Country report and updates: Cameroon

1 Conscription

conscription does not exist

Cameroon has no conscription. [1] [2]

recruitment

Recruitment into the armed forces is on a voluntary basis. [1] [2]

The minimum recruitment age is not known.

2 Conscientious objection

There is no legal provision for conscientious objection. [1]

According to the government in 1992 "the concept of conscientious objection to military service does not exist in Cameroon because: (a) military service is optional and (b) enlistment in the army is not compulsory." [2]

3 Desertion

No information about this is available.

6 Annual statistics

The armed forces are 22,100 strong, including the 9,000 strong Gendarmerie. They form approximately 0.2 percent of the population. [3]

Sources

[1] Eide, A., C. Mubanga-Chipoya 1985 Conscientious objection to military service, report prepared in pursuance of resolutions 14 (XXXIV) and 1982/30 of the Sub-Commission of Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities. United Nations, New York. [2] UN Commission on Human Rights 1992. Report of the Secretary-General prepared pursuant to Commission resolution 1991/65 (and 3 Addendums). United Nations, Geneva. [3] Institute for Strategic Studies 1997. Military Balance 1997/98. ISS, London, UK.