The lawyer deplores the current economic situation in Cameroon, where fuel prices have risen for the second time in less than a year.

“Fuel prices are skyrocketing, causing distress among Cameroonian citizens. In order for the people to accept the measures that bring them hardship, they need to understand the reasons behind it. However, the oil sector in our country is shrouded in opacity, leaving simple questions unanswered.

Why haven’t we had our own refinery to process our own oil? Why have we not rebuilt our own refinery since the fire disaster of 2019? How could SONARA, an important refining company, neglect to pay for insurance, resulting in it being invalidated by reinsurance companies? What are the processes involved in selling crude oil and importing refined products? Why was the Minister of Energy removed from the process? Why do we continue to conduct business with a corrupt ( based on its own confession) company like GLENCORE?

How is it possible for GLENCORE to purchase our crude oil below world prices and receive a discount of up to 30%? Why isn’t the government demanding significant compensation from GLENCORE, especially after their confession of engaging in massive corruption? Why are we allowing GLENCORE to hide behind confidentiality clauses? It is widely known that confidentiality cannot cover up criminal activities. How was the trader VITOL able to buy our crude at 70% below world prices in 2020? VITOL has already admitted corruption and fraud in some Latin American countries.

With such opacity and questionable practices, how can we expect citizens to trust a government influenced by a mafia constituted of small group of unpatriotic citizens? Is there any logic in expecting those at the origin of our misery to have the capacity to find solutions?