GCI Updates

On the morning following elections, emotions are all over the map here in the GCI office: frustration, apathy, anger, and hope are all prevalent as our staff members recount their experiences yesterday. When one examines the elections process and how the presidential vote was carried out here in Cameroon, it’s easy to see how these […]

(updated post-election) Overview In 2011, the African continent saw waves of post-election violence, most notably in Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea. The disputes and unrest have arisen from hotly-contested election results, executive strongmen refusing to relinquish power, and persistent political, and ethnic tension, pushing some African countries to the brink of civil war. The people of

As the October 9th presidential election rapidly approaches, reports continue to surface about government-sponsored violations on Cameroonian civil liberties and foul play in organizaing the election. Voter apathy and potential polling boycotts notwithstanding, Cameroonian citizens deserve a free and fair election that respects the freedoms enumerated in their country’s constitution. First, free press and free

Tensions continue to escalate in Cameroon as the October 9th presidential elections draw closer. Concerns about the economy, the country’s rampant corruption, and Paul Biya’s longtime tenure as President continue to incense voters. However, here in the Anglophone region of the country, linguistic marginalization is also a major issue. For years, the English-speaking minority in

Early this morning, gunmen wearing army uniforms blockaded a major bridge crossing the Wouri river for several hours, holding up traffic and firing at city policemen. The gunmen were holding signs denouncing current Cameroonian President Paul Biya, who is running for re-election on October 9. This pre-election violence is indicative of the tensions surrounding the

Yesterday, Njume, Ebeny, Tessa, and Daniella headed to Mofako for their weekly CAM’s Project visit. The team had a packed agenda, including scheduled meetings for the gender equality and mob justice initiatives. The team conducted its regular observations of the traditional council, noticing a marked absence of palm wine consumption during proceedings and overall calm,

Today, Tessa, Daniella, and Njume conducted a CAM’s visit to Mofako Bekondo to meet with Chief Ekumbe Thompson Itoe as well as the heads of the women’s council, women’s social group, and vigilante group. It was Tessa’s first time visiting Mofako, so the trip also served to orient her with the village, the community, and

There is no human rights without freedom from hunger. There are no human rights without freedom from poverty, hunger, disease, ignorance, illiteracy, and oppression—vices which contribute in reducing human dignity and worth. Governments have the mandate to protect these ideals with a goal to improving and making life more meaningful. The challenge is to fight

On the 6th of February two new interns arrived in Kumba, Catherine from the United States and Erlyn from the Netherlands. The next morning they immediately started to work at the office. The first week was marked by reading all the reports of the previous interns. Besides reading the reports the government officials in Kumba

Global Conscience Initiative has called on the Cameroon judicial hierarchy to investigate and prosecute those who have abused and tortured prisoners in Kumba. The call to all levels of judicial authority follows a thorough investigation and report by Global Conscience Initiative into the torture and medical neglect of prisoners by administrators at Kumba Principal Prison.