MEP Marina Mesure has alerted the European Commission to severe repression of workers’ rights in Cameroon’s sugar sector, particularly at SOSUCAM. The situation escalated on February 4, 2025, resulting in violent crackdowns on peaceful protests for unpaid wages. Mesure urged the Commission to take action to safeguard these rights, especially given SOSUCAM’s ownership structure.
In a letter addressed to Mr. Maroš Šefčovič of the European Commission, MEP Marina Mesure expressed grave concerns over the repression of workers’ rights in Cameroon’s sugarcane sector, particularly involving the Société Sucrière du Cameroun (SOSUCAM). She highlighted incidents of violence against peaceful protesters in Nkoteng following a protest demanding unpaid wages and emphasized the violation of workers’ rights, particularly their right to freedom of association.
Mesure detailed a tragic incident on February 4, 2025, which escalated into bloody confrontations as local authorities used force against demonstrators. According to media reports, this violent suppression resulted in casualties among the protesters. An investigative report by the Cameroonian Union of Seasonal Workers noted ongoing systemic repression of union activities by SOSUCAM’s management, flagging fundamental rights violations.
The letter called upon the European Commission to ensure adherence to human rights standards in trade relations with Cameroon, referencing the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). She urged that the situation be monitored closely, given that SOSUCAM is 74% owned by French group Somdiaa, thereby necessitating compliance with EU directives on corporate due diligence obligations.
Mesure requested specific actions the Commission plans to take to protect workers’ rights in the sugar sector and inquired whether the French authorities would be notified regarding Somdiaa’s potential liability in ongoing human rights violations. Her appeal sought to reinforce collaboration between the European Commission and Cameroonian authorities to address these pressing issues.
The context of the situation revolves around ongoing conflicts within the Cameroon sugar sector, particularly concerning the treatment of SOSUCAM employees. Following protests aimed at securing unpaid wages, demonstrators faced violent repression rather than peaceful resolution, raising concerns about systemic violations of labor rights. These tensions underscore a broader issue of how international trade agreements align with and enforce human rights standards in participating countries.
The article underscores significant human rights violations within the Cameroon sugar sector, highlighting the violent repression of peaceful protests by workers at SOSUCAM. The call to the European Union aims to ensure that trade practices honor and protect worker rights, particularly under the scrutiny of international agreements and directives that hold companies accountable for their operations abroad.
Original Source: www.lebledparle.com
