In a recent commentary, Armand Noutack II expressed his dismay that Cameroon seeks transformation only when its own minor fraudulent interests remain untouched. He highlighted the hypocrisy of individuals who vocally oppose the government during the day but secretly negotiate public contracts with ministers at night, often executing them poorly for substantial personal gain.

Cameroon: Who Truly Desires Change?

The recent initiative by Minister Motaze to audit the state payroll has brought many realities into sharp focus. It reveals that Cameroonians are only interested in change if it doesn’t disrupt their illicit financial gains.

This observation raises a critical question: Did President Biya design this pervasive system of corruption, or did he merely adapt to it to maintain power? Noutack II argues that Cameroonians are inherently resistant to progress, preferring the stability of the status quo and the advantages offered by their ‘networks.’ Practices considered unethical or even criminal elsewhere have become commonplace and accepted here.

He recounted a conversation with a uniformed officer who, over a beer, dismissed Minister Motaze’s audit, stating, “What Motaze is looking for, he will find; he cannot leave the big fish to go after the crumbs of state agents.”

This begs the question: How can one genuinely desire change while simultaneously opposing an operation designed to regulate and control state expenditures? How can one advocate for change while manipulating market scales, selling one kilogram of meat at the price of two?

Noutack II points to civil servants who claim to want change, yet flee to countries like Canada, leaving their bank cards with relatives who continue to collect their salaries in Cameroon. Once abroad, these same individuals are vocal on social media, demanding, “Paul Biya must go! We want change!” He challenges them: What service is being rendered to the Cameroonian state for that monthly salary?

The hypocrisy extends to political opponents. Many are seen on television during the day, lamenting the country’s decline and blaming President Biya. Yet, by 11 PM, they are meeting with ministers, negotiating millions or leveraging ‘friendships’ to secure places for their children, cousins, and nephews in prestigious schools.

Some present themselves as fierce opponents, but after midnight, they are at ministers’ homes, negotiating public contracts that they then poorly execute to maximize their profits.

Even merchants, who loudly proclaim, “Change is coming! Paul is bad! Long live Senegal!” are often guilty of tax evasion and tampering with product expiration dates, selling spoiled food to the public. What kind of change do they truly seek?

Those who decry, “The country is suffering, Biya must truly leave!” are often the same individuals who arrive at the office at 10 AM and leave by noon to manage their private shops in the central market or Mokolo, only to be first in line at the bank on the 25th to collect their salaries.

If you claim to desire change, yet you sell grades to students, engage in sexual or moral harassment, what change are you truly advocating for? You thrive on falsehoods and adulterated goods, yet you attend every opposition meeting, shouting for change, even financing electoral campaigns with ill-gotten money. What outcome do you expect from such actions?

“We are tired, truly tired of Paul Biya,” some exclaim, yet they are the ones tampering with water and electricity meters in their neighborhoods, even becoming illegal distributors of power to neighbors who pay them for energy they don’t produce. These individuals are also found at opposition rallies. If genuine change were to arrive, how would they sustain themselves?

“Look at Senegal, that’s democracy!” they say, yet in Cameroon, they sell their convictions for 2000 FCFA, a piece of bread, and a t-shirt. This is not a desire for change.

You litter everywhere, disregard all regulations, and dirty the streets, yet you follow an opposition leader, shouting for change. Noutack II suggests a fundamental self-reflection is needed.

What about doctors who abandon public hospitals to focus solely on their private clinics? Do they truly want change?

And the police officers on the roads whose only hope is that no motorist has all their papers in order, so they can be ‘processed at the till’? Do they desire change?

What about the promoters of private universities who create grandiose programs merely for commercial gain, exploiting parents, fully aware that their graduates will have no job prospects? Do they also want change?

And journalists whose headlines and reports each morning depend on the last phone call received at midnight? Do they truly want change?

What about school principals who buy their positions for millions, and once in service, exploit parents and cram students into classrooms like slaves on 15th-century ships? Do they also want change?

Do civil servants whose mood depends solely on the envelope handed to them by a user truly want change?

Setting aside ministers and high-ranking officials, whom we constantly accuse of corruption, are you, the ordinary citizen, truly certain you desire change?

The painful truth is that WE ARE CORRUPTED. If it were merely superficial corruption, it might be understandable, but our very MENTALITIES are afflicted, and that is where the real damage lies!

The Cameroonian only desires change where their fraudulent interests remain untouched. This applies to all Cameroonians, especially those who identify as opponents.

If you cannot embody the change you wish to see for your country, then remain silent.

Noutack II urges compliance with regulations: obtain birth certificates and proof of children’s schooling to justify family allowances. Otherwise, illegally received funds will be reimbursed, potentially leading to legal action.

He advises Minister Motaze to infiltrate every profession to identify and sanction field agents who allow themselves to be corrupted by fraudulent civil servants.

To rebuild Cameroon after President Biya’s departure, it will be essential to dismantle the ‘spider web of mental corruption’ that has ensnared all Cameroonians—both those in power and the ‘opposition’—for 43 years. Failure to do so will have dire consequences.

Thank you.

NOUTACK II, High School Professor.