The management of the crisis at the Autonomous Port of Douala (PAD) continues to generate reactions. On Sunday, February 22, 2026, the program "Club d'Elites" on Vision 4 once again addressed the subject, highlighting the persistent difficulties despite the directives of Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute.
Journalist Souley Onohiolo strongly criticized the Prime Minister's actions, calling him "weak" due to his inability to effectively resolve the crisis at the PAD. According to him, the advanced age of the President of the Republic requires strong leadership from the head of government, capable of taking strong measures to resolve conflicts, particularly that of the port of Douala. Onohiolo insisted that problems cannot be solved by simply exchanging correspondence.
This criticism comes in a context of persistent disruptions at the Autonomous Port of Douala, linked to scanning operations. Despite the Prime Minister's instructions in favor of continuing the activities of the company SGS, the port is struggling to return to its usual level of activity. The Minister of Finance, Louis-Paul Motaze, has also expressed his disagreement with the management of the PAD, accusing it of not complying with government directives regarding the resumption of SGS activities.
At the same time, economist Dieudonné Essomba, also present on the Vision 4 set, stressed that the Director General of a strategic structure such as the PAD should not have the latitude to choose the actors involved in port operations. Essomba believes that such a decision should be made by the President of the Republic or the government.
The crisis at the PAD has led to a partial paralysis of activities, raising concerns among economic operators. The Group of Companies of Cameroon (GECAM) had even issued an ultimatum to the government in February 2026, denouncing a double tariff imposed on companies as part of the scanning of containers. This situation had led to an increase in import costs and longer customs clearance times, threatening the competitiveness of the port and the Cameroonian economy.
On February 18, 2026, GECAM announced a normal resumption of activities at the port of Douala, following consultations with the various actors. However, the issue of reimbursing the sums unduly collected during the crisis remains pending for the injured companies. The situation at the Autonomous Port of Douala therefore remains a major issue for the Cameroonian economy and the stability of the region.
In July 2025, Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute presided over the ceremony for laying the first stone of the construction project for the quay and the mixed terminal of the autonomous port of Douala. In January 2026, he threatened to resign in the face of persistent blockages.
