InsideCameroon, Issue #2
Center for Environment & Development (CED). yimga@cedcam.org
March 29, 2001
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In this issue: Forests: Cameroonian Government Announces Independent Monitor for the Forest Sector Technical
Revision of Forest Concessions
Community Forests in Cameroon
Protest Against Logging Companies: Angry Communities Block Logging Roads
Human Rights: The Operational Command in Douala: A Killing Machine?
US State Department Documents Cameroon‘s Poor Human Rights Record
International Finance Institutions: Bolloré/Camrail to receive World Bank Credit
Corporate News: Monsanto denies GMO Tests in Cameroon
Chad-Cameroon Oil Pipeline: Chadian and Cameroonian Organisations mobilise in Mbalmayo The Alphabet-Soup of Pipeline Monitors
FORESTS BREAKING NEWS IN THE FOREST SECTOR: CAMEROONIAN GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES INDEPENDENT MONITOR In a press communiqué published on March 27, the Cameroonian Minister of Environment and Forests announced that „in order to ensure more transparency, controls of forest exploitation will from now on be carried out jointly by the forestry administration and an independent monitor provided by an international NGO". During a preliminary period of six months, an independent monitor will be permanently present in the field. The Minister stated that during this mission, the names of companies found guilty of illegal activities would be widely published. The announcement came after a long period of discussions carried out between the government, NGOs and the donor community. An independent monitoring mission was sent to the field already last year, but the Government refused to publish its results. The decision is seen by many observers as a major step towards stopping illegal logging activities in Cameroon. Over half of the logging taking place in Cameroon is estimated to be illegal, and donors and NGOs have long called for an independent monitor (see InsideCameroon #1). „We very much welcome the decision by the Cameroonian government to accept support from an independent body with monitoring experience", says Samuel Nguiffo, Director of the Cameroonian Center for Environment and Development. „It is however important to note that, if adequate measures against criminal companies are not being taken today, it is not due to a lack of information." NGOs point at numerous studies carried out in the recent past revealing the scale of illegal activities by logging companies in the forest sector. The government recently started to impose penalties on some of the companies, but those are considered too modest to have a far-reaching impact. „National and international logging companies have been caught flagrantly breaking Cameroonian laws, yet none of the large corporations have been excluded from the sector, as required by Cameroonian legislation", adds Nguiffo. The Minister did not name the NGO to be appointed for this task, but it is believed that it will be Global Witness with whom he recently met in London to discuss the process. The contracts have, however, not yet been signed, and the actual mission is not expected to start before July this year.
TECHNICAL REVISION OF FOREST CONCESSIONS As part of the conditionalities set by the World Bank in the frame of the 3rd Structural Adjustment Loan, Cameroon had to do a technical revision of its forest concessions (see also InsideCameroon #1). This was carried out at the beginning of last year, and several different unofficial versions have been circulating since then. The report, which has never been published, draws a dismal picture of the logging companies active in Cameroon. InsideCameroon got hold of a copy of the latest version; here are some of its conclusions: The study found that many companies bidding for forest concessions show very poor technical quality. "There was a desire to make it possible for some Cameroonians to take part in the bidding for UFAs. Therefore a certain number of UFAs have been attributed to "economic operators" who have nothing to do with professional forest exploitation (military, politicians, …), and who thus hope to secure themselves a rent" The lack of control of logging o peration is still evident and widespread corruption prevails. According to the provincial delegate of MINEF in the East Province, only 20 percent of concessions are being controlled. The report criticizes "generalised corruption" in the sector, where the officials involved deliberately allow the companies to break the law ("corruption generalisée implicant l’apparition de passe droits à la legislation en vigueur"). The prevailing chaos directly benefits the officials, who therefore have no interest in changing the current situation of intransparency. Poor logging practices and absence of Management Plans: The report reveals that out of 29 companies who got concessions in 1996 or 1997, only ONE had a management plan that was not criticised by the consultant. Five had management plans that were unacceptable, the rest had no plan at all. However, the law states that a management must be approved before the end of the first three years. In this context, the statement made to the consultant by one of the concessionaires is enlightening: "It’s useless to visit my UFA, I don’t respect the regulations concerning the cutting rates and the minimum diameter for exploitation, and I don’t hide it". The company concerned, SFH, has already been found guilty of serious illegalities several times, but has never been excluded from the sector, as required by the law.
COMMUNITY FORESTS IN CAMEROON In the 1994 forest law, the political authorities expressed their will to put an end to the marginalisation of the local populations in the exploitation of forest resources. The establishment of community forests is an important part of the strategies to empower local people and generate income for communities through sustainable development. A community forest is an area of the national forest domain that is subject to an agreement between the Forest Administration and the local community, providing for management, conservation and utilisation to the benefits of the community. Numerous national and international observers welcomed the innovation as a mechanism to empower those who are the main victims of forest destruction to become the principle actors in the conservation and sustainable management of at least some limited areas of forest resources. At the same time it was expected to provide an important financial resource for local development. As to the concerned populations, they thought they could finally reclaim a part of their forests being plundered by outsiders. Six years after the forest law became effective in January 1994, this dream has not become reality. The access of the local population to community forestry remains extremely limited. (No more than 10 community forests have been established to date) The process is being seriously hampered for the following reasons: The affected populations remain very poorly informed; access to information is extremely limited at a local level The legal framework is difficult to handle for local communities: The procedure of attribution is very complicated and expensive The area in which community forestry is possible is very limited Even in the areas dedicated to community forestry, local people have to compete with powerful logging interests Regulations for granting titles for forest exploitation are far from clear The legal design of community forests ignores important customary rights and community traditions in Cameroon, and therefore opens considerable potential for conflict: The limitation of the areas dedicated to co mmunity forests is arbitrary and does not comply with traditional property rights. According to the law, the maximum size for a community forest is 5000 ha; traditional property is much larger in many communities In order to apply for and to manage a forest, new legal entities need to be created in the communities. The fact that traditional organisations already exist is not taken into account. New bodies are likely to be established by „educated" people, who are able to meet the complicated requirements, which can undermine local structures already in place and lead to conflict over the benefits derived from the forest. The proscribed use of some forest products, wildlife in particular, contradicts traditional practices. Use of some products is entirely forbidden, for others a special permit is required. This puts local people into a difficult situation where they see themselves forced to abandon their traditional practices that are often a vital part of their cultural identity. This is true especially for the indigenous pygmy populations. The legal design entirely ignores the traditional use rights of the pygmy populations, making it almost impossible for them to have a legally established „community forest". Community forestry is only possible in the areas along roads, where pygmies have lost any customary use rights to Bantu settlers. The remote forest areas, where pygmies could still claim their customary rights, are established as so-called „permanent forests", though this means they are exclusively dedicated to industrial logging or conservation. Under pressure from international donors, the Cameroonian Government is now in the process of preparing the legal texts required to solve some of these problems. In various initiatives, NGOs and bilateral donors work to strengthen the position of local communities and help them to defend their interests against the pressure of the logging industry. For more information on community forests contact: ced@cedcam.org Website: www.cedcam.org
LOGGING COMPANIES DON’T PAY TAXES – ANGRY COMMUNITIES BLOCK LOGGING ROADS On 25 February, the population of Djoum in South Cameroon took the streets to claim the portion of the area tax that logging companies owe to the local communities for the period of 2000-2001. For Djoum alone, the taxes amount to over 168 Million Francs cfa. According to the law, the amount has to be paid by the companies before they start exploitation; 50 percent go to the state, 40 percent to the respective local council, and 10 percent to the local communities that are affected by the forest exploitation. That means in the case of Djoum, the communities can claim 16.8 million Francs cfa. Although the company had been logging in the concessions for two months, the communities complain of not having received their compensation. Tired of waiting, a group of furious young locals resolved to take stronger measures and built road blocks, preventing any logging truck from passing. The logging companies concerned were SFID, belonging to the French group Rougier, and COFA, belonging to Bonaventure Mvondo Assam, a deputy of the region, who happens to be the nephew of the President of the Republic. The persons in charge of the companies declared that they would not „let these people get away with that" and that their action was unacceptable. The vice-mayor of the local council of Djoum, however, did not share this view. According to him, the problems have only arisen because the companies did not adhere to the agreements. The mayor of the town of Djoum shares this opinion and even talked about a conspiracy. It has not been the first time that protests have been raised over the question of community compensation. The question is indeed, why the companies do not pay their duties directly to the communities. This would reduce the number of intermediaries between the money and the real beneficiaries, the population.HUMAN RIGHTS THE OPERATIONAL COMMAND – A KILLING MACHINE? Massgraves, torture, summary executions, disappearances: One year after the Cameroonian Government created the „Operational Command", a para-military unit to combat crime in Douala, the list of allegations against this special „Force of Order" is frightening. During the past weeks, the Cameroonian press – with the notable exception of the government-controlled „Cameroon Tribune" – has been reporting on abuses by the Operational Command almost on a daily basis. The most recent case is that of nine young men that have been arrested, tortured and killed for allegedly having stolen a bottle of gas. According to witnesses, the men were arrested by elements of the Operational Command on January 23. They "disappeared" from the Operational Command prison soon afterwards. On March 4, the citizen’s committee "C9" organised its first peaceful protest march in Douala, calling on the Cameroonian president to put an end to the terror and fear spread by the Operational command and demanding clarification on the „disappearances". The Cameroonian police forcefully dispersed the demonstration, numerous demonstrators were badly beaten and temporarily arrested. Meanwhile, the international community was alerted, when in a press release from 1 March, Amnesty International called on the Cameroonian government to „throw light on the disappearances of 9 children in Douala". Summary Executions and Torture The parents of the disappeared have lost any hope of finding their sons still alive. On March 2, the Douala-based „Christian Action for the Abolition of Torture" (ACAT) reported that the nine have been tortured and summarily executed along with 41 other people. Their bodies had reportedly being burned with acid before burial. The recent incident in Douala, however, is only the tip of the iceberg. In its recent report on Human Rights Practices in Cameroon, the US Department of State stated they had „reports that the Operational Command committed numerous summary executions, which totalled at least several dozens". According to ACAT, more than 1000 people have been tortured and killed by the Operational Command during the first year of its existence. A preliminary list with 122 names of victims was published in „Le Messager" on March 19. In November 2000, the BBC reported on a mass grave that was discovered in Douala, containing at least 36 corpses. Fears were expressed about other massgraves held by the Operational Command, since numerous citizens reported that family members have disappeared under mysterious circumstances. The Archbishop of Douala, Cardinal Christian Tumi estimated the total number of extrajuridicial killings at 500 six months ago. Meanwhile, under pressure from independent media and civil society, the Cameroonian Government finally reacted to the case of the 9 of Bepanda. In a communiqué issued on 20 March, „the President of the Republic has ordered a thorough investigation to shed light on this matter." Citizens of Douala continue to organise weekly demonstrations against what they call the "Force of Disorder". Articles from „Le Messager" are posted at: http://www.wagne.net/messager/messager
US-STATE DEPARTMENT REPORTS ON CAMEROON: GOVERNMENT’S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD REMAINED POOR In February 2001, the US Department of State published its Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Cameroon. InsideCameroon documents excerpts of the original report: "The Government’s human rights record continued to be generally poor, and government officials continued to commit numerous serious abuses." Respect for Political Rights: The right of Citizens to change their Government "The 1992 and 1997 presidential elections and the 1997 legislative contests were criticised widely and viewed as fraudulent by international and domestic observers" "No President has left ever left office in consequence of an election" "The president’s control over the couture’s administrative apparatus is extensive. The President appoints all Ministers, including the Prime Minister, who serve at the President’s pleasure." Judiciary "The judiciary remained corrupt, inefficient, and subject to political interference" "Political bias often brings trials to a halt or results in an extremely long process, punctuated by extended court recesses. Powerful political or business interests appear to enjoy virtual immunity from prosecution; some politically sensitive cases are settled with a payoff and thus are never heard" "The government holds a number of political prisoners; however, as in previous years, there were no reliable estimates of the number of political prisoners held at the end of the year" Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment "The security forces continued to commit numerous serious human rights abuses" "Two forms of physical abuse commonly inflicted on detainees include the "bastinade", in which the victim is beaten on the soles of the feet, and the "balancoire", in which the victim, with his hands tied behind his back, is hung from a rod and beaten, often in the genitals. Non-violent political ac tivists often have been subjected to such punitive physical abuse during brief detentions following roundups of participants in antigovernment demonstrations or opposition party political rallies". "The Operational Command reportedly tortured some persons before summarily executing them". "In the vast majority of cases of torture or abuse, the Government rarely investigated or punished any of the security officials involved"" Political and other Extrajudicial Killing "Security forces committed numerous extrajudicial killings; were responsible for disappearances, some of which may have been motivated politically; and tortured, often beat, and otherwise abused detainees and prisoners, generally with impunity "There were reports that the Douala Operational Command committed numerous summary executions, which totalled at least several dozens. There were reports that some persons were tortured before they were killed" Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association, Freedom of Press "The government restricted freedom of assembly and association" "Government officials and security forces continued to use arbitrary arrest to harass and intimidate members of opposition parties and other critics of the Government" "Security forces harassed and occasionally detained journalists and beat demonstrators and members of human rights NGOs" "Security forces harassed and threatened journalists" "Security forces continued frequently to restrict press freedom by harassing or abusing private print media journalists" Indigenous People "Discrimination against indigenous Pygmies continued" "There have been credible reports of Pygmies being forced out of their homes by logging companies and security forces. There continued to be reports that Pygmies complain that the forests they inhabit are being logged without fair recompense for the negative consequences suffered by the Pygmies of the region" "Some local activists also criticised possible effects from the Chad Cameroon pipeline on nearby pygmy settlements" The full report can be downloaded from: http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2000/af/index.cfm?docid=713
INTERNATIONAL FINANCE INSTITUTIONS BOLLORÉ AND ITS AFRICAN TENTACLES The World Bank is planning to provide a significant loan to Cameroon and the company CAMRAIL, belonging to the French Group Bolloré, for the rehabilitation of the Cameroonian Railway. In the process of privatisation, Bolloré, through CAMRAIL, became concessionare of the public enterprise REGIFERCAM in 1998. According to the World Bank Project Document (PID7601), total project costs are US$ 87.15 million. The World Bank says it will support the project through an IDA credit of US$ 20.5 million, and an IFC equivalent of US$ 5.9 million. Cofinanciers of the project include the French co-operation, AFD (US$ 10.75 million), the European Investment Bank EIB (US$ 12.9 million), PROPARCO (US$ 7.2 million) and Deutsche Entwicklungsgesellschaft DEG (US$ 5 million). According to the World Bank, the project objectives are: improve the efficiency and sustainability of the transport sector through private operation of the railway sector, and eliminate the burden on public finance for provision of railway services. An Environmental Impact Assessment was prepared in early 1999. Among the adverse environmental impacts identified is the illegal transportation of rainforests logs and bushmeat. What remains unclear to date is the purpose of an IDA credit to Cameroon for „Railway Concessioning", given that the company had already been privatised in 1998, all the more since, according to the Bank, „The concessionaire (Bollore/Camrail) will be the main implementing agency and will have complete responsibility for the physical project components". The funds of the International Development Agency (IDA) of the World Bank Group are very limited and destined to help the poorest people to improve their living conditions. According to the information available, a Board date has not yet been fixed and the project is still „in the pipeline". The „New Emperor of Africa" The French Group Bolloré, one of the most influential post-colonial enterprises operating in Africa, has specialised in controlling the transport sector in many countries throughout the continent, including railroads and export facilities. In Cameroon, Bollor é is also involved in forest exploitation, notably through the companies HFC/Forestiere de Campo in the South Province and SIBAF in the East Province. Both companies have been proven to be involved in illegal activities. The practices of the company have led to conflicts with affected communities, since numerous species cut by HFC, such as Moabi and Bubinga, are of important economic and cultural value to the local population. One of the major challenges for the Bank and the Cameroonian government will be to put in place tight controls in order to stop the transport of illegal timber and bushmeat by the Cameroonian Railway. Given the vested interests of the company and its dismal history in the logging business, Camrail/Bolloré is not expected to be highly motivated to enforce such controls. The Cameroonian government has recently signed an accord with Camrail to prohibit the transportation of illegal bushmeat. On the Atlantic coast of Cameroon, Bolloré, who has been granted the title of „The new Emperor of Africa" by the „Lettre du Continent", is also the owner of the Port of Campo, where the vessels of the French company Delmas load HFC‘s logs for export. Delmas, who control nearly all of the maritime transport between Africa and Europe, is a subsidiary of – Bolloré. CAMRAIL contact adress: Mr. Monpert CAMRAIL 51, rue Louis Blanc 92400 Courbevoie, France tel: 33 1 41415492 fax: 33 1 41415038 For more information on Bolloré, visit the Website of SURVIE http://www.globenet.org/survie/campagne/Bollore/modemploi.htm or the information service Africa Intelligence (articles need to be paid for): http://www.africaintelligence.fr/dossiers/aif/dos_aif_afr_bollore.asp Or check the World Bank Project Information at www.worldbank.org/sprojects
CORPORATE NEWS GMOs: MONSANTO COMPLAINS ABOUT DISINFORMATION The PR-officer of Monsanto for Germany, Switzerland and Austria allows no doubt: Monsanto does not carry out tests with genetically modified corn in Cameroon. In a protest letter to the Swiss newspaper „Wochenzeitung", Dr. Andreas Thierfelder denied the information that the Multinational is possibly in the process of experimenting with GMO corn in Cameroon. What is true, says Monsanto, is that the company carries out tests in order to cultivate species that can better adapt to the climate. The Swiss article was based on information provided by InsideCameroon, who received information that the biotechnology firm was testing GMO corn in North Cameroon (see InsideCameroon #1). In their article, the Cameroonian journalists themselves raised questions about the kind of experiments being carried out by the company in their country. They asked their readers for help in getting more detailed information, which appears very hard if not impossible to obtain from Monsanto itself. The letter by Monsanto gives evidence that the issue is of great importance to the company. While it leaves many questions open, it throws at least some light on certain issues that had not been officially confirmed, such as the presence of Monsanto in Cameroon. Finally, three basic facts have now been confirmed: It is true that the multinational Monsanto is experimenting in Cameroon It is true that Monsanto carries out its tests in the North of the country It is true that corn is among the products being tested The fact that any other information is simply denied by Monsanto, does still not necessarily mean that this information is false. Does Monsanto do experiments with GMO corn in Cameroon? The question still remains open. Cameroonian sources insist that the information is correct. It is up to Monsanto to throw light on the matter, and to provide the Cameroonian and the European public with detailed information about their activities. Concerning the lack of „background information" that the Monsanto lett er criticises harshly, it would be very helpful if the company would provide the following: Where exactly in Cameroon, and since when, has Monsanto been doing the tests? Who are their partners in Cameroon? What are the agreements with the national and local authorities? Are there products other than corn being tested (cotton, soybeans, tobacco etc.…)? What is the purpose of the tests? What are the results so far? What is the contact address for Monsanto in Cameroon? As long as Monsanto keeps operating in secrecy, Cameroonians have no choice but to look for other sources of information. Monsanto‘s move to Africa Faced with hostile reactions to GMO products, the company is on its way to make itself at home in Africa, a continent well known for bad governance and a lack of law enforcement. In Zimbabwe for example, Monsanto is about to take over local agricultural production. In January 1999, the company organised a ceremony to demonstrate the herbicide „Round Up", in order to teach small farmers what „efficiency" means, thereby paving the way for the introduction of GMOs. To secure its dominant position, the American multinational also became owner of „Seed Coop", a large national, para-statal seed production company in Zimbabwe. In an article published in „Terre Citoyenne", Peter Sunday Muchambo, co-ordinator of „Agriculture Paysanne et Modernisation" (APM), states that „thanks to the purchase of Seed Coop, Monsanto can easily develop their experiments in secrecy, without passing through the regular channels". Furthermore, in the annual report 1999, the president of Seed Coop announced that from the year 2000, the company would start to commercialise six species of corn that are resistant to a parasite. It was only shortly afterwards that Zimbabwe authorised the first tests of genetically modified plants: Cotton, tobacco, soybean, corn, among others. Today, the same company secretely carries out tests in the North of Cameroon, in co-operation with, according to our sources, researchers from the IRAD institute. Does Monsanto carry out – or plan – tests with genetically modified corn or with any other genetically modified organisms in Cameroon? The concerns of Cameroonian citizens are by no means misplaced.
CHAD CAMEROON PIPELINE AFRICAN GROUPS MOBILISE IN CAMEROON A seminar was held from 25 – 28 February in Mbalmayo, Cameroon, not far from Yaound é. Apart from representatives from Chad and Cameroon, it was attended by observers from Italy, Switzerland, Germany and the United States. The meeting took place only shortly after the World Bank had published the composition and Terms of Reference of the International Advisory Group on the Chad-Cameroon Pipeline Project (IAG). The Work focused on the following: Exchange of information about project implementation in the field in Chad and Cameroon, with an emphasis on the numerous environmental and social problems caused by the project. The objectives of civil society involvement in Chad and Cameroon with regard to the monitoring and examination of the role of NGOs Identification of priority areas for monitoring and challenges for advocacy activities Information about the commitments and promises made by World Bank, the Consortium and the two governments Reaction to the establishment of the IAG and implications for the activities of civil society groups Strategies for monitoring activities in Chad and Cameroon The seminar which was characterised by an atmosphere of solidarity and high motivation of the participants, achieved the following: A greater understanding of the problems caused in both Chad and Cameroon. Civil society in both countries is generally being kept very poorly informed about the project. A coherent approach for monitoring field operations in Chad and Cameroon Agreements on mechanisms for communication between Chadian and Cameroonian organisations A joint open letter was sent to the president of the World Bank Group concerning the IAG. At the end of the seminar, participants expressed their wish to conduct further meetings between civil society groups in Chad and Cameroon and to strengthen co-operation and communication. The meeting was seen as a promising start of a long-term process. Critical Points Arising from the Meeting 1. A huge gap was acknowledged between the written and oral public statements by the oil companies and the World Bank on the one hand, and reality in the field on the other hand. Examples: The working conditions for Chadians and Cameroonians are to a large extent unacceptable. Many have no working-contracts, and salaries are particularly low, with some people working for below minimum wage. All major construction and service contracts have been granted to foreign companies (mainly French and American firms), which calls into question the positive impact of the project on the national economies of Chad and Cameroon. Compensation rates paid in Chad, for example for mango trees, have been significantly lower than set out in the agreements with the consortium. Human rights issues, though still a serious problem in Chad, are not addressed in the terms of reference of the IAG Indigenous peoples in Cameroon have still not been compensated Conflicts arose in Chad when the consortium destroyed graves to make way for the widening of a road The World Bank and the Consortium promised that there would be no gas flaring in Chad, however, project documents show the contrary It will not be possible to bury the pipeline entirely, but detailed information is not available The project is still treated with a high degree of secrecy in both countries. In Chad, NGOs and local population continue to be intimidated, and in Cameroon the government and the Consortium refuse to respond to inquiries from NGOs.
Serious human rights problem continue in Chad. After the project was approved by the World Bank, the Government organised raids in the project area, during which several people were killed. Human Rights and Peasant‘s organisations in Chad are still subject to harassment and intimidation.
The purchase of arms by the Chadian Government with money obtained from the oil companies was heavily critised. Of particular concern was the hypocrisy of the World Bank, who only reacted in October 2000, when the scandal was reported by the American press, although the fact was already well known and in the public domain before the project was approved.
General confusion prevailed about the tasks and mandates of the various official monitoring groups for the project, how they relate to one another and whether they could be effective; especially with regard to the project reality in the field and its impact on people‘s living conditions.
Concern was expressed about the fact that the World Bank and the Consortium abuse Chadian and Cameroonian NGOs for public relation purposes. Whereas concerns of the populations have been largely ignored and the project was approved despite the call for a moratorium, meetings organised by NGOs were cited as „consultations" in order to get approval for the project. This is not acceptable and needs to be avoided in the future. There was unanimous agreement that civil society groups need to follow the activities of the oil companies and the World Bank very closely and continue to inform the international public and donor community. Now that the project has been approved, everything possible must be done to prevent a humanitarian and ecological disaster. The open letter to World Bank President Wolfensohn is available at CED in English and French. Contact: yimga@cedam.org
MULTIPLE MONITORS TO MONITOR THE MONITORS – BUT WHO MONITORS THE OIL-COMPANIES? The World Bank Group (WBG) has appointed the long awaited International Advisory Group (IAG). The IAG however, shall not duplicate the work of other monitors, such as the ECMP that has been appointed to monitor the Implementation of the EMP and the IPP and control the work of PSMC established by the Cameroonian Government under the project CAPECE. The PSMC will also monitor the implementation of the EMP and the IPP. In addition the Government will prepare site specific OSRPs. A special IAP will be contracted to advise the PSMC. Let‘s try to get some order into this Alphabet soup: ECMP = External Compliance Monitoring Group The ECMP is charged with the monitoring of the oil project on behalf of the World Bank. For this purpose, the Bank has hired a group of consultants of the Italian firm D‘Appolonia based in Genova. The group is composed of 6 specialists with expertise in different areas. The ECMP will conduct quarterly visits (1 week each in Chad and Cameroon) to the project areas and will produce quarterly reports to be published after approval by the World Bank. World Bank representative Robert Robellus will co-ordinate the work of the group. According to him, the ECMP members are the „Representatives of the World Bank in the field". In a recent Meeting in Yaoundé, D‘Appolonia stated that the „everyday monitoring" however would be the responsibility of COTCO, who has very competent and committed teams in place with whom the experts were „very impressed". In the same meeting, the World Bank acknowledged that the government capacity to monitor the project was „not yet in place". The main task of the ECMP is to assess compliance with the Environmental Management Plan. A first visit was organised to Chad and Cameroon in late February, the report of which shall be made available on the Web in March. The next visit of the group is expected in the end of May. IAG = International Advisory Group The IAG was appointed by the Bank as an additional „Watchdog" due to strong pressure from NGOs and some Donor Governments, who were unwilling to finally approve the project. (The German Minister of co-operation for example stated that their approval of the oil project had been „conditional to the establishment of an International Advisory Group") According to the terms of reference, the IAG will „visit Chad and Cameroon at least twice a year" and report directly to World Bank President and the Board of Directors. The reports of the IAG will be made publicly available. The group is composed of 6 people, the majority of which have been active in the political arena (e.g. the former Prime Minister of Senegal, and the former Development Minister of Norway). The terms of reference of the IAG are available on the World Bank‘s Website (www.worldbank.org) For NGO‘s comments on the setting up of the IAG, see the Open letter to the World Bank President, available at CED.CAPECE = Cameroon Petroleum Environment Capacity Enhancement Project Since the Cameroonian government lacks the capacity to effectively implement and monitor a project of the scale of the Oil Pipeline, the World Bank in June 2000 approved a US$ 5,77 million credit for capacity building. The project objective is to "Establish a national capacity for environmental management and monitoring of the Chad-Cameroon pipeline project". A project with similar objectives has been designed for Chad. PSMC = Pipeline Steering and Monitoring Committee The PSMC is placed under the trusteeship of the National Petroleum Company (SNH) and is the responsible agency for the monitoring "all environmental and social aspects of pipeline construction and operation." According to the World Bank project documentation it will have six operational units to implement its mandates. The field monitoring shall be carried out by three mobile Field Units. An International Advisory Panel (IAP) shall help the government to implement the project. According to World Bank Documentation, the PSMC has already been established in 1997 by Decree, and its operating procedures exist since August 1999. Although the project was approved 9 months ago, World Bank acknowledges that today the "government capacity is not in place". According to the World Bank country representative in Cameroon, the funds for CAPECE have not yet been disbursed, and "we shouldn’t expect too much from it". In response to donor governments who had proposed to first implement the capacity building before approving the oil project, the Bank had responded in April 2000 that they would set "cross-effectiveness conditions to ensure that the pipeline project does not go forward unless the capacity building projects are in place". As predicted by NGOs, the Bank cannot ensure this "cross-effectiveness". Since the project is approved, Pipeline Construction goes on anyway, with environmental and social problems on the rise. Yet the Government is far from having the capacity to fulfil its duty to monitor the field operations and protect its people against adverse impacts. However, the risk of failure rests – as usual – with the affected populations, who have no means to influence the process. As in any other project, the World Bank’s leverage is vanishing as the funds are disbursed. Or will the Bank tell Exxon now to stop construction until the capacity building has been successfully implemented?
The project document for CAPECE (IDA/R2000-51) (60 pages) can be requested from the World Bank Infoshop
------------------------------------------------------ Contributing to this issue:
Edith Abigolo, Journalist
Benoit Ndamdeu, Forestry Specialist
Raphael Yimga Tatchi, Campaigns Coordinator Susanne Breitkopf, Policy Advisor
Robinson Djeukam, Environmental Lawyer Samuel Nguiffo, General Secretary, CED