Information on the Union of the Peoples of Cameroon (Union des populations du Cameroun, UPC) was limited among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

The UPC was founded on 10 April 1948 (Cameroon Tribune 12 Apr. 2005; Mutations 17 Mar. 2005; ibid. 8 Apr. 2005). However, various sources indicated that several factions of the UPC exist today (ibid.; Political Parties of the World 2005, 107; Leftist Parties of the World 28 Feb. 2005).

The first faction, called the UPC-K, was created in 1991 (ibid.) and is headed by Augustin-Frédéric Kodock (ibid.; Mutations 8 Apr. 2005; Political Parties of the World 2005, 107; EIU 11 Feb. 2005). The UPC-K is a pro-government faction (ibid.) and Augustin-Frédéric Kodock holds the position of state minister in the government established by Paul Biya (ibid.; The Post 22 Feb. 2005), with whom Kodock claims an alliance (ibid.). Moreover, the UPC-K holds 3 (Political Parties of the World 2005, 107) of the 180 seats in the Cameroonian National Assembly (Elections Around the World 10 Feb. 2005).

The second faction, the UPC-N, was established in 1998, and its leader, Henri Hogbe Nlend (Mutations 8 Apr. 2005; Leftist Parties of the World 28 Feb. 2005), is also a member of the Government of Cameroon (ibid.).

The third faction of the UPC is headed by Samuel Mack-Kit (ibid.; Le Messager 7 Oct. 2004), while Moukoko Priso is the secretary-general of the faction (ibid.; Mutations 8 Apr. 2005). This so-called [translation] "faithful" faction (ibid.) was created in 1996 (Leftist Parties of the World 28 Feb. 2005). According to an article published in the daily newspaper Mutations, of the three factions, the [translation] "faithful" UPC is the only one that has never [translation] "made a pact with the government," and it did not participate in the last presidential election (8 Apr. 2005). An article published in Le Messager explained that the Cameroonian authorities had rejected Samuel Mack-Kit's nomination during the presidential election because his nomination was illegal (7 Oct. 2004). The same article also indicated that the appeal lodged with the Supreme Court in this regard was unsuccessful (Le Messager 7 Oct. 2004).

No information on the structure, the membership card, or the treatment of members of the various UPC factions could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Cameroon Tribune [Yaoundé]. 12 April 2005. Esther Azaa. "UPC Celebrates 57th Anniversary." (Dialog)

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) [London]. 11 February 2005. Country Report Cameroon, No. 007. "The Political Scene: Northerners and Key Allies Are Rewarded." (Dialog)

Elections Around the World. 10 February 2005. "Elections in Cameroon." http://www.electionworld.org/cameroon.htm [Accessed 11 May 2005]

Leftist Parties of the World. 28 February 2005. "Cameroon." http://www.broadleft.org/cm.htm [Accessed 11 Feb. 2005]

Le Messager [Douala]. 7 October 2004. "Le bal des recalés : l'AFP fait le point." (Dialog)

Mutations. 8 April 2005. "Anniversaire : l'Union n'a plus ses populations." (Dialog)

_____. 17 March 2005. "Espace livres : l'UPC invoque l'esprit d'avril." (Dialog)

Political Parties of the World. 2005. 6th Edition. Edited by Bogdan Szajkowski. London: John Harper Publishing.

The Post [Lusaka]. 22 February 2005. Kini Nsom. "Detractors Want Me in Biya's Bad Books-Kodock." (Dialog)

Publications: Africa Confidential, Africa Research Bulletin, Jeune Afrique/L'Intelligent, Resource Centre country file, West Africa.

Internet sites, including: AllAfrica, Amnesty International, European Country of Origin Information Network (Ecoi), Human Rights Watch (HRW), International Crisis Group (ICG), International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), MISNA, ReliefWeb, United States Department of State.