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2007 Assessment

Cameroon: Integrity Indicators Scorecard

Cameroon: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Legislative Accountability
Indicators		Score
29	Can members of the legislature be held accountable for their actions?	42
30	Are there regulations governing conflicts of interest by members of the national legislature?	32
31	Can citizens access the asset disclosure records of members of the national legislature?	0
32	Can citizens access legislative processes and documents?	25

Indicator and sub-Indicator Details

Can members of the legislature be held accountable for their actions?

29a: In law, the judiciary can review laws passed by the legislature.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: In accordance with article 47(1) of the Constitution of January 18, 1996 (www.prc.cm).

Peer Review Comments: The judiciary doesn't make laws; it applies them.

29b: In practice, when necessary, the judiciary reviews laws passed by the legislature.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: - Alain Didier Olinga, "La Constitution de la République du Cameroun,"Yaoundé, Presses de l'UCAC, 2006. - Luc Sindjoun, La Cour suprême, la compétition électorale et la continuité politique au Cameroun : la construction de la démocratie passive, in Africa Development, Vol. 19. N° 2. 1994.

Peer Review Comments: The judiciary makes judgments.

29c: In law, are members of the national legislature subject to criminal proceedings?

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: In accordance with Article 14( 6) of the Constitution in relation to Ordinance No 72/12 of August 26, 1972, fixing the mode of immunities of the deputies of the National Assembly.

Peer Review Comments: Mais l'Assemblée nationale peut être convoquée pour désaissir un député de son immunité et permettre à la justice de le poursuivre.

Peer Review Comments: MPs are not only liable to criminal proceedings, but some have seen the parliamentary immunity lifted recently for them to face criminal charges. This was the case of the former board chairman of the Port Authority, Hon. Edouard Etonde Ekotto and Hon. Andre Boto'o a Ngon, who is also a former minister.

Are there regulations governing conflicts of interest by members of the national legislature?

30a: In law, members of the national legislature are required to file an asset disclosure form.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: In accordance with Article 66 of the Constitution of January 18, 1996, concerning the declaration of goods.

Peer Review Comments: The legal framework has been under preparation since 1996.

Peer Review Comments: This is not yet implemented, for the reasons developed in 26a, which are: Article 66 of the Constitution is rather a framework from which specific laws can be voted to implement some aspects. Last year (April 2006), after several years of advocacy by the National Chapter of Transparency International, the MP adopted a law on the declaration of assets based on article 66 of the Constitution (dated 1996). But that law has not yet entered into power, because the head of state has to sign a decree to fix up the conditions of its application, as the rule says.

30b: In law, there are restrictions for national legislators entering the private sector after leaving the government.

Score:

YES

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

Comments:

References: In accordance with Article 22(4) of Law n°91/20 of December 16, 1991 fixing the conditions for election of deputies of the National Assembly

30c: In law, there are regulations governing gifts and hospitality offered to members of the national legislature.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: In accordance with articles 75, 76, 77, 79 of the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly

30d: In law, there are requirements for the independent auditing of the asset disclosure forms of members of the national legislature.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: in Accordance with Article 14 (6) of the Constitution, in relation to Ordinance No 72/12 of August 26, 1972, fixing the mode of immunities of the deputies of the National Assembly.

30e: In practice, the regulations restricting post-government private sector employment for national legislators are effective.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: - Manasse Aboya Endong, Parlement et parlementaires au Cameroun : compte-rendu de lhistoire dun contenant sans contenu?, in Solon, revue africaine de parlementarisme et de démocratie, volume 1, 1999. - Ebenezer Njoh-Mouellé, Député de la nation, Yaoundé, Presses de lUcac, 2001. - Janvier Onana, Le sacre des indigènes évolués. Essai sur la professionnalisation politique (le cas du Cameroun), Paris, Dianoïa, 2004.

Peer Review Comments: These legislators do business both when they hold office and after they leave Parliament.

Peer Review Comments: Actually, it depends on the political party the former legislators belonged to.

30f: In practice, the regulations governing gifts and hospitality offered to national legislators are effective.

Score:

100

Comments:

Peer Review Comments: They do as they wish!!

Peer Review Comments: This is not really effective. They don't often declare what they receive.

30g: In practice, national legislative branch asset disclosures are audited.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: - Célestin Keutcha Tchapgna, "Les immunités parlementaires en droit camerounais : réflexion sur une exception au principe de légalité des citoyens devant la loi", in RJPIC, N°2, May1998. - Manasse Aboya Endong, "Parlement et parlementaires au Cameroun : compte-rendu de lhistoire dun contenant sans contenu ?" in Solon, revue africaine de parlementarisme et de démocratie, volume 1, 1999. - Jean-Claude Abaa Oyono, "Un air de printemps dans le droit parlementaire du Cameroun," in Jurdis politique, n°54, April-May-June 2003. - Albert Mandjack, L'Assemblée Nationale au Cameroun dans le miroir de lautoritarisme, Solon, vol.1, n°1, 2nd semestre 1999. - Ebenezer Njoh-Mouellé, "Député de la nation", Yaoundé, Presses de lUcac, 2001. - Samuel Efoua Mbozoo, "Pratiques et procédures parlementaires," Yaoundé, éditions Hérodote, 1999.

Can citizens access the asset disclosure records of members of the national legislature?

31a: In law, citizens can access the asset disclosure records of members of the national legislature.

Score:

YES

Comments: The implementation of personal asset disclosures has not yet fully taken effect. But citizens cannot access the asset disclosure records of members of the national legislature regardless.

References: In accordance with Article 14 (6) of the Constitution in relation to Ordinance No 72/12 of August 26, 1972, fixing the mode of immunities of the deputies of the National Assembly.

31b: In practice, citizens can access legislative asset disclosure records within a reasonable time period.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: - Célestin Keutcha Tchapgna, "Les immunités parlementaires en droit camerounais : réflexion sur une exception au principe de légalité des citoyens devant la loi", in RJPIC, N°2, May 1998. - Manasse Aboya Endong, "Parlement et parlementaires au Cameroun : compte-rendu de lhistoire dun contenant sans contenu ?", in Solon, revue africaine de parlementarisme et de démocratie, volume 1, 1999. - Jean-Claude Abaa Oyono, "Un air de printemps dans le droit parlementaire du Cameroun," in Juridis politique, n°54, April-May-June 2003. - Albert Mandjack," LAssemblée Nationale au Cameroun dans le miroir de lautoritarisme," in Solon, vol.1, n°1, 2nd semestre 1999. - Ebenezer Njoh-Mouellé, "Député de la nation", Yaoundé, Presses de lUcac, 2001.

Peer Review Comments: There is no available framework for that.

Peer Review Comments: Asset disclosure is a provision of the constitution that has never been not applied, so asset disclosure records do not exist and therefore cannot be assessed by citizens.

31c: In practice, citizens can access legislative asset disclosure records at a reasonable cost.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: - Albert Mandjack, "LAssemblée Nationale au Cameroun dans le miroir de lautoritarisme," Solon, vol.1, n°1, 2nd semestre 1999. - Ebenezer Njoh-Mouellé, "Député de la nation," Yaoundé, Presses de lUcac, 2001. - Samuel Efoua Mbozoo, "Pratiques et procédures parlementaires", Yaoundé, éditions Hérodote, 1999. - Alim Garga, Cameroon National Assembly, "Innovations et opportunités du système dinformation parlementaire," in Library and Research Services for Parliaments Section, Research Day. IFLA Pre-Conference Meeting, Valparaiso Chile 17-19 August, 2004.

Can citizens access legislative processes and documents?

32a: In law, citizens can access records of legislative processes and documents.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: there are no legal provisions in this field

Peer Review Comments: Records are available upon request.

32b: In practice, citizens can access records of legislative processes and documents within a reasonable time period.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: - Jean-Claude Abaa Oyono, "un air de printemps dans le droit parlementaire du Cameroun," in Juridis politique, n°54, April-May-June 2003. - Albert Mandjack, "L'Assemblée Nationale au Cameroun dans le miroir de lautoritarisme," Solon, vol.1, n°1, 2nd semestre 1999. - Ebenezer Njoh-Mouellé, "Député de la nation," Yaoundé, Presses de lUcac, 2001. - Samuel Efoua Mbozoo, "Pratiques et procédures parlementaires," Yaoundé, éditions Hérodote, 1999.

Peer Review Comments: Legislative proceedings are only made available to citizens under very special conditions and with a lot of effort. This may be for purely academic reasons among others.

32c: In practice, citizens can access records of legislative processes and documents at a reasonable cost.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: - Alim Garga, Cameroon National Assembly, "Innovations et opportunités du système dinformation parlementaire," in Library and Research Services for Parliaments Section, Research Day. IFLA Pre-Conference Meeting, Valparaiso Chile 17-19 August, 2004 (www.cm.refer.org/assnat-cm). -Samuel Efoua Mbozoo, "Pratiques et procédures parlementaires," Yaoundé, éditions Hérodote, 1999.

Peer Review Comments: L'un des problèmes de fond concerne la difficulté d'accéder à ces ressources documentaires.