Issa Tchiroma Bakary has brought to light extensive allegations of corruption within Cameroon, citing figures that expose the alleged plundering of gold, oil, and timber resources, alongside fraudulent contracts, tax evasion, and the illicit enrichment of President Paul Biya’s inner circle. His recent public statement, supported by detailed data, reveals the scale of these alleged abuses of power.
During a recent address to the nation, I was deeply moved by the revelations surrounding the alleged diversion of gold, estimated at 2,000 billion francs. This staggering sum compelled me to direct my teams, both in Cameroon and globally, to thoroughly investigate the nation’s public finances. The findings, I believe, will evoke a profound sense of anger, sorrow, astonishment, and even revolt among Cameroonians. It is an undeniable truth that over the past 43 years, Cameroon has transitioned from a state of relative prosperity to one of absolute poverty and hardship for its people.
Allow me to present the stark realities. The initial aspect of this alleged predation centers on Cameroon’s subterranean wealth, particularly oil. For four decades, the National Hydrocarbons Corporation (SNH) purportedly generated oil revenues that remained outside the national budget, beyond parliamentary oversight, and devoid of any transparency. International bodies like the IMF, the World Bank, and EITI have previously flagged substantial financial flows exiting the country without ever appearing in official accounts. Allegations include oil being sold to Glencore at less than 30% of its market value, numerous disappeared cargo shipments, and unrecorded SNH revenues, collectively amounting to several thousands of billions of FCFA. Cameroon’s forests have suffered a similar fate, with an estimated 80% of timber being illegally traded. The nation’s land has been openly plundered, allegedly with the complicity of the state. In total, between gold, oil, and timber, more than 10,000 billion francs have purportedly vanished.
The second dimension of this alleged scheme involves the direct diversion of funds through fraudulent contracts. Budgetary lines 65 and 94, spanning the years 2012 to 2021, have reportedly been erased. These two lines alone account for 5,400 billion francs in unjustified expenditures. The Special Criminal Court (TCS), established by President Biya himself, has reportedly convicted his own officials for nearly 9,000 billion francs in diversions between 1997 and 2021. Furthermore, the issue of ‘ghost’ civil servants persists; according to the Ministry of Finance and the Public Treasury, over 20,000 fictitious employees have remained on the payroll for years, causing an annual loss of approximately 200 billion FCFA. Major public scandals, such as the Yaoundé-Douala highway project, the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations preparations, and COVID-19 vaccine procurements, have also been marred by documented massive overbillings exceeding 500 billion francs FCFA.
The third area of concern focuses on systemic tax and customs fraud. Both the National Agency for Financial Investigation (ANIF) and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (CONAC) have confirmed the existence of entrenched fraud mechanisms. Their official figures are alarming: 1,665 billion FCFA in suspicious financial flows identified in 2023 alone; 1,246 billion FCFA in documented customs fraud over a six-year period; and 1,745 billion FCFA attributed to scanning fraud at the Douala port, allegedly involving SGS. These figures shed light on the distressing situation at the Douala port, where two factions within the regime have reportedly been vying for control over what appears to be institutionalized fraud.
Finally, the fourth and last aspect details the personal enrichment of the ruling clan. It is well-established that the Biya clan has allegedly systematically diverted public wealth to acquire personal assets within Cameroon, in France, and across the Middle East. Investigations, including those from the Netherlands, have reportedly identified 744 million Euros in ill-gotten gains in France. This is in addition to assets like the Nyom domain of the Secretary-General of the Presidency, valued at 18 billion FCFA, and properties in Dubai estimated at 44 billion FCFA. Lavish expenditures include stays at the Hotel Continental in Geneva, costing 50,000 dollars per night for the entire delegation. Allegations suggest that Mr. Biya, his wife, his son, the Secretary-General of the Presidency, the Director of the Civil Cabinet, the Director of the Civil Cabinet of the Presidency, the Minister of Territorial Administration, and many others have amassed substantial personal fortunes without fulfilling the constitutional obligation to declare their assets, as mandated by Article 66 of the Constitution.
My fellow citizens, the total estimated amount of this alleged predation is truly shocking. A conservative scenario places the figure at 26,000 billion francs FCFA. This sum, however, is considered a lower bound, as this regime has allegedly perfected the art of concealment through proxies and tax havens. Through reasoned extrapolation, our experts estimate that the actual amount could potentially reach 80,000 billion francs FCFA. To illustrate the sheer magnitude of this alleged plunder, with just 26,000 billion FCFA, Cameroon could have funded 36 years of salaries for all 380,000 teachers, healthcare professionals, and soldiers combined, or constructed 2,600 district hospitals, equating to 260 hospitals per region.
My dear compatriots, let it be clear: there will be no amnesty, nor will there be any secret negotiations exchanging impunity for a silent transition. Every high-ranking official found guilty of malfeasance will be held accountable for their actions before competent national and international jurisdictions.
