Government attempts to downplay gold theft allegations

During a press briefing in Yaoundé on July 15, 2026, the acting Minister of Mines, Industry and Technological Development, Fuh Calistus Gentry, alongside Communication Minister René Emmanuel Sadi, formally denied the theft or disappearance of gold belonging to Cameroon’s state reserves. The officials framed the controversy as a misunderstanding rather than public fund embezzlement, attributing the crisis to systematic underreporting by private mining operators.

The government maintains that discrepancies in gold declarations—revealed through a 2,000 billion FCFA revenue shortfall—stem from fraudulent practices by private companies, which allegedly understate extraction volumes to evade taxes.

Evidence contradicts official narrative

The state’s revenue from synthetic mining taxes and export duties has plummeted. According to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), Cameroon reported just 22 kg of gold exports in 2023, while UAE customs recorded 15 metric tons originating from Cameroonian mines. The National Mining Corporation (Sonamines) estimates that 44 metric tons of gold vanished from formal channels between 2021 and 2025.

In response, the government announced urgent reforms, including a joint task force with Sonamines, the General Tax Directorate (DGI), and Customs (DGD) to conduct on-site inspections. Additionally, an international expert will be hired to assess mine potential and impose minimum taxes independent of operators’ declarations.

Attorney Sikati’s fiery response

SOME CAMEROONIAN MINISTERS ARE TRUE MAGICIANS

The acting Mines Minister, Fuh Calistus Gentry—appointed after his predecessor Gabriel Dodo Ndoke’s mysterious death—declared in yesterday’s press conference that “no state-owned gold has disappeared.”

Yet the gold trafficking scandal dominates headlines both locally and internationally.

The minister did not deny gold theft outright. Instead, he implied that only gold officially registered as state property remains accounted for. This raises a critical question: Who, then, owns the missing gold?

Under Cameroon’s Mining Code, subsoil minerals—including gold—belong exclusively to the state. Does the minister believe, contrary to the law, that this wealth is privately owned? His actions suggest a blatant disregard for national interests, prioritizing personal gains over public welfare.

Calls for accountability intensify

The controversy underscores deeper systemic failures. While the government frames the issue as a technicality, critics argue it reflects a culture of impunity. The attorney’s remarks echo broader frustrations over governance in Cameroon’s extractive sector, where transparency remains elusive despite repeated scandals.

The unfolding drama highlights the urgent need for independent oversight and decisive action to restore public trust in state institutions.