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"Big Banana" Screening Prohibited-A serious blow to the freedom of expression in Cameroon
by Bernard Njonga, President of the Cameroon Food Sovereignty Coalition
and RELUFA Board member
At the very least we can say that in Cameroon there is no freedom of expression. We’ve had evidence of this again on the 28th of April 2011 in Yaoundé at the Muna Foundation Center, where a number of friends, opinion leaders, members of Civil Society and a few people from the media had been invited to watch the “Big Banana”, a documentary of Franck Bieleu about the multinational banana company Plantations du Haut Penja (PHP). When I say “we”, I mean a coalition of organizations including the Network Fighting Hunger in Cameroon (RELUFA), the Center for the Environment and Development (CED) and the Citizens Association for the Defense of Collective Interests (ACDIC). Together we have worked with the film maker to bring about his documentary because it would unveil the difficult situation for local farmers, and for laborers in large agri-businesses.
Intervention by the authorities
What then exactly happened that afternoon of the 28th ? As our invitees are slowly filling up the Foundation’s hall, waiting for the projection room to be opened for them (in itself already strange that it was locked), rumor goes that very likely the screening will not be taking place because the prefect would have forbidden it. So we rush up the stairs to the office of the Center’s Director to get a clearer idea of what is going on. We see him, all embarrassed, having talks with a police chief, who had specifically come to see to it that the film was not going to be shown. The police chief insists on an authorization for the screening, which should be granted to us by the sub-prefect.
Then evolves a heated debate with us, as we tell him we don't understand why an authorization is needed when the law does not require it since our screening is not open to the public but reserved to a group of people we knew well and had invited.
Nothing we can do, the police chief doesn’t give in. He says to simply be executing orders from the Sub-prefect and that only the latter can change the situation. We understand it’s a done deal and things are over. We realize that the film will not be shown and that our invitees, who had eagerly been waiting to discover this documentary, will be very disappointed.
A clamp down on Civil Liberties
Very disappointed indeed that the screening was not going to take place, but not surprised that it had been forbidden. Many among our invitees were aware of the government’s fretfulness for anything with a hint of criticism about the government’s failings. Anything that could elicit a revolt by the masses. They also knew that only a few days earlier, the International Festival on Human Rights had been prohibited, with filmmakers arrested and the Director of Cinematography of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs lifted from his responsibilities.
Freedom needs to be grabbed
Unimaginable! I must admit to not have believed my eyes and my ears that they forbid this film that I am familiar with, and that contains nothing, really nothing disagreeable for the sitting government.
But one could also say that my disappointment was still greater because we simply submitted ourselves without any resistance as if we didn’t know that civil liberties, in this case the freedom of speech, need to be grabbed, they don’t just present themselves.
RELUFA's Argument with Shell
by Jaff Bamenjo, RELUFA National Coordinator
Commonly known as the Dodd-Frank Act, the US Wall Street Reform Bill was signed into law last year. After years of lobbying by our Joining Hands Partners and other Publish What You Pay activists for a legal framework to ensure transparency in the extractive industries sector, the Bill includes the so-called Cardin-Lugar provision in section 1504, which requires all companies that engage in commercial development of oil, gas and mining activities and are registered in the USA stock exchange to publish the payments they make to foreign governments. This legislation has generally been applauded by civil society organizations but was received with mixed feelings by some companies in the oil industry. The US Wall Street Reform Bill comes at a time when the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) is gaining momentum in some countries that are endowed with oil, gas and mineral wealth, including Cameroon. Such transparency initiatives mark a milestone, since they offer an opportunity for citizens to hold the government accountable for the management of its natural resources and the revenues from the extractive sector.
A legal dispute
Earlier this year, RELUFA learnt of a submission by Royal Dutch Shell to the US Securities and Exchange Commission stating that Cameroon, China and Qatar, three out of the 90 countries it operates in, prohibit oil revenue disclosure. Disagreeing with Shell's claim, RELUFA wrote in March a letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission making the case that this was not true as far as Cameroon is concerned. When Royal Dutch Shell submitted to the SEC a reaction to RELUFA’s letter calling it misleading, RELUFA solicited the expertise from Samuel Nguiffo, Doctor of International Law, and formulated its response to Shell's allegations.
Shell’s argument is based on article 105 of the decree of application of the Cameroon petroleum code concerning confidentiality. This article states that "the Minister responsible for hydrocarbons will preserve the confidentiality of all documents, reports, surveys, plans, data specimens and other information in pursuant of the Petroleum Code, its implementing decrees and the Petroleum Contract". Article 105 of the decree of application of the petroleum code does not expressly state that payment information is confidential, but Royal Dutch Shell argues that payment information falls under "data and other information" and must therefore be kept confidential. According to Shell's interpretation, this article would make the disclosure of revenue payments to the Cameroonian government as the Dodd Franck Act requires, illegal. The rationale for Shell in putting up these arguments is to induce the Securities and Exchange Commission to provide an exemption from disclosure in countries like Cameroon.
Paradoxically, Royal Dutch Shell’s arguments may be counterproductive and may thwart Cameroon's efforts to receive EITI validation. For over three decades, information on oil revenue was not available in the public domain in Cameroon. But recently, there has been a complete reversal of this trend, especially after the government of Cameroon voluntarily adhered to the EITI in 2005. Since then, the government has made significant progress to comply to the EITI requirements and promote transparency in the management of revenues from the extractive sector, even if much still remains to be done.
Truth or hypocrisy?
The fundamental question now is whether Shell believes in its argument or it is simply diversionary tactics to buy time. Just like in the US, the adoption of the Dodd-Franck type law is on the political agenda in Europe if we go by statements made recently by the French president or the British prime minister. At the moment, Cameroon is actively implementing the EITI in which revenue disclosure is the benchmark. This is just one clear example to indicate the inconsistencies in Shell’s arguments that revenue disclosure in Cameroon is prohibited by law. As clearly indicated in article 105 of the decree of application cited above, the assertion by Shell that Cameroon law prohibits revenue disclosure is simply an assumption which is not based on any legal provision of the Cameroon petroleum code or its decree of application. Other oil companies like Exxon Mobil have been publishing their payments to the Cameroonian government for the Chad Cameroon oil pipeline project in a quarterly report in their website. Kosmos energy has published its contracts with the state of Cameroon in the SEC website without any repercussions on them. In all, Shell’s argument that oil revenue disclosure is prohibited by Cameroon law is yet more lip service just to buy time.
RELUFA Draws Attention to the Management of Mining Royalties in Cameroon
by Brendan Schwartz, Extractive Industries Program Assistant
According to Cameroon’s Mining Code of 2001, local communities impacted by mining projects have the right to compensation in the form of a royalty. In light of experiences with similar provisions for other sectors, RELUFA launched at the end of 2010 a study on the management of Cameroon’s mining royalties at the local level. Financed by the Revenue Watch Institute, the RELUFA study aims to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the legal framework and institutions involved in the collection and distribution of the local mining royalty whilst proposing a roadmap for future civil society advocacy in the domain.
Before finalizing the report, RELUFA organized a workshop on June 30th to share information and solicit feedback on the study. The workshop was attended by representatives of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), journalists, and mining companies active in Cameroon. Unfortunately, all of the government ministries invited to the event declined our invitation.
Jaff and Brendan follow the opening remarks by Samuel Nguiffo |
Samuel Nguiffo, the Executive Director of RELUFA' ally, the Center for the Environment and Development (CED), delivered the event’s introductory remarks. Mr. Nguiffo stressed that Cameroon’s government has made a high level political decision to develop the mining sector and now civil society must play a role in ensuring that mining contributes to development at the local and national levels.
The audience contributed ideas to be included in the study or considered for follow-up |
Jaff Bamenjo, RELUFA's national coordinator, delivered a presentation on the research methodology and main findings of the mining royalty study. RELUFA drew inspiration from reforms in Cameroon’s logging industry which also allocates a royalty to communities impacted by logging. Unfortunately, the logging royalty has failed to promote development in many localities and—without significant improvements—the mining royalty system could also fail.
As the program assistant in RELUFA’s Extractive Industries Program, I had been asked to follow up with a presentation detailing the strengths and weaknesses of Cameroon’s current mining royalty system. Over the course of researching the study, RELUFA observed a number of weaknesses in the mining royalty payment system.
We recommend therefore that Cameroon’s Ministry of Mines increase the number of agents in the field in addition to altering the regulations governing the payment and distribution of the mining royalty. Finally, the government and CSOs must make an effort to constitute local level management committees which will manage mining royalties in various
Journalists and CSO representatives with RELUFA's staff after the workshop |
localities.
The attendees closed out the session by encouraging RELUFA to build a national level advocacy campaign based upon the study’s conclusions. In August of this year, RELUFA will begin training local revenue management committees in two major mining areas—Yokadouma and Mbalam.
For more information read the executive summary of RELUFA’s mining royalty study.
Fair Fruit: Bridging the Technological Gap
by Matthias Boyd, RELUFA volunteer
From October 2010 through May 2011, I volunteered with RELUFA in a variety of its programs. The last several months this was with the Fair Fruit project, where I developed a spreadsheet for the daily registration of all operational details into a single document, from the volume and price of purchased fruit, to the number of hours spent to prepare or dry it, and the quantity of pouches of dried fruit packed and sealed. This would allow for simpler viewing and number crunching back at RELUFA’s office.
In April it was time to travel to the project and train the dryers how to use the spreadsheet. I would also install on the project’s computer some additional equipment and software, trace with GPS the farmers’ current fields and the farmland from which they had been evicted in 1999. Last but not least I was to hold interviews with all the producers, farmers and dryers alike, to collect some basic personal data.
Beating the Cameroonian traffic
Waking up at 5 am, it was an early rise to get ready and catch the bus for my work visit with the Fair Fruit producers in Njombé. Fortunately, the bus was not even half full and I could take up the seat next to mine for a bit more leg room. A wonderful way to start this trip, as the busses are usually crowded and noisy with passengers speaking loudly to one another or on the phone. Any concept of personal space better be left behind. But that day, I could take it easy and relax.
Lead dryer, Daniel, was supposed to await me at the bus terminal, but when I arrived after a smooth four hour trip, he was still stuck in the chaos of Douala traffic. When he finally arrived we got onto motorcycle taxis to go to a pick up point for so-called bush taxi’s and find a ride to the village. But not before Blanche, another Fair Fruit dryer, had bought some breakfast supplies for me during my stay with them. Soon thereafter we clambered into a small sedan, with two passengers and the driver in the front, six people in the backseat, and the trunk packed full with bags. Needless to say, it wasn’t a comfortable ride, as I was sitting on the hand break the entire one hour trip to Mbanga and the remaining 30 minutes to Njombe itself. Then it was only one short motortaxi ride to get to Daniel's home. The heat and very high humidity was exhausting, and upon greeting everybody, I laid down to rest a bit.
Matthias shows Daniel how to use different software and programs, and the Fair Fruit operations spreadsheet |
Introducing hard- and software
That first evening I successfully installed Microsoft Office 2007 onto the unit’s computer, along with all the software for the scanner I had brought along with me. I hooked up the scanner and taught Daniel how to use it. Next was setting up Microsoft Outlook with two passwords to access the emails and activate his relufa.org email account. Along with that, I put the excel document I had created onto the project’s computer and then taught Daniel how to use the different software and programs.
At night I slept rather poorly, waking up several times finding myself drenched in sweat due to the heat and stagnant air. Sleeping in a sleeping bag of course didn't help the sweating, despite opening it as much as possible :) .
Interviewing producers
The next morning, I woke up at about 7 and had french bread with hot chocolate for breakfast. Driers started arriving for the day's work and over the course of the day I interviewed seven driers and four of the farmers involved in the Fair Fruit project. I had planned ahead of time that the interviews would take longer, and had anticipated that it might be possible to do only three interviews a day. But finishing with eleven of them on the first full day was certainly pleasing. Daniel and I then planned when we would go to which farmers and walk the perimeter of their respective fields to be able to map them on Google Earth. The next two days I sat down with two more farmers and the last two dryers and the last two farmers.
Putting Fair Fruit farms on the map
However, on the 4th day there, we went out on motorcycles to the fields of the last of the farmers to interview him. We then proceeded to walk the perimeter of his fields with my cell phone to mark the boundaries so that we can show it on Google Earth. We did the same for the fields of three more farmers involved with the Fair Fruit project.
Fair Fruit farms in a bird's eye view |
A composition picture from Google Earth GPS mapping of the Fair Fruit farmers' fields in Njombe/Penja, the land from where they were evicted in 1999, and the distance one of the farmers now has to go to get to his new field. |
Collecting data
The next few days I spent with the producers in the drying unit, observing the dehydration and packaging processes of the fruit. During my stay in Njombé, they were only drying mangoes as it was the mango season, which only lasts about a month. Unfortunately my camera was suffering from a case of the rust, and didn't work properly.
A nasty experience
A week into my visit, Daniel and I went back out to the fields of two other Fair Fruit farmers to mark them with GPS. That day also marked my first encounter with the aerial spraying of the banana plantations, a nasty experience that required a thorough shower after our return home. The evening I continued to train Daniel on how to use the various computer equipment I had brought with me.
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Finalizing the GPS mapping
The following day, I wrapped up the GPS mapping, tracing the field of the last Fair Fruit farmer. He has six different small plots, all scattered around town. Meanwhile the heat and humidity had given me a nasty heat rash. I would take a cool shower but was already sweating again as soon as I stepped out. Even though I had appreciated staying with Daniel’s family I needed to spend the last two nights in a cooler place to get some relieve. On the last full day I worked with Daniel to make sure he had understood everything properly about the equipment and software, and clarified any doubts and questions he had. Daniel had prepared nine large boxes with Fair Fruit products that I would take back with me to RELUFA's office in Yaoundé.
In Yaounde Matthias chauffeured the women of a fruit dryers group to the fields of mango growers and collect the fresh produce |
Very early the next morning, I took a bush taxi back to Douala, weighed down by all the boxes of dried fruit. After the usual hassle and negotiations about the fare, I got onto the bus with my luggage, and took the crowded four-hour long bus ride back to Yaounde. After this visit I returned one more time to Njombé to successfully resolve a few issues that had meanwhile come up with the software.
Chauffeuring mango dryers
My time with the Fair Fruit program was not over yet. Since the mango season is too short to produce enough dried mango in Njombé alone, RELUFA decided to boost the mango stock by engaging a women’s drying group in Yaoundé, where the mango season starts a month later than in Njombé. And so for the month of May, I was asked to help chauffeur the women to mango producers to collect fruit and bring it to the production site. I enjoyed being able to do that with my Cameroonian drivers license and my parents’ car.
A Man of Many Talents - A CAP Success Story
by Kevine Achley, RELUFA intern
A college graduate, Mr. Albert is a hardworking and resourceful father living in Yaoundé’s city quarter called Oyom Abag. He has been leading a great variety of income generating activities: from selling eggs at one of his booths in Yaoundé's largest open air market of Mokolo, to raising pigs and trading corn. Last but not least he is the owner of a snackbar in Melen.
Business going down the hill
Running these shops used to make up his main source of income, but they were destroyed in a land dispute with the government, and his snack bar has been poorly managed by an employee. Altogether this brought him in great financial hardship, which became even worse when his main financial partner let him down.
Ever since, it has been difficult for him to make ends meet, particularly with regards to the schooling of his children.
Albert in front of his pigsty |
Credit Against Poverty
Things turned around when, in January 2010, Albert solicited and was granted a loan from RELUFA’s Credit Against Poverty Program. Sponsored by RELUFA’s partner organization, AAFCOOP, he first benefitted from a small loan of 100,000 CFA (=$200) to trade corn. Having respected his commitments for the reimbursement of this loan, he then got in May 2010 a new loan worth 350,000CFA ($700) to increase his corn trade business fund. The return from these loans allowed him to resume his husbandry activities, which he had first started in 2004 with just two pigs.
With the latest CAP loan, the temporary provisions of the pigsty will soon be replaced with durable materials |
Having seen his pig herd grow overtime, Albert subsequently requested and obtained a third CAP loan of 500,000 CFA ($1000) to expand the pigsty with permanent construction materials rather than the provisory roofing sheets he had been using until then. Last but not least it allowed him to buy a supply of food to feed his pigs.
A growing affair
One of the sows and her piglets |
Currently, Albert's pigsty has twenty one pigs including one male and six sows. The corn he sells serves as food for his pigs and recently the pigsty passed the inspections by the health services on the respect of sanitary norms. Still, pig breeding requires a continuous supply of food for pigs which has proven to be the main burden for this project.
Albert is assisted in this activity by his son. He trains him and other relatives in animal rearing, which is considered an assured additional source of income. ‘It is a safe means of saving’ Albert says. "It doesn’t only ensure the schooling of my children, if necessary the pig can be sold to rapidly provide for any contingencies".
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Indirect beneficiaries
But the benefits of the project don't remain limited to Albert's family. The expansion of the piggery will provide jobs for a few youths and help that way reduce unemployment. This activity further answers to the demand for pigs on the local market. Like chicken, beef and fish, pork is rich in protein and much sought after by consumers in the capital city because it is so delicious when roasted.
Albert truly is a resourceful and talented man, given his ability to manage such a diversity of income generating activities: his pigsty, his snack bar, the corn trade, and the property he rents out.
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