Not What Democracy Looks Like

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When Paul Biya, "the strongman who has ruled the West African country of Cameroon for more than 20 years swept to another election victory last fall, a number of observers quickly questioned the process." But not the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress, who said, "This is what democracy is about." Their delegation was organized by "a lobbyist for Biya's government," who "served as the mission's chief staffer and billed Cameroon for his work. Biya's government also picked up the $80,000 tab for the Americans' visit. And a month after the group left, one of the six observers signed his own lobbying contract with Cameroon."