Combating Indiscipline, Disorder, Impunity!

Cameroonians from all social strata are obviously hoping for change in almost all areas of national life. They legitimately desire to see things done differently from what has obtained thus far. This may sound lousy for some, especially those who do not go through the daily struggles of others to make ends meet. Buts it’s a fact, change is a constant thing in life.

And why would change not be desired; seen and felt, when they are in a new year and with a new Presidential term of office. More so, the holder of the highest office of the land has pledged to do things differently so as to take the country and its people to another level of socio-economic development.

As a matter of fact, President Paul Biya has placed his just-begun mandate on the banner of, “Greatness and Hope” with outlined areas of focus for the next seven years. This ignites hope of a turnaround in results-barren actions and practices.

And in a logical continuation of his desire to make Cameroon greater, the Head of State has identified some of the bad practices that must be dealt with to keep the revolution dream alive. Addressing com- patriots on December 31, 2025 within the framework of his 2026 New Year speech, President Paul Biya said unequivocally that; “The nation-building process to which we are firmly committed cannot tolerate disorder, indiscipline and impunity. It is essential that we take vigorous control of the relevant sectors. We will set about doing so forthwith.” So many issues with each carrying so much meaning! Gover- nance malpractices, in fact; cankerworms, that must be tackled head-on to ascertain change that produces visible fruits. Reasonably so as indiscipline, disorder and impunity are highly destructive to good governance. The vices are predisposed to creating cycles of corruption, eroding the rule of law, undermining public trust and hindering effective service delivery. To say the least, they foster environments where laws are ignored, resources misused and those thought to be protectors becoming predators, leaving the State with the inability to provide basic services for the people. Analysts say such detestable practices sell accountability to the dogs, allowing abuses to flourish and crippling government’s ability to function effectively and equitably. It wouldn’t be a hyperbole to say Cameroon has al- most been at the fringes of this with arrogance and illicit wealth acquisition and accumulation taking a better part of national welfare. If not, what justifies the fact that a country hugely blessed with natural and human resources would be strug- gling to survive, sometimes importing to eat, even what she can produce in huge quantities for internal and external consumption. Why would the country’s roads be this poor when so much is being spent on infrastructure projects year in and out! Why would darkness cover cities and villages and intermittent power supply the order of the day in some areas when so much has been used for the construction of hydroelectricity dams! Talk less of potable water supply where the country is flooded...