President Donald Trump recently announced his intent to terminate the eligibility of Cameroon for trade preference benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) as of January 1 next year due to persistent gross violations of internationally-recognised human rights. Trump has notified US Congress and the Cameroon government about the decision.

Specifically, Cameroon has failed to address concerns regarding persistent human rights violations being committed by its security forces. These violations include extrajudicial killings, arbitrary and unlawful detention and torture, according to a statement by the office of the US Trade Representative (USTR).

“The US government remains deeply concerned about persistent gross violations of human rights being committed by the Cameroonian government against its own citizens,” said deputy USTR C J Mahoney.

“We urge the government of Cameroon to work with the United States and the international community to strengthen protection of human rights under the law and to publicly hold to account those who engage in human rights violations,” he added.

In order to qualify for AGOA trade benefits, partner countries must meet certain statutory eligibility requirements, including not engaging in gross violations of human rights. Other criteria include making continual progress toward establishing the rule of law, political pluralism, establishing workers rights and the elimination of barriers to US trade and investment.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

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