Kamto condemns MINAT’s suspension of REDHAC’s as attack on human rights

Synthia Lateu

Opposition leader, CRM Maurice Kamto has described the suspension of the Central Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (REDHAC) by the Ministry of Territorial Administration (MINAT) as a serious blow to the defense of freedoms and human rights in Cameroon. “This is a clear indication of the government’s intentions on the eve of 2025, a crucial electoral year.” Kamto remarked in asocial media post reacting to the government’s move.
“Such a blow must keep Cameroonians on their toes and in permanent mobilization against a dictatorship that has been suffocating the country for a very long time” he added and urged the Minister of Territorial Administration, Atanga Nji Paul to reconsider his decision and to allow REDHAC additional time to comply with any laws that may have been violated.
He highlighted that the alledged threat to the integrity of the national financial system’ cited by MINAT for suspending the right group falls within the remit of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), which is responsible for fighting money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
Activities of REDHAC 1 & 2 alongside other NGOs including, Reach Out Cameroon, Nanje Foundation INC, and Association Charitable Socioculturelle (ACS) have been suspended throughout the national territory for three months. They were accused of illegal funding, failure to justify received funds, non-compliance with regulations governing NGO activities, and lack of proper authorization.
Minister Atanga Nji stated in a communiqué on December 6th, 2024 that these organizations could face prosecution, charging regional and local administrations with ensuring the implementation order. The decision to suspend the organisation MINAT said, followed extensive investigations by ANIF and other regulatory bodies, which uncovered irregular financial activities amounting to an estimated 16 billion CFA francs over the past two years.