…Concerns over working conditions at Cameroon’s main sugar producer, Société Sucrière du Cameroun (Sosucam), have reached the European Parliament following a violent strike that turned into a riot on February 4, 2025. At least one worker was killed in the unrest, drawing criticism from Marina Mesure, a French member of the European Parliament.

In a letter dated February 5, 2025, addressed to the European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Mesure denounced what she called the “repression and violations of workers’ rights” at Sosucam’s sugar cane plantations in Cameroon.

The controversy stems from the fact that Sosucam is 74% owned by the French agro-industrial group Somdiaa, which is itself controlled by Castel, a major player in Africa’s beverage industry…

Beyond what she called the “bloody crackdown” on Sosucam workers during the February 4 strike, Mesure pointed to a broader pattern of labor rights abuses…

The lawmaker has called on the European Commission to clarify what steps it plans to take to ensure that sugar industry workers in Cameroon are treated fairly. ..

On February 7, 2025, Sosucam publicly addressed the growing tensions, though it did not respond directly to Mesure’s letter. In a statement signed by the company’s newly appointed CEO, Jean-Louis Liscio, the company announced several measures agreed upon after discussions with stakeholders…