Privatisation and ethno-regional protest in Cameroon

Privatization has become a cornerstone of the linkage between good governance and structural adjustment as formulated by Western donors and creditors. This case study of Cameroon, however, shows that privatization schemes have often failed to promote any transparency and accountability in public-sector reforms or to encourage greater participation of civil society in the decisionmaking process. Instead, privatization schemes have frequently led to vehement protests from ethno-regional organizations, particularly when they have felt excluded from the sale of vital regional public enterprises to well-placed nationals or to foreign-owned enterprises. This is illustrated by the case of the privatization of the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC). Bibliogr., notes, ref. sum. in English, French and German. [Journal abstract, edited]