Alcoholism: More than 6,000 identified bars in the city of Yaoundé

Statistics from the Trade Union of beverage operators revealed that there are more than 6,000 bars in the city of Yaoundé.

Société Anonyme des Brasseries (SABC) breweries confirmed this hypothesis, stating that more than 600 million litres of beer were sold in 2012 which was an excellent planetary record. This activity develops in an institutionalized anarchy, with the opening of drinking spots being regulated by Presidential Decree n ° 90/1483 of 9 November 1990.

The terms and conditions of operation of the drinking establishments include location, distinguish between establishments, the opening and closing hours, distance with the houses of worship, schools and hospitals, among others.

Section IV, article 13 of the Decree, said: “opening and closing hours of beverage are fixed at 6 am to 9pm for take-away, sales from 6 am to 12pm for sales to consume on the spot.” However, many bars stay open beyond these specified hours.

The same text, in its article 14, stated: “no drinking spot should be opened or transferred less than 200 metres from a hospice, a hospital, a clinic, an educational institution, or a building devoted to worship.”

In addition, “two commercial institutions dealing in the same product must be far from each other by at least 50 m.” In contrast with reality, some drinking establishments are sometimes glued to each other.

Despite the threats made by article 20 in the event of violation of the provisions of the Decree of the head of State Paul Biya, which includes a set of sanctions which may extend to the complete withdrawal of the operating licence or even a financial fine, the installation of seals or auction of seized drinks, bars still emerge randomly. The regulation is flouted based on corruption, laxity of the authorities or "administrative tolerance".