MINSEP: David Pagou Statut Entraîneur MINSEP FECAFOOT Cameroun Contesté

• David Pagou, current coach of Cameroon's Lions Indomptables, faces questions regarding his official administrative and contractual status.
• Cyrille Tollo of MINSEP stated that Pagou remains a MINSEP employee and was never officially seconded to FECAFOOT, nor did he request it.
• Tollo suggested Pagou's situation could legally constitute "abandon de poste" under the Cameroonian Public Service Code, though no action has been taken.
• The standard procedure for appointing a national coach, involving the Presidency and MINSEP, was not followed for Pagou's designation by FECAFOOT.
• Pagou's payment by FECAFOOT means he cannot simultaneously be paid by the State for the same coaching role, highlighting financial and administrative irregularities.

This irregular situation, according to Tollo, could potentially be interpreted as an 'abandon de poste' (abandonment of post) under the provisions of the Code de la fonction publique camerounaise, raising serious legal implications for a public employee.

David Pagou is currently at the helm of Cameroon's national football team, the Lions Indomptables, a role that has sparked considerable debate regarding his official standing. Cyrille Tollo, who serves as Technical Advisor No. 2 within the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education (MINSEP), recently offered insights into Pagou's contractual situation during an interview with Vision 4.

Tollo's declarations shed light on the established protocol for appointing a national coach in Cameroun, emphasizing that such a process typically begins with proposals submitted to the Presidency of the Republic. Following presidential instruction, the Minister of Sports is then tasked with formalizing the appointment, negotiating salary terms, and forwarding the necessary documentation to the Ministry of Finance for budgetary allocation.

Crucially, Tollo indicated that MINSEP has not yet received any official communication from the Presidency regarding the designation of a new coach, suggesting a deviation from this standard procedure in Pagou's case. He also noted that MINSEP is not currently considering an open tender process to find a new coach, further highlighting the unique circumstances surrounding Pagou's engagement.

Beyond the procedural gaps in his appointment as coach, David Pagou's administrative status presents a significant point of contention. Cyrille Tollo confirmed that Pagou remains formally an employee of MINSEP, holding the professional designation of a physical education professor. Despite his current engagement with the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT), Tollo explicitly stated that Pagou has never been officially placed on secondment (détachement) to the federation.

Furthermore, Tollo highlighted that Pagou himself did not submit a request for such a secondment, which is a critical administrative step for public servants. This irregular situation, according to Tollo, could potentially be interpreted as an 'abandon de poste' (abandonment of post) under the provisions of the Code de la fonction publique camerounaise, raising serious legal implications for a public employee. However, Tollo also clarified that, as of now, no formal administrative proceedings have been initiated against Pagou concerning this matter.

The absence of a proper détachement fonctionnaire MINSEP FECAFOOT underscores a potential conflict nomination sélectionneur Cameroun, creating uncertainty around the legitimacy of Pagou's current role from an administrative perspective. Lawyers advising Cameroonian public entities or sports federations should note the potential legal risks associated with irregular appointments and secondments of public employees, specifically concerning the 'abandon de poste' provisions under the Code de la fonction publique.

The administrative ambiguities surrounding David Pagou's role extend to financial considerations, further complicating the relationship between MINSEP and FECAFOOT. Cyrille Tollo underscored that Pagou's appointment by FECAFOOT does not alter his fundamental status as a state employee. He pointed out that since Pagou's remuneration is currently covered by the Federation's budget, he cannot simultaneously receive a salary from the State for performing the identical function.

This clarification from Tollo highlights the intricate financial and administrative framework that governs the engagement of personnel like David Pagou statut entraîneur MINSEP FECAFOOT Cameroun. The ongoing situation continues to raise fundamental questions about the proper administrative and financial oversight for individuals leading national sports teams, particularly when they hold concurrent public service positions.

The declarations by Cyrille Tollo regarding Pagou's status emphasize the need for strict adherence to established administrative procedures, especially concerning secondments and financial responsibilities, to prevent future compliance exposures for Cameroonian public entities. This case highlights the importance of strict adherence to administrative procedures for personnel detachment and financial responsibility to avoid compliance exposures.

Lawyers advising Cameroonian public entities or sports federations should note the potential legal risks associated with irregular appointments and secondments of public employees, specifically concerning the 'abandon de poste' provisions under the Code de la fonction publique. This case highlights the importance of strict adherence to administrative procedures for personnel detachment and financial responsibility to avoid compliance exposures.

Source: Original reporting via Actu Cameroun