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2007 Assessment

Cameroon: Integrity Indicators Scorecard

Cameroon: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Civil Service Regulations
Indicators		Score
41	Are there national regulations for the civil service encompassing, at least, the managerial and professional staff?	75
42	Is the law governing the administration and civil service effective?	31
43	Are there regulations addressing conflicts of interest for civil servants?	46
44	Can citizens access the asset disclosure records of senior civil servants?	0

Indicator and sub-Indicator Details

Are there national regulations for the civil service encompassing, at least, the managerial and professional staff?

41a: In law, there are regulations requiring an impartial, independent and fairly managed civil service.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: The Cameronian public office is governed by Decree N°90/199 of October 7, 1994, concerning statutes general of the public office of the State

Peer Review Comments: Yes, but in practice, it is different.

41b: In law, there are regulations to prevent nepotism, cronyism, and patronage within the civil service.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: In accordance with Articles 131, 135 and 136 of the Penal Code

Peer Review Comments: Yes, but in practice, it is different.

41c: In law, there is an independent redress mechanism for the civil service.

Score:

YES

$Scoring Criteria :: YES: A YES score is earned if there is a mechanism to which civil servants and applicants for the civil service can take grievances regarding civil service management actions. Civil servants are able to appeal the mechanism\'s decisions to the judiciary. NO: A NO score is earned if no such mechanism exists.$

Comments:

References: There is no such mechanism in Cameroon.

41d: In law, civil servants convicted of corruption are prohibited from future government employment.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: In accordance with Article 134 (3) of the Penal Code.

Peer Review Comments: Yes, but in practice, it is different.

Is the law governing the administration and civil service effective?

42a: In practice, civil servants are protected from political interference.

Score:

100

Comments:

42b: In practice, civil servants are appointed and evaluated according to professional criteria.

Score:

100

Comments:

42c: In practice, civil service management actions (e.g. hiring, firing, promotions) are not based on nepotism, cronyism, or patronage.

Score:

100

Comments:

Peer Review Comments: On the contrary, they are based on nepotism, cronyism and patronage.

42d: In practice, civil servants have clear job descriptions.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: Civil servants almost always have formal job descriptions establishing levels of seniority, assigned functions, and compensation. Job descriptions are a reliable means to map positions to both human capital requirements (including the position\'s authority and responsibilities) and base pay. 50 Score Criteria: Civil servants often have formal job descriptions, but exceptions exist. Some civil servants may not be part of the formal assignment of duties and compensations. Some job descriptions may not map clearly to pay or responsibilities in some cases. 0 Score Criteria: Civil servants do not have formal roles or job descriptions. If they do, such job descriptions have little or nothing to do with the position\'s responsibilities, authority, or pay.$

Comments:

42e: In practice, civil servant bonuses constitute only a small faction of total pay.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: Civil servant bonuses constitute no more than 10% of total pay and do not represent a major element of take-home pay. 50 Score Criteria: Civil servant bonuses are generally a small percentage of total take-home pay for most civil servants though exceptions exist where some civil servants\' bonuses represent a significant part of total pay. 0 Score Criteria: Most civil servants receive bonuses that represent a significant amount of total take-home pay. In some cases bonuses represent the majority of total pay to civil servants.$

Comments:

References: Claude Momo Foumthim, "Fonction publique et ajustement structurel en Arique Noire : l'exemple du Cameroun", Thèse de Doctorat en droit public, Université Montesquieu Bordeaux IV, 2002 - Roger-Gabriel Nlep, "Ladministration publique camerounaise, Contribution à létude des systèmes africains dadministration publique", Paris, Lgdj, 1986 Maurice Kamto, "Pouvoir et Droit en Afrique : Essai sur les fondements du constitutionnalisme dans les Etats dAfrique Noire Francophone", Paris, Lgdj, 1987 - Augustin Kontchou Kouomegni, "Administration publique et politique en Afrique Francophone (Nord et Sud du Sahara", in Colloque sur « La problématique de lEtat en Afrique Noire », Dakar, 29 novembre 3 décembre 1982, Paris, Présence Africaine, 1984 - Manasse Aboya Endong, "Parti administratif, transitions démocratiques et patrimonialisme en Afrique noire francophone", in Solon, N°3, janvier, 2007 - Célestin Keutcha Tchapgna, Les mutations récentes du droit administratif camerounais, In Afrilex 2000/1

42f: In practice, the government publishes the number of authorized civil service positions along with the number of positions actually filled.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: - Claude Momo Foumthim, Fonction publique et ajustement structurel en Arique Noire : l'exemple du Cameroun, Thèse de Doctorat en droit public, Université Montesquieu Bordeaux IV, 2002. - Roger-Gabriel Nlep, Ladministration publique camerounaise, Contribution à létude des systèmes africains dadministration publique, Paris, Lgdj, 1986. Maurice Kamto, Pouvoir et Droit en Afrique : Essai sur les fondements du constitutionnalisme dans les Etats dAfrique Noire Francophone, Paris, Lgdj, 1987. - Augustin Kontchou Kouomegni, Administration publique et politique en Afrique Francophone (Nord et Sud du Sahara », in Colloque sur « La problématique de lEtat en Afrique Noire », Dakar, 29 novembre 3 décembre 1982, Paris, Présence Africaine, 1984. - Célestin Keutcha Tchapgna, Les mutations récentes du droit administratif camerounais, In Afrilex 2000/1. - Gina Clarisse Moneze, Michel Towa Koh, Les TIC dans la gouvernance et la lutte contre la corruption, in Newsletter N°1, ACSIS Cameroun, 2006 ([ LINK ]). - Guido Bertucci, Léthique dans la fonction publique en Afrique, Vol. 2, UN, UNDP, New-York, 2002 (unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/UN/UNPAN006155.pdf).

Peer Review Comments: I never see it.

Peer Review Comments: Nothing of that sort happens.

42g: In practice, the independent redress mechanism for the civil service is effective.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Claude Momo Foumthim, Fonction publique et ajustement structurel en Arique Noire : l'exemple du Cameroun, Thèse de Doctorat en droit public, Université Montesquieu Bordeaux IV, 2002. - Roger-Gabriel Nlep, Ladministration publique camerounaise, Contribution à létude des systèmes africains dadministration publique, Paris, Lgdj, 1986. Maurice Kamto, Pouvoir et Droit en Afrique : Essai sur les fondements du constitutionnalisme dans les Etats dAfrique Noire Francophone, Paris, Lgdj, 1987. - Augustin Kontchou Kouomegni, Administration publique et politique en Afrique Francophone (Nord et Sud du Sahara », in Colloque sur « La problématique de lEtat en Afrique Noire », Dakar, 29 novembre 3 décembre 1982, Paris, Présence Africaine, 1984. - Célestin Keutcha Tchapgna, Les mutations récentes du droit administratif camerounais, In Afrilex 2000/1. - Gina Clarisse Moneze, Michel Towa Koh, Les TIC dans la gouvernance et la lutte contre la corruption, in Newsletter N°1, ACSIS Cameroun, 2006. ([ LINK ]). - Guido Bertucci, Léthique dans la fonction publique en Afrique, Vol. 2, UN, UNDP, New-York, 2002 (unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/UN/UNPAN006155.pdf).

42h: In practice, in the past year, the government has paid civil servants on time.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: - Claude Momo Foumthim, "Fonction publique et ajustement structurel en Arique Noire : l'exemple du Cameroun," Thèse de Doctorat en droit public, Université Montesquieu Bordeaux IV, 2002 - Roger-Gabriel Nlep, "Ladministration publique camerounaise, Contribution à létude des systèmes africains dadministration publique", Paris, Lgdj, 1986. Maurice Kamto, "Pouvoir et Droit en Afrique : Essai sur les fondements du constitutionnalisme dans les Etats dAfrique Noire Francophone", Paris, Lgdj, 1987. - Augustin Kontchou Kouomegni, "Administration publique et politique en Afrique Francophone (Nord et Sud du Sahara" , in Colloque sur « La problématique de lEtat en Afrique Noire », Dakar, 29 novembre 3 décembre 1982, Paris, Présence Africaine, 1984. - Célestin Keutcha Tchapgna, "Les mutations récentes du droit administratif camerounais," In Afrilex 2000/1. - Gina Clarisse Moneze, Michel Towa Koh, "Les TIC dans la gouvernance et la lutte contre la corruption," in Newsletter N°1, ACSIS Cameroun, 2006 ([ LINK ]). - Guido Bertucci, "Léthique dans la fonction publique en Afrique", Vol. 2, UN, UNDP, New-York, 2002 (unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/UN/UNPAN006155.pdf). - Justin-Blaise Akono, "Endettement : L`Etat doit encore 994 milliards Fcfa à ses contribuables", in Mutations, 09/02/2007. - François Bambou, "Révélations sur la hausse des salaires", in La Nouvelle Expression, 11/10/2006.

Peer Review Comments: Give or take two days.

42i: In practice, civil servants convicted of corruption are prohibited from future government employment.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: - Alfred Ngando, "Affaire Titus Edzoa : Revue de presse camerounaise," Paris, L'Harmattan, 2000. - Benoît Balla, "Affaire Titus Edzoa : on attend le verdict," in Cameroon-info.net, ([ LINK ]). - Richard Touna, "Etonde Ekoto et Booto à Ngon livrés à la justice," in Le Messager, 06/10/2006 ([ LINK ]). - Pierre Titti Nwell," De la corruption au Cameroun," Yaoundé, Gerddes-Cameroun et Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, 2001. - Fabien Eboussi Boulaga, Valentin S. Zinga, "La lutte contre la corruption: impossible est-il camerounais?" Yaoundé, PUA, 2002.

Are there regulations addressing conflicts of interest for civil servants?

43a: In law, there are requirements for civil servants to recuse themselves from policy decisions where their personal interests may be affected.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: - Article 132, 135 of the Penal Code.

43b: In law, there are restrictions for civil servants entering the private sector after leaving the government.

Score:

YES

$Scoring Criteria :: YES: A YES score is earned if there are regulations restricting civil servants\' ability to take positions in the private sector after leaving government that would present a conflict of interest, including positions that directly seek to influence their former government colleagues. NO: A NO score is earned if no such restrictions exist.$

Comments:

References: There are no legal provisions concerning this aspect.

43c: In law, there are regulations governing gifts and hospitality offered to civil servants.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: In accordance with Decree n°90/199 of October 7, 1994 concerning the statutes general of the public offices of the State.

Peer Review Comments: Yes, but the dispositions of the law are never applied.

43d: In practice, the regulations restricting post-government private sector employment for civil servants are effective.

Score:

100

Comments:

Peer Review Comments: There are no such restrictions.

Peer Review Comments: In Cameroon there are many civil servants who run businesses of their own even while in office then want more of a post-government situation.

43e: In practice, the regulations governing gifts and hospitality offered to civil servants are effective.

Score:

100

Comments:

Peer Review Comments: Civil servants receive gifts with impunity.

Peer Review Comments:

43f: In practice, the requirements for civil service recusal from policy decisions affecting personal interests are effective.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: - François Bambou, Révélations sur la hausse des salaires, in La Nouvelle Expression, 11/10/2006. - Alfred Ngando, Affaire Titus Edzoa : Revue de presse camerounaise, Paris, LHarmattan, 2000 . - Benoît Balla, Affaire Titus Edzoa : on attend le verdict, in Cameroon-info.net, ([ LINK ]). - Richard Touna, Etonde Ekoto et Booto à Ngon livrés à la justice, in Le Messager, 06/10/2006 ([ LINK ]). - Pierre Titti Nwell, De la corruption au Cameroun, Yaoundé, Gerddes-Cameroun et Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, 2001. - Fabien Eboussi Boulaga, Valentin S. Zinga, La lutte contre la corruption: impossible est-il camerounais?, PUA, 2002. - Lucien Ayissi, Corruption et gouvernance, Yaoundé, PUA, 2003.

Peer Review Comments: They are players and referees at same time.

Can citizens access the asset disclosure records of senior civil servants?

44a: In law, citizens can access the asset disclosure records of senior civil servants.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: There are no legal provisions concerning this aspect.

Peer Review Comments: The legal framework is not yet complete.

44b: In practice, citizens can access the asset disclosure records of senior civil servants within a reasonable time period.

Score:

100

Comments:

44c: In practice, citizens can access the asset disclosure records of senior civil servants at a reasonable cost.

Score:

100

Comments:

Peer Review Comments: The legal framework is not yet complete.

Peer Review Comments:

Peer Review Comments: Such records do not exist.