Corruption in Cameroon is a perceived problem until....,

Cameroon , where British oil companies and businesses  have substantial interests, does not feature on the UK's list of countries whose human rights records are of concern. That  is very strange and bizarre. Other British businesses operating in Cameroon  include Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Standard Chartered 

It is time now to move on

It is simply untrue that Cameroon doesn`t produce any mineral resources. Just look at how former government ministers have wiped out tax payer monies for their own sake and their family. Embezzlement. That is the word that has to be used. 

And for more than 13 years of impunity and a culture of no question, the country is going in another wrong direction. Corruption is now another way of life in Cameroon. 

From the corruption perception index in 2008, Transparency International found out that  the legal environment for curbing corruption in Cameroon did not undergo any significant change.

Because during that period, Paul Biya didn`t take reasonable stand and step to fight corruption from its roots. Members of his own family and the first lady were involved in corruption affairs. 

This was despite President Paul Biya’s communication, at the first meeting of newly appointed Cabinet ministers in 2007, that his three priorities for action were boosting economic growth, improving the population’s living conditions and fighting corruption.

In his end-of-year address to the nation, Biya underlined the depth of his commitment by stating, ‘The time has come for action. We must shake off inertia, remove obstacles, set goals and deadlines... and meet these targets.’ 

Although such statements were  encouraging, unfortunately these words were not enough. Although some  scapegoats ministers were arrested and charged for embezzlement while others who didn`t shown outside that they stole from the State were left free and walking on the street and enjoying their life . But for how long? Only Paul Biya will decide..

Laws need to be implemented and be made effective if Cameroon’s efforts to adopt anti-corruption measures are to be successful and supported by Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index and Global Corruption Barometer. 

Corruption, like any other form of widespread social phenomenon, is built on networks and interactions.  Treating it in isolation is therefore ineffective, and as such it should be approached in a systemic way, looking not only at cases of corruption but also the reforms under way to identify weaknesses in the fight against it. 

 

It is now time to go

These figures support the president’s assessment , that Cameroon is suffering inertia in promoting reforms that could assist in anti-corruption initiatives.

The most important factors that encourage corruption are impunity and lack of sanctions,

inertia and inaction on the part of the administration, the desire for personal enrichment, lack of transparency and low wages.

The government has responded with various measures to deal with these challenges.

In relation to impunity and lack of sanctions, an acceleration of legal proceedings has led to high-level government dignitaries being charged and imprisoned. Those who have been arrested are been portrayed as the scapegoat of a failed regime and government in Cameroon.

Biya at 73 year old now  is the one promoting and not being able to fight that  inertia and on top of that he has the  power, the constitutional power today to fight against the so called inertia. 

The only way to move forward will be for him to just step down as the head of state and leave the 12 millions eligible voters to decide on a fair, transparent and democratic general election or presidential election  the future of the country. .

Is Biya today  ready  to do that ? Or will his army general`advisors should instruct him to step down for the sake of his age and after played an important role in maintaining peace and social-stability in the country with the help of the armed forces...?

The 2010 Transparency International Corruption Perception Index ( CPI)  will be published next Tuesday the 26th October and it will be good to see how Cameroon has managed again to show the world that something is been done internally and politically to fight against corruption..