Cameroon: nearly 5,000 civil servants dismissed

In Cameroon, the government has announced the dismissal of almost 5,000 civil servants and public employees, with a view to improving control over the number of staff on state payroll.

The dismissals come in the wake of mass desertions from the ranks of the civil service, with civil servants leaving to seek their fortune elsewhere.

“The process is part of the reorganization of the State’s payroll and personnel files. As we speak, almost 5,000 people have already been dismissed or revoked. When I say dismissed, I’m referring to administrative contract staff, and when I say revoked, I’m referring to civil servants”, explained Joseph Le, Minister for the Civil Service and Administrative Reform, whose responsibilities include managing the careers of civil servants.

According to the Minister, the profiles of these deserter civil servants, who have now been dismissed or revoked, are constantly under scrutiny.

“I think I can tell you that over 95% of these people who have been struck off or even left are teachers. There are also doctors,” he added.

By 2025, the Cameroonian civil service will represent some 500,000 staff paid for by the State budget.