Cameroon’s systemic corruption: a mirror held up to society

In a scathing op-ed, educator and political commentator Armand Noutack II delivers a damning indictment of Cameroon’s cultural acceptance of corruption, arguing that the nation’s leadership is merely a reflection of its people’s values. He questions whether President Paul Biya invented the system of systemic graft or simply adapted to it to maintain power.

The core of Noutack’s argument lies in the observation that Cameroonians, across all strata of society, have normalized corruption to the point where it permeates daily life. From civil servants to business owners, from educators to healthcare workers, the pursuit of personal gain has overshadowed the collective good.

The illusion of opposition

Noutack highlights the hypocrisy of those who publicly decry the government while privately engaging in corrupt practices. He paints a vivid picture of opposition figures who, by day, rail against the regime on television, but by night, negotiate lucrative public contracts under the table. Similarly, he calls out merchants who demand change while trafficking expired goods or evading taxes, and civil servants who claim to want reform while pocketing salaries for work never performed.

“You cry for change, but you’re the one selling fraudulent goods at the market. You demand progress, yet you’re the first in line to falsify your water meter and resell stolen electricity.“

A nation complicit in its own stagnation

The commentary extends beyond political leaders to include all Cameroonians, regardless of their stance on the government. Noutack points to a range of societal ills, from teachers who extort students for grades to journalists who shape their reporting based on midnight phone calls. He even critiques healthcare workers who abandon public hospitals for private clinics and police officers who exploit motorists for bribes.

“The truth is, we are all corrupted. It’s not just a matter of superficial graft; our very mentalities are diseased. This is what hurts most.“

A call for self-reflection

Noutack doesn’t just condemn the system; he challenges every Cameroonian to confront their role in perpetuating it. He urges citizens to demand accountability from themselves first, asking, “If you can’t be the change you wish to see, then be silent.” He calls for a cultural revolution, one that dismantles the web of mental corruption ensnaring the nation since the 1980s.

“To build our country after President Biya’s departure, we must destroy the mental corruption web trapping all Cameroonians—both those in power and those in opposition. Otherwise…“

The piece concludes with a call to the Minister of Finance to infiltrate every sector, exposing and punishing corrupt officials who collude with fraudulent civil servants. Only through collective self-awareness and accountability can Cameroon hope to break free from its cycle of stagnation.