Roger Chantal Tuile, a native of the East Region of Cameroon, has made a poignant appeal for the local populations, who he says are victims of the gold trafficking plaguing their region. During his appearance on the Canal Presse program on Canal 2 International, he deplored the fact that the mineral wealth of the East only benefits an elite, leaving the local populations in misery.
Tuile expressed his dismay at the ongoing investigation into gold trafficking, stressing that the gold extracted from localities such as Kambélé should primarily benefit local populations. He denounced a "poor distribution" of national wealth, where "people from Yaoundé are lining their pockets" at the expense of the State and the people.
This statement comes amid growing concerns about illegal gold mining in Cameroon. The President of the Republic, Paul Biya, has ordered the opening of a joint investigation to shed light on this trafficking. This investigation, entrusted to the National Gendarmerie, aims to identify the actors involved and establish responsibilities.
Figures reveal an alarming situation. According to a report by the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), Cameroon produced 953 kg of gold in 2023, but only 22 kg were officially exported. At the same time, the United Arab Emirates reported importing 15 tons of gold from Cameroon, which represents a considerable gap. This discrepancy suggests that significant quantities of gold are escaping official channels, fueling informal and smuggling networks.
The situation is all the more worrying as gold trafficking fuels crime and armed conflict in the border region between Cameroon and the Central African Republic. Armed groups profit from the illegal exploitation of gold to finance their activities. Faced with this situation, experts are calling for increased cooperation between Cameroon and the CAR to formalize the mining sector, improve the traceability of gold and fight against illicit flows. The investigation ordered by President Biya and the pleas such as that of Roger Chantal Tuile highlight the urgency of ensuring that Cameroon's mineral wealth benefits its entire population.
The case is now in the hands of the gendarmerie, and the results of the investigation are awaited.
