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By Matthew Russell Lee, New Platform

UNITED NATIONS, November 3 – After Inner City Press repeatedly asked UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and his spokesman about Cameroon's Internet cut-off and abuses, the UN's answer after its Resident Coordinator Najat Rochdi was shown to block the Press and then left for the Central African Republic was that the UN Office on Central Africa (UNOCA) envoy Francois Lounceny Fall would be visiting in May. This turned out to be misleading like so much with today's UN system - including the International Monetary Fund. After the IMF told Inner City Press is viewed Yaounde's policies toward the Anglophone areas as a fiscal risk, on June 26 the IMF board handed the Biya government $171 million. Now on November 3, this has been issued by the IMF: "An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team, led by Ms. Corinne Deléchat, visited Yaoundé from October 24 to November 3, 2017 to conduct discussions for the first review of the program supported by an Extended Credit Facility (ECF) that was approved in June this year. At the conclusion of this visit, Ms. Deléchat issued the following statement: “The IMF team reached staff level agreement with the authorities on economic and financial policies that could support approval of the first review of their three-year program under the ECF. The IMF Executive Board is expected to consider the first review mid-December 2017. The completion of the first review would enable a second disbursement of SDR 82.8 million (about US$116.3 million). The country's economic program has remained on track, despite a challenging backdrop. All quantitative performance criteria under the program for end-June 2017 have been met. In addition, all structural benchmarks through end-October have been implemented except for two, which have been modified. The authorities have also implemented measures to improve revenue mobilization, increase transparency of budget execution, enhance cash management and maintain financial sector stability. Growth is decelerating, mostly due to weaker oil production....Furthermore, the team and the authorities agreed on the necessity to implement without delays measures to strengthen the financial sector, enhance the business environment to boost private sector investment and economic diversification, and achieve a more inclusive growth. The team met with Prime Minister Philémon Yang, Minister Secretary General at the Presidency Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, Minister of Finance Alamine Ousmane Mey, Minister of Economy, Planning, and Regional Development Louis Paul Motaze, BEAC National Director Jean-Marie Mani, and other senior officials and representatives of the diplomatic community, development partners and private sector. “The team wishes to thank the Cameroonian authorities for their hospitality, cooperation, and the constructive dialogue." Did they get a golden statue like Antonio Guterres took from Paul Biya on October 27? Back on October 13 after Inner City Press asked the IMF during its Africa press conference during its Annual meeting, about the rising crisis in Southern Cameroon, the IMF's Abebe Aemro Selassie Director of the IMF's African Department, said on camera that it is hard to assess the impacts but the IMF tries to pay heed to "situations like the one you refer to." Really? (He was upbeat on Gabon, too, with no reference to the protests.) On August 30, the IMF issued this breezy update: "An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team, led by Corinne Deléchat, visited Yaoundé during August 22–29, 2017 to review recent economic developments and discuss the 2018 budget and medium-term budget framework.
 
On June 26, 2017, the IMF Executive Board approved a three-year arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) with Cameroon for SDR 483 million (about US$666 million) or 175 percent of Cameroon’s IMF quota, to support the country’s economic and financial reforms (See Press Release 17/248).
 
The program will support the Cameroonian authorities’ reform plan to rebuild fiscal and external buffers and lay the foundations for sustainable, private sector-led growth. It will also contribute to the collective effort of restoring and preserving external stability for the Central African Economic and Monetary Union (CEMAC). The Executive Board’s decision enabled a disbursement of SDR124.2 million (about US$171.3 million) in early July. The remaining amount will be phased over the duration of the program, subject to semi-annual reviews.
 
At the conclusion of the visit, Ms. Deléchat issued the following statement:
 
“Economic growth for 2016 has been revised downward to 4.5 percent (from 4.7 percent) due to lower oil sector activity. Growth in 2017 is projected by staff to continue to decelerate to slightly under the initial projection of 4 percent, mainly owing to the continued decline in oil production and delays in the start of operations of the new natural gas field. Non-oil growth was supported by strong industrial production owing to improved energy supply and by a good performance of the primary sector, though other indicators such as private sector credit and tax revenue indicate weaker activity. Inflation remains low at 0.6 percent as of end-June (year-on-year). The trade balance continues to improve due to higher cocoa, timber and aluminum exports while imports have fallen somewhat.
 
“The economic outlook for 2018 is positive, albeit subject to downside risks. Growth should improve to about 4.2 percent, due to the entry into production of the new offshore natural gas platform. In the medium term, growth should gradually increase further to 5-5½ percent as key infrastructure projects are completed, including hydroelectrical power plants, the deep-sea port and roads. Construction related to the 2019 African Nations Cup (ACN) should also positively contribute to activity, albeit temporarily. External and domestic risks to this outlook include the possibility of a new round of lower commodity prices notably oil, cocoa and coffee, a resurgence of security challenges, and further delays in the coming on stream of large infrastructure projects.
 
“Pending confirmation during the first program review in October, performance under the ECF-supported program has remained in line with the end-June quantitative targets. In addition, the government has implemented key structural measures under the program, including the regular publication of the petroleum products price structure and enhanced cooperation between customs and tax administrations.
 
“However, budget implementation for the second half of 2017 could be impacted by an additional decline in oil production and revenue, and associated lower trade taxes. Non-oil revenue could also be under pressure from weaker activity. Given tight banking system liquidity, timely disbursement of planned external budget support will be key to ensure adequate budget financing. Nonetheless, staff considers that the program’s fiscal targets for the second half of 2017 remain within reach, provided cautious budget execution continues, along with additional tax collection efforts, and identification of contingency measures in case revenue shortfalls materialize.
 
“The preparation of the 2018 budget is progressing well and in accordance with the budget calendar. The authorities have revised their projections of revenue downward to take into account the lower contribution of the oil sector. The mission has urged them to revise their spending plans accordingly and endeavor to increase nonoil tax revenue by widening the tax base.
 
“The team will return to Yaoundé in October to conduct discussions for the first review of the Extended Credit Facility for Cameroon.
 
“The team met with Minister Secretary General at the Presidency Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, Minister Secretary General at the Prime Minister’s Office Seraphin Fouda, Minister of Finance Alamine Ousmane Mey, Minister of Economy, Planning, and Territorial Development Louis Paul Motaze, and other senior officials and representatives of the diplomatic community, development partners and private sector. The team wishes to thank the Cameroonian authorities for their warm hospitality, their excellent cooperation, and the constructive and frank dialogue."

Cameroon's UN Ambassador Tommo Monthe, who told Inner City Press that Paul Biya stands ready to cut the Internet again, and partied with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres' Deputy SG and chief of staff while singing songs for Chantal Biya, is already at the meeting Fall will attend. Tommo Monthe is quoted, "We need to exchange views on all these insecurity situations before we bring it back to the UN during its forthcoming general assembly session." On May 29 Fall issued this canned quote: "We will continue to support efforts of the subregion in its determination to prevent, to combat and to bring an end to the uncontrolled flow of arms in Central Africa. This would strengthen confidence among states and reassure the population, the main victims of this phenomenon, which is also a hindrance to the sustainable development of Central Africa." This is the focus on Lonseny Fall's much-hyped visit to Yaounde, while Guterres' Deputy SG and chief of staff party with Paul Biya's representative amid songs for Chantal Biya and French champagne. We'll have more on this. Well over a week ago, Inner City Press asked UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres' holdover spokesman Stephane Dujarric about Cameroon administering in areas to which it cut off the Internet for 94 days a General Certificate of Education test, specifically citing UNESCO. Dujarric said he would look into it. Having received no answer even as Guterres' Deputy and Chief of Staff appeared at Cameroon's (boycotted) national day, on May 23 Inner City Press asked again about this, and Amnesty International's press conference on 10 year sentences to students (whose jokes included the GCEs) being shut down.
Inner City Press:  Did you ever look into the testing thing?  I'd asked you about administering a test…

Spokesman:  Yes, I think… we were given some guidance by UNESCO...

Now here it is: "Your question on the Cameroon tests: Regarding a previous query on a test being administered in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon despite the regions being affected by school closures and a internet blackout, while this is not an issue covered by UNOCA, but rather UNESCO, UNOCA has informed that there have been reports of abstentions from the examinations in the North West and South-West regions of the country. We are not aware of any reports of these tests being taken at gunpoint.  Nonetheless it is of concern that these examinations [General Certificate of Education] were held, despite school closures and the internet blackout for over three months, which disrupted normal activities. However that is an issue for the relevant national authorities to respond to. UNOCA, in close cooperation with the Acting Resident Coordinator, is monitoring the situation in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon and will continue to liaise with the authorities to promote a peaceful resolution to the grievances of the Anglophone population."

While the UN Security Council visited Cameroon during the 94 day Internet cut off and said nothing publicly about it (but see below), Inner City Press has obtained and has exclusively published on Patreon and now Scribd, here Cameroon's "Urgent and Confidential" letter to the UN Security Council, about weapons. On May 23, Inner City Press went to the New York event for Cameroon's "National" Day, which was boycotted in the Anglophone regions of the country. In New York, however, UN Deputy Secretary General Amina J. Mohammad and Antonio Guterres' Chef de Cabinet Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti attended, along with French Permanent Representative to the UN Francois Delattre, Burundi's Albert Shingiro and others. Video here.

 Periscope inside was not possible due, ironically, to a lack of Internet. There were toasts in French for Chantalle Biya and for the UN officials; on the way out UN staffers told Inner City Press it was sure to criticize them. What matters, as always, is what happens going forward. Italy is a member of the Security Council this year, and on the morning of May 18 including in light of Italian President Mattarella's meetings this year with Cameroon's 34 year president Paul Biya, Inner City Press asked Italy's Mission to the UN: "your Mission was part of the Security Council's trip including to Cameroon earlier this year, during the country's 94-day Internet shut off to millions of people in the Northwest and Southwest (or Anglophone) regions. The IMF, for what it's worth, told Inner City Press the government's Internet cut off is among other things a financial risk in 2017. Could you comment on your Mission's aware of the issue, during the Security Council visit to Cameroon and since, and on whether you believe the Secretary General and DPA, as a matter of prevention of conflict, may have a greater role to play in this long-standing, UN-related conflict or dispute?" Eight hours later, the Italian Mission's spokesperson Giovanni Davoli replied on Cameroon that "the situation you are mentioning was not in the agenda of the UNSC visit." To his credit, Swedish diplomat Carl Skau tells Inner City Press, "I can confirm that the issue was raised by the delegation in meetings." Now Italy's spokesman insists, "I confirm: it was not in the agenda of the visit. Whether it was raised, it is another matter on which I have no elements." Meanwhile, party in interest France has yet to respond, while Emmanuel Macron is in Mali. We'll have more on this. On May 17, Inner City Press asked UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujuarric what if anything Guterres is doing about Cameroon. From the UN transcript: Inner City Press: there are people saying that António Guterres' strategy of being Secretary-General is to sort of downplay the peacemaking powers of it and engage in quiet diplomacy.  And I guess the reason I'm asking you is just objectively speaking, compared to the previous administration, there are many fewer readouts, there's less… there's less being said.  Maybe it's to the good.  But, does he believe that… that this approach is bearing fruit, and if so, what fruit can you point to?

Spokesman:  I think the Secretary-General is a believer in the need for discreet contacts to be had in order to resolve crisis.  And I think it's something I… well, I think we've all observed since he's come into office.  And I think it's an important tool and not the only tool, but it's an important tool in the tools available to the world's top diplomat.

Inner City Press:  I want to ask this very specifically because I've asked you this a couple of times.  I keep hearing from people at various high floors that, in fact, the UN is concerned about Cameroon and not just the Internet, but what seems to be a case of preventive diplomacy.  So, I wanted to ask you, is there anything actually being done?  Am I missing some secret work that the UN…?

Spokesman:  I think if… well, if it's secret, it's secret.  Mr. [Francois Lonceny] Fall has been following and is the point person for the UN on this issue.

  Fall is failing. Or, Fall is the fall guy for Guterres. Now there is the use of what residents call another weapon: the devaluation and even destruction of the GCE education system, by purporting to administer the test after a period where no instruction or learning took place. UNESCO has said nothing, just as the UN stayed quiet during the Internet cut off. On May 15, Inner City Press asked the UN's holdover spokesman Stephane Dujarric, video here, UN transcript here: Inner City Press: In hearing UNESCO [United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization], I've been meaning to ask you this.  There's a controversy in Cameroon where a school… a test is being administered today in the areas that didn't have internet for 94 days and the schools were closed.  And a lot of people are saying the test… it's basically to destroy the Anglophone education system, and people are taking a test at gunpoint.  And many people there said UNESCO said nothing.  I don't know whose role it is.  Is it [Francois] Loncény Fall?  Is there anyone in the UN system that's looking at what's taking place there…?

Spokesman:  I'll take a look that report.  Okay. Thank you.

  We'll see. Some in UN headquarters approach Inner City Press where they can, since the UN Department of Public Information still restricts the Press, and say there's concern "upstairs" about events in Cameroon. But despite the claimed focus on preventative diplomacy, where is there UN action on this? Despite the restrictions, Inner City Press will be pushing forward with the story. Watch this site and this one, where it is reported that France blocked any European Union action on Cameroon and Paul Biya's 94-day cut off of the Internet in the Anglophone regions, in part to keep its hand in to compete economically with China in "its" FrancAfrique. When the EU's Federica Mogherini came to the UN Security Council stakeout on May 9 for questions, no Press questions on Cameroon were allowed, similar to Antonio Guterres' spokesman disallowing the question three times at the recent joint African Union stakeout. Nor was the Cameroon question Inner City Press submitted to Guterres' paid-entrance, not livestreamed London Q&A posed. We'll have more on this.

Exclusive: From Cameroon to UNSC, "Urgent & Confidential" Memo About Weapons, Copter, Here by Matthew Russell Lee on Scribd

This comes amid reports that armaments Cameroon got ostensibly to fight Boko Haram have been spotted in the Anglophone regions. On May 2 when Inner City Press told the UN's spokesman Stephane Dujarric that it had a question on Cameroon, he walked off the podium, as he has done before. He and the UN Department of Public Information, whose Cameroon mis-information is profiled below, worked together to evict and still restrict Inner City Press.

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