Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative: Cameroon suspended over 200 million FCFA scandal.

By Cyprian Ntiamba Obi Ntui in Yaounde

In line with warnings issued before now, Cameroon has finally been suspended from the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, EITI over alleged embezzlement of 200 million FCFA and other issues. According to a statement sent to The Guardian Post by officials of EITI, the institution is bent on forcing the Biya regime to exhibit transparency in the governance, use and management of natural resources such as oil, gas and minerals. They added that their effort helps to ensure that there is no plunder and waste in the exploitation and use of these natural resources in any given country.

As a signatory to the international body, they stated that Cameroon has failed in these areas, notably the publication of its activities especially as it concerns the 2018 report of the EITI Cameroon office. Officials indicated that, in the 2018 report, the country office of the EITI headed by Anges Solange Ondigui Owona was queried over expenditures amounting to some 200 million FCFA; a query for which neither the government nor country officials had responded to. As a consequence therefore, and with effect from April 1, 2021 Cameroon was slammed a suspension.