Appointed by ministerial decree to sit on the National Commission for Eligibility for Refugee Status, Shu Nyamboli Mabel and Tchoutat Armany, senior officials of the CDHC, were sworn in on August 13, 2026 at the Mfoundi Court.
“The greatness of a nation is measured by how it treats its most vulnerable.” Indeed, August 13, 2026, will remain etched as a pivotal date in Cameroon’s humanitarian history. In the heart of the Mfoundi High Court in Yaoundé, in a courtroom filled with solemnity, two officials from the Cameroon Human Rights Commission (CDHC) took their oaths, marking with their authority the nation’s
sovereignty in matters of refugee protection.
Shu Nyamboli Mabel and Mr. Tchoutat Armany, both senior officials at the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC), have joined the prestigious National Commission for Refugee Status Eligibility. Their appointment, formalized by Decree No. 0002/DIPL/CAB of January 23, 2026, is in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 2011/389 of November 28, 2011, which governs the organization and operation of refugee status management bodies in Cameroon.
The swearing-in ceremony, presided over by the magistrates of Mfoundi, was not a mere administrative formality. It symbolizes the culmination of a long process: the effective transfer of responsibility for Refugee Status Determination (RSD) from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to the Cameroonian State.
Until now, the UNHCR played a leading role in processing asylum applications within the country. From now on, Cameroon, through its own institutions, will fully assume this sovereign prerogative. This historic transfer of responsibility reflects a stated desire for administrative sovereignty and a demand for greater transparency in the management of forced migration flows.
The stakes are high. Cameroon, a veritable « Africa in miniature, » hosts one of the largest refugee populations in Central Africa. With over 400,000 refugees and nearly one million internally displaced persons, the country faces a colossal humanitarian challenge. The presence of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on the Eligibility Committee is a fundamental guarantee for the international community and for the asylum seekers themselves.
As an independent institution for the promotion and protection of human rights, the CDHC provides essential expertise to ensure that each procedure is conducted with respect for fairness, human dignity, and Cameroon’s international commitments. Shu Nyamboli Mabel and Tchoutat Armany, drawing on their experience within the CDHC—particularly in cooperation, documentation, and research—will be tasked with judiciously applying the eligibility criteria, taking into account geopolitical realities and the specific vulnerabilities of each individual.
“Through its participation, the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC) will help ensure that refugee status determination processes respect human rights, fairness, and the protection of asylum seekers and refugees in Cameroon,” the Commission emphasized in an official statement. This direct involvement contributes to building a robust, transparent asylum system that complies with international standards.
While this transfer of authority marks a major step forward, it should not obscure the persistent challenges. The European Court of Human Rights itself recently deplored, on the occasion of World Refugee Day, the slow pace of operationalizing refugee status management bodies and raised the alarm about the risks of corruption. The appointment of these two honest and competent officials sends a strong signal to both national and international public opinion.
As Cameroon resolutely embarks on the path of autonomy in asylum management, the swearing-in of Shu Nyamboli Mabel and Tchoutat Armany embodies the hope for enhanced protection and fairer justice for all those forced to flee their homes.
