National Anti-Corruption Observatory
Encyclopedia
The National Anti-Corruption Observatory is a government body in Cameroon
that investigates political corruption
, organises anti-corruption initiatives, and monitors the government's anti-corruption efforts. The observatory is made up of 15 members and is part of the office of the prime minister
. The body has no legal enforcement powers; relevant government bodies must prosecute any corruption allegations.
The observatory was founded in January 2000 by President Paul Biya
, then under pressure to respond to allegations of human rights violations in Cameroon. The U.S. State Department
and Transparency International
criticise the body as largely ineffectual due to its inability to prosecute accused corrupt members of government and its alleged lack of concrete accomplishments. The observatory received no funding in 2004, which the U.S. State Department cites as further proof of Cameroon's lukewarm approach to fighting corruption.
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
that investigates political corruption
Political corruption
Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
, organises anti-corruption initiatives, and monitors the government's anti-corruption efforts. The observatory is made up of 15 members and is part of the office of the prime minister
Prime Minister of Cameroon
Under the current constitution of Cameroon, the Prime Minister of Cameroon is a relatively powerless executive. While the Prime Minister is officially appointed to be the head of government, the President retains most of the executive power and can fire the Prime Minister at will.-History:The...
. The body has no legal enforcement powers; relevant government bodies must prosecute any corruption allegations.
The observatory was founded in January 2000 by President Paul Biya
Paul Biya
Paul Biya is a Cameroonian politician who has been the President of Cameroon since 6 November 1982. A native of Cameroon's south, Biya rose rapidly as a bureaucrat under President Ahmadou Ahidjo in the 1960s, serving as Secretary-General of the Presidency from 1968 to 1975 and then as Prime...
, then under pressure to respond to allegations of human rights violations in Cameroon. The U.S. State Department
United States Department of State
The United States Department of State , is the United States federal executive department responsible for international relations of the United States, equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries...
and Transparency International
Transparency International
Transparency International is a non-governmental organization that monitors and publicizes corporate and political corruption in international development. It publishes an annual Corruption Perceptions Index, a comparative listing of corruption worldwide...
criticise the body as largely ineffectual due to its inability to prosecute accused corrupt members of government and its alleged lack of concrete accomplishments. The observatory received no funding in 2004, which the U.S. State Department cites as further proof of Cameroon's lukewarm approach to fighting corruption.