon be arrested for corruption, possibly followed by a Cabinet shuffle and more arrests, likely including former Prime Minister Ephraim Inoni and the current Minister of Secondary Education. The Minister of Finance recently announced plans to investigate 100 officials in his ministry for corruption. The government has also recently been more actively discussing lifting immunity from prosecution for parliamentarians, which is expected to lead to more corruption-related arrests. ¶7. (U) Also on January 21, the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization (MINADT) signed documents officially transferring all electoral material to the Elections Commission (ELECAM),including computer equipment, software, voting materials, and the electoral register. Speaking to the media, MINADT Minister Marafa Hamidou Yaya said he had submitted a new Electoral Code to the Prime Minister; Director General of ELECAM Mohan Sani Tanimou said that the institution had identified 70 percent of its staff and acquired a substantial amount of the property it needs throughout the country. Early Elections? -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Contacts have speculated for several months that Biya might call early presidential elections in 2010, a year before the constitutionally mandated date. This speculation was fueled by a Presidential letter to the people, Biya's active international engagement, an ambitious 2010 budget and a growing chorus of support from CPDM militants (reftels). Further supporting this speculation was the high profile December 21 launch of a new book, "Paul Biya: The People's Call," the first of two volumes of letters from supporters calling on Biya to run as the ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM) party's presidential candidate in ¶2011. Preparations are also underway for Biya to travel in the near future to Bamenda in the Northwest, the anglophone heart of the main opposition party, to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the armed forces. Other possible domestic presidential travel is being discussed in the media. Biya has not traveled within the country outside of Yaounde and his village Mvomeka, for many years, making this Bamenda trip appear to be a further sign that the electoral campaign has begun. ¶9. (SBU) While contacts agree the CPDM is in election mode, many seem less convinced than they were several months ago that Biya will call early polls. Several civil society contacts recently argued to Pol/Econ Chief that they saw no reason why Biya would advance elections. In a recent conversation with Pol/Econ Chief, Minister Delegate to the Presidency in charge of Relations with the Assemblies and Deputy Secretary General of the CPDM Gregoire Owona said he personally did not expect early elections, although he conceded "only the boss knows". "We're not in the business of politics for politics sake," he continued, asking "why would we move the election forward?" When Pol/Econ Chief pointed to increased electoral campaigning by the CPDM, Owona responded cryptically "we're always in campaign mode," denying that the current level of activity was unusual. He saw no urgency in organizing a long-anticipated CPDM Congress (which hasn't occurred in twelve years). Comment -------------- ¶10. (U) Many Cameroonians remain highly skeptical of ELECAM, pointing to its continued partisan leadership (10 out of 12 Council members are from the ruling party). There is also widespread cynicism about Epervier. Critics note that endemic corruption continues, that none of those arrested recently under Epervier have gone to trial and that the government recently granted several of the victims of Epervier pre-trial bail in exchange for paying back their YAOUNDE 00000078 003 OF 003 stolen proceeds. Many see Biya's activism on ELECAM and Epervier as an attempt to placate the international community. The President's New Year's speech was criticized by anglophones who pointed out that 2010 was only the independence anniversary for francophones (anglophone regions only became part of a federated Cameroon in 1961). Furthermore, the speech offered none of the clues about early elections that many Cameroonians expected. ¶11. (SBU) Whether or not Biya will move elections forward, he continues to take steps to leave all his options open. By transferring electoral materials to ELECAM and heightening the Epervier anxiety within his government, he is signaling that major change could be in the wind. Cameroonians have been absorbed with the Africa Cup over the past month and the loss of the Indomitable Lions soccer team has also defused speculation that Biya might use a victory to advance the election. The President's focus on investment and the economy makes economic sense but it is also good politics. The recent moves have encouraged the UNDP and European Union to move forward with plans to provide ELECAM with technical support, although the UN is still consulting and planning for a final evaluation of electoral assistance in July. ¶12. (SBU) Epervier is no doubt a mix of corruption-fighting and domestic politics, keeping potential rivals locked up and others on their toes. The fact that Biya threatened potential opponents while at the same time praising democracy in his New Year's speech suggests we won't see more tolerance for dissent in 2010. Biya deserves credit for continuing to arrest accused corrupt officials, an aggressive approach which is not in place in many other African countries. However, we share the skepticism of many Cameroonian observers about Epervier,s motives and their concerns about the lack of an accompanying legal process. We are also more cautious than the UN and EU about ELECAM since there has been no movement to make the leadership less political. Nonetheless, we are encouraged that a President and government known for inertia, poor governance and slow decision-making seem to be grabbing the new year by the horns, especially on the economic front. While hoping to strengthen his legitimacy and his bargaining position within the CPDM (which appears to be showing more fissures),Biya may also be thinking about his legacy. We expect to see a continued heightened political and economic pace in the coming few months, leading into the March parliamentary session. GARVEY