Child Soldiers Global Report 2001 - Cameroon
| Publisher | Child Soldiers International |
| Publication Date | 2001 |
| Cite as | Child Soldiers International, Child Soldiers Global Report 2001 - Cameroon, 2001, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4988060a28.html [accessed 1 November 2019] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON
Mainly covers the period June 1998 to April 2001 as well as including some earlier information.
- Population:
– total: 14,693,000
– under-18s: 7,389,000 - Government armed forces:
– active: 13,100
– paramilitary: 9,000 - Compulsory recruitment age: no conscription
- Voluntary recruitment age: 18
- Voting age (government elections): 20
- Child soldiers: none indicated
- CRC-OP-CAC: not signed
- Other treaties ratified: ACRWC; CRC; GC/API+II
- There are no indications of under-18s in government armed forces.
GOVERNMENT
National Recruitment Legislation and Practice
Article 11 of Presidential Decree No. 94/185 (September 1994) concerning non-officer military personnel sets the minimum age for recruitment at 18 and the maximum age at 22 within the year of recruitment. Candidates must also hold a First School Leaving certificate. Recruitment is on a voluntary basis.357 There is no evidence of underage recruitment into the armed forces of Cameroon.
Military Training and Military Schools
The Ecole Militaire Inter-Armes in Yaoundé, a military school for officers, has a minimum recruitment age of 18. Applicants under age 21 must have parental authorisation.358
357 Horeman and Stolwijk op. cit.
358 Press communiqué from the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, 12/5/97.
