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Section 1: Context of the Study

In addition to presenting the social, economic and political situation of Cameroon, this section also provides a description of the project sites.

Social, Economic and Political Situation of Cameroon

Baptised and called “Rio dos Camaroes” by a Portuguese named Fernando Po in 1472, the first English Baptist Missionaries settled in Cameroon in 1845. In 1868, a German trading post was opened around Douala and the German colonisation of Cameroon began with the signing of a treaty in July 1884 between King Bell of Douala1 and Gustav Nachtigal. In 1945, Cameroon became a Trust Territory under the United Nations organisation (ONU), which replaced the League of Nations. French Cameroon acquired independence on the 1st of January 1960 and then became known as the Federal Republic of Cameroon. The first president of Cameroon was Ahmadou Ahidjo, a Muslim from the North, who had been the Prime Minister since 1958. In 1972, the Federal Republic was changed to a Unitary State. Ahmadou Ahidjo won the elections of 1975 and 1980. In November 1982; Ahmadou Ahidjo resigned for “health reasons” and was replaced by former Prime Minister Paul Biya, a Christian from the South. Ahidjo later on regretted his decision to resign, and the unsuccessful coup d’état that followed, carried out by his supporters forced him into exile in 1983.

Note #1
Doula is presently the economic capital of Cameroon. It is a coastal town.

With a surface area of 475,442km2 and a population of about 16.3 millions inhabitants (World Bank, 2005), the former French Cameroons and British Cameroons united in 1961 to form the present day Cameroon, an average country in Africa with a demographic rate of 1.8 % (World Bank, 2005) per annum, and with 47.2% of the Population living in the urban area. Found in Central Africa, Cameroon is a diverse range of cultures, sharing boundaries with the following Countries: the Central African Republic, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Nigeria. In Cameroon, the poverty rate is estimated at about 50%. The life expectancy rate according to the 2005 report of the United Nations Development Programme is 45.8 years, with 41.6 % of the population being below 15 years of age.

Cameroon has a variety of geographic features, composed of: plains, highlands, mountains such as Mount Cameroon which has an active volcano. Mount Cameroon is the highest mountain in Sub-Saharan Africa with a height of about 4,095 metres. Cameroon has a tropical humid climate in the South and is dry in the North. Temperatures range from about 25°C in the South and 32°C in the North. The North is also a harbour to plateaus, lakes, oceans and coasts. Around the mountainous zones in the West, the temperature varies with altitude and can get quite cool. Cameroon occupies a central position in the Continent and is well known for its bilingualism (English and French). Spanish and German are also spoken in some urban areas. Close to 240 local languages are spoken in Cameroon, corresponding to the 240 ethnic groups. Cameroon is a secular State with two principal religions: Christianity (35-40%) and Islam (15-20%). It is worth mentioning that a larger part of the Population is animist (45%).

Despite the numerous educational programmes, the literacy rate of the population who are 15 years and older remains at 67.9% according to the 2004 statistics of the U.N.D.P.

Politically, President Biya after taking over power in 19822 decided to make the principle of stability his main concern. With a majority in the National Assembly, the Presidential Party: the Cameroon Peoples Democratic Movement (C.P.D.M.) occupies the first rank. The opposition parties such as the Social Democratic Front (S.D.F.), l’Union Démocratique Camerounaise (U.D.C.), l’Union des Population du Cameroun (U.P.C.), the National Union for Democracy and Progress (N.U.D.P.) have lower capacity in the exercise of their political activities. Opposition parties have been around since 1991, but it wasn’t until January 2002 that 159 political Parties were officially legalised. There exist weak alliances between parties as well as internal party disagreement. The relationship between the party leadership and the elected candidates is dominated by questions regarding the terms of office which are regulated differently by the constitution3 and the electoral code. Cameroon is still in search of a stable party system which would be less concerned with the debates about the indigenous and non indigenous cleavages.

Note #2
He came to power on the 6th of November 1982 and was re-elected several times, the last being in October 2004.
Note #3
The Cameroon Constitution was approved by referendum in 1972 and revised in January 1996.

In Cameroon, the international Community is more concerned with the follow-up of reforms especially in matters of Good Governance4, decentralization, the development of the Northern part of the country and dialogue with the Anglophone minority group.

Note #4
This includes the fight against corruption and the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.

Cameroon by 1970 was very rich in hydrocarbon and according to the U.N.D.P. human development indexes in 2006 (ranked 144 out of 177 Countries), and must today diversify and consolidate its other resources related to agriculture (44%), industry (20%) and other services (45.2%). As a leading maritime power within the C.E.M.A.C. (Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa) zone, Cameroon represents 42.6% of the Gross Domestic Product (G.D.P.) through exports to the Countries of this region. This regional flow represents 5.4% of Cameroonian commercial exchange. Nevertheless, at the regional level, Cameroon remains relatively discrete though cooperation with neighbours of the franc zone and remains centred around trans-frontier security.

In the economic domain, internally, Cameroon is pre-occupied with finalising the ongoing dialogue with Bretton wood institutions for the establishment of the Debt Relief-Development Contract programme providing a re-injection in the economy of 100M€ per year for ten years.

Diplomatically, Cameroon at the International Court of Justice (I.C.J.) won the frontier dispute with Nigeria over the Bakassi Peninsular. In addition, Cameroon remains a refuge camp for the refugees from the Central African region.

Based on Parliamentary democracy, the President of Cameroon has a great range of powers that can be exercised without consulting the Parliament. The President, endowed with executive powers, is also the Chief of army. He is elected by universal suffrage for a term of seven years. He appoints the Prime Minister (who is the head of government) and presides over the Council of Ministers. The President has the power to dissolve the National Assembly and declare a state of emergency using a decree that confers on him such special powers. He may decide to prolong or shorten the legislative mandate as he sees fit.

The Legislative power in Cameroon is bi-cameral. The Members of Parliament (called the National Assembly) with 180 deputies are elected by universal suffrage for a term of five years. The country’s constitution provides an upper house of the Legislature (Senate), though it is not yet operational. The National Assembly which has the principal responsibility to enact laws has practically never stopped the voting of any legislation. Also it has the capacity to throw out of office the Prime Minister by a motion of censure or by refusing to grant him its confidence.

The Constitutional Council is the organ charged with handling Constitutional matters. It decides on the Constitutionality of laws, international treaties, internal regulations and conflicts of attribution between State institutions, between states and regions and between regions. It is also charged with in handling matters related to the Presidential and Legislative elections and referendums. Constitutional Council decisions are not susceptible to recourse. Though the Constitutional Council is not yet operational and considering the fact that it is not accessible to common citizens, bringing matters before it is limited to the president of the Republic, the Presidents of the two houses of parliament and 1/10 of the parliamentarians. The Supreme Court acts in its place in certain matters.

There exists another Higher Court of Justice which judges the president of the Republic in cases of high treason and members of government concerning cases of complicity against the security of the state. The Social and Economic Council has consultative duties. The power and independence of the Judiciary in Cameroon is enshrined but it is also submitted to political influence. The principal source of law is the 1972 Constitution (approved by referendum and revised in January 1996) derived from the French civil law system. However, previous to 1996, Cameroon adhered to the obligatory jurisdictions of the international court of justice.

In the northern part of the Country, powerful traditional chiefs have their personal armies, their courts of justice and prisons which they use against their political rivals. The level of corruption in the country remains high.

In regards to unionization Cameroon has general trade unions such as the confederation of Cameroon Workers Trade Unions (C.C.T.U.C.) and the Cameroon workers Trade Union (C.W.U.), as well as trade Unions with special vocations such as; the National Trade Unions of Higher Education Teachers, the National Trade Union of Agents and Secondary School Teachers, the National Organisation of Cameroon Teachers and the Cameroon Teachers Association, and others.

The current Human rights situation in Cameroon varies, between normal protection and weak mechanisms for protection. However, Cameroon continues her ratification of international conventions related to Human rights. The law no 2004/16 of 22 July 2007 created the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms (N.C.H.R.F.) which replaced the National Committee on Human Rights and Freedoms created in 1990 by a presidential decree.

The Cameroonian media sector is characterised by an increase in daily press issues although the numbers are not regularly released. The audio-visual sector which for long has been monopolised by the Cameroon Radio and Television (C.R.T.V.) is presently witnessing certain developments; also noted is the dynamism of private radio stations particularly in Douala and Yaoundé.

Thanks to Cameroon’s richness in petroleum resource and the favourable agricultural conditions, it may be said that Cameroon has one of the most promising economy in Sub Saharan Africa in terms of availability of raw materials.

The active economic group represents more than 41% of the total population. When we consider the age range to be 15 years and above, we realise that this group represents 60.90% of the population. Meanwhile the inactive population stands at 59.05%. This inactive population is essentially composed of; secondary school children and students (61.7%), house keepers (25.3%), retired property owners, aged persons, persons with disabilities and idlers (13%). Job seekers represent 29.95% of the active population in the rural areas versus 43.9% in the urban areas. Amongst persons without jobs and those searching for jobs (comprising both those from the villages and towns), 85% have never had a job. The active economic population is composed of 65.9% of farmers, graziers, hunters and fishermen; 14.3 % of workers or non-agricultural labourers; and 19.8% occupies other jobs. Amongst the active population, 56.9% are self employed, 20.1% are on a salary, and 19.7% serve as domestic workers while 2.9% are apprentices.

Crude oil and petroleum products, bauxite, iron minerals, wood, coffee, cocoa, cotton, rubber, banana, cereal, animal husbandry and aluminium are the principal resources. Frequent water borne diseases, deforestation, overexploitation of pastures, desertification, and destruction of wildlife and over-fishing are problems faced in Cameroon. In 1999, the rate of HIV/AIDS infected adults stood at 7.73%, and 540 000 lived with the illness, while 52000 died that same year.

It is in this context that Cameroon is to be examined on the question of the respects of the rights of persons with disabilities. Studies were conducted in three sites alphabetically classified in this order: Bafoussam, Bamenda and Yaounde.

The Research Sites

For this study, we explored these three sites Bafoussam, Bamenda and Yaoundé. In this paragraph, we shall provide a description of these three sites (A) and we shall emphasize the reasons for the choice of these sites with respect to the rights of persons with disabilities in Cameroon (B).

A: Description of the Research sites

1. Bafoussam

Bafoussam, the capital of the western province has a population of 1,843,518 inhabitants with a density of 132.7 inhabitants /km2 on a surface area of 13,896km2 and has 8 divisions. The population of Bafoussam is semi Bantus. It is a mountainous area with impressive water falls, large Bamelike Chieftaincies, and crater lakes. It is one of the provinces in Cameroon with traditional funerals5 an ngoun6.

Note #5
They perform carnivals during death ceremonies between the months of November and February.
Note #6
This is a great ceremony that unites all the Bamoun people, between the month of November and December.

Bafoussam remains a town bubbling with commercial activities. The town is a junction full of transit points where goods and provisions from the littoral, Centre, Northwest, Southwest and the entire Northern zones pass through the town. Bafoussam is a prosperous town that draws most of its revenue from the cultivation of Arabica coffee. That is why it is the headquarters of the Cooperative Union of Arabica coffee in the western Province (U.C.C.A.O.) which organises the harvesting, transformation and marketing of Arabica coffee, the agricultural pride of this region. Bafoussam which is the departure point to the neighbouring Bamileke chiefdoms, harbours many crafts centres where one can easily fine craftsmen at work.

Bafoussam is the principal town in the Bamileke region and in the Bamileke dialect; the word Bafoussam “fừ sap” means “treasure of the trench”. Historically, the land near the trench that separates the present day Bamun and Bafoussam was very rich. That land was called “fừsap”. The first inhabitants originated from Bamun (precisely from the Tikar plains) same as the Balengs, thus making them brothers. The main chiefs that have led the Bafoussam people are: Fotié, Tagho, Mambou 1919-1933, Tchountchoua Paul 1933-1958, and then Ngompé Elie. Today the chief of the village is also the mayor of the town and his name is NjitackNgompé Pelé.

The Bafoussam urban council was founded in 1926. It is under a Government delegate appointed by the president of the Republic. The municipal councillors of this community elect a head of the municipal council. French is the principal language that is spoken in Bafoussam. It contains certain support structures for persons with disabilities as well as pre-cooperatives such as A.N.A.C. found in the Mifi, Menoua and Nde divisions.

2. Bamenda

Bamenda is the capital of the Northwest province and an Anglophone agglomeration zone. At the entrance of the town, is the administrative quarter known as “Up Station” which is found on the hill top. Mankon-town which is directly below the administrative area undergoes rapid expansion due to the intense commercial activities in the area. Bamenda has a population of 1,702,559 inhabitants on a surface area of 17,300 / km2 covering 7 divisions. The population density is 98.4 inhabitants / km2. This mountainous province is a smooth continuity of the western province. It is covered with natural beauties such as: a green landscape, chiefdoms and waterfalls which qualify the province as a high traffic tourist site.

As a former base of the Europeans, Bamenda harbours administrative services and residences of senior civil servants. The presence of many craft centres enables visitors to appreciate the creative capacity of a population that attaches itself vigorously to its traditions and customs. Situated at an altitude of 1500m and 80km from the north of Bafoussam, Bamenda remains an attractive and booming town. At the basin, surrounded with cliffs, Bamenda stands on two levels: Maintown is the lower level with moderate houses and businesses, Bafreng manton occupies the upper level of the town.

This province and that of the southwest are the two regions of Cameroon that were colonised by the British. English is the main spoken language in this province.

In Cameroon, Bamenda is known for its demonstrations and uprisings which occur frequently due mainly to the activities of opposition parties such as the Social Democratic Front (S.D.F.) of Mr. Ni John Fru Ndi (one of the principal challengers of President Paul Biya in Cameroon). In Bamenda, there exist less than six structures which receive and cater for all types of persons with disabilities such as:

  • SAJUKA: Saint Joseph Children and Adult Room that takes care of disabled and blind persons;
  • MBINGO Agricultural Rehabilitation Centre for the Blind;
  • KUMBO Baptist integrated School for the Deaf;
  • BOYO Death Institute foe the Blind Bamenda Centre;
  • Shelter Workshop for Disables;
  • Seta Handicapped Training Centre for the Blind (Mbengwi);
  • A.N.A.C. Pre-cooperative, in the Mezam Division.

3. Yaoundé

It was founded in 1889 when the Germans opened a military post, on a hill in the Ewondo land. Yaoundé developed gradually because of the activities of German merchants who came to trade in ivory. It was occupied by Belgian troops during the First World War before being placed under French protectorate. Its growth was very slow in the beginning due to the rural exodus to Douala and it was exacerbated in 1957 with the crisis in the cocoa sector and internal problems. Yaoundé town was implanted within a chain of mountains, dominated by Mountain Febe which stands 1060 meters high. The different quarters are dispersed in a haphazard manner, leaving a greater part of the town for the cultivation of food crops and for vegetation. The average temperature in Yaounde is 22°C.

As the headquarters of the Centre province, the town of Yaoundé has a surface area of 68.953 km2 covering 10 Divisions and harbouring a population of about 2.272.259 inhabitants with an average density of 32.96 inhabitants /km2 (CIPRE, 2002). By law N° 87-15 of July 1987 of the Cameroon government, Yaounde was transformed from a rural to an urban council. The changes that occurred from “community” to “council” equally transformed and transferred duties and powers, shifting them from the Mayor to the Government Delegate, appointed by the presidency. The constitutional law of January 18th 1996 modified the system of the urban council which remained under the Government Delegate, but created 6 new urban councils (Yaoundé I, II, III, IV, V, VI and VII) endowed with elected Municipal councillors.

Divided into 7 divisions, Yaoundé has more than one hundred quarters, the most well-known being:

  • Bastos; A sophisticated residential area which harbours many restaurants and most of the important embassies;
  • Madagascar and Essos (quarters with great population)
  • Mokolo (great commercial quarter and a harbour to many markets and shops by the road sides. Here sellers and vehicle owners struggle to occupy the pavements. It is a dense quarter with diverse population).
  • Camp SIC hippodrome (former residential quarter situated in the former central town. It harbours many banks, a few ministries and restaurants).
  • La Briqueterie (also known as “la Brique”, is the Muslim quarter in Yaoundé. This quarter has a reputation of being dangerous, but we equally can find very delicious roasted meat (Soya).

Yaoundé is a tertiary town with very few industries such as: breweries, sawmills, workshops, tobacco, paper mill, mechanics, and construction materials. Yaoundé has an international airport (Nsimalen airport) near the entrance to the city. This province which harbours the political capital of the country, offers many attractive sites to visitors, including:

  • The numerous natural sites of the province such as the Akok-Bekoe cave.
  • The different monuments and the traces of colonisation such as: the statue of Charles Atangana, the first chief of he Ewondo people who are the main ethnic group of the capital.
  • The Ottomo forest reserve (in Ngounou).

In terms of structures that rehabilitate persons with disabilities, there are many amongst which we can site the following:

  • ESEDA (Specialise school for the children who are deaf);
  • PROM.HANDI.CAM. (Service that promotes persons with disabilities in Cameroon);
  • L’Externat Medico Pédagogique “Colombe”;
  • Bobine d’Or;
  • National centre for the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities;
  • Workshop for the protection of persons with disabilities;

A.N.A.C. pre cooperatives in Mfoundi, Mbam, Nyong, Mfoumou and Lekie

B: Reasons for our choice of these sites

Looking at the above description, we realise that these sites offer a many advantages for studying the human rights situation of persons with disabilities in Cameroon. Taking a collective and individual view, these sites can be said to represent the Cameroonian society due to:

  • Their linguistic diversity (English/French) offering a good representation of the population of persons with disabilities in Cameroon;
  • Their large and mixed/diverse population providing a good representation of the sex and age ratios of persons with disabilities;
  • The diversity of the activities being carried out (from agricultural, industrial to craftsmanship and office activities etc) ;
  • the standard of living of the population; and a broad social representation of persons with disabilities in Cameroon (poverty, wealth, illiteracy, literacy…);
  • Given the lack of recent and concrete data on persons with disability in Cameroon7 on which to base a strategy for participants’ recruitment, the presence of institutions in charge of persons with disabilities in these cities also offered the advantage of facilitating a connection with this population.
  • Their geographical positions (Centre, Western and North West provinces), which is offer a rich advantage in terms of the representation and diversity of the various ethnic groups which constitute the population of Cameroon.
Note #7
The first and only census on persons with disabilities in Cameroon was conducted between 1984-1985. The results were made public between 1986-1987. Ninety two thousands, one hundred and eighty (92,180) persons with disabilities were enumerated, and fifty five thousand, eight hundred and twenty three (55,823) men, an thirty six thousand, five hundred and fifty seven (36,557) women. Due to the numerous constraints, the census could not cover the national territory; therefore it ended up being a sample study. Of the following category persons; blind, deaf, mobility impaired, the amputated, mentally deranged, mutilated, lame and paralysed etc …

In conclusion, one can say that, together these towns are a good representation of Cameroon If we had considered just a unique site for this study, we would not have gotten the expected results.

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