Fight Against Corruption: Urgent Action Needed!

In a press conference held in Bonangando-Deido, Douala, on January 27, former Member of Parliament, Jean-Jacques Ekindi, addressed the escalating crisis of corruption, characterizing it as a terminal illness that threatens the nation’s integrity. “Corruption is everywhere. Once viewed as shameful, it has now become a triumphant norm”, Mr Ekindi stated, emphasizing that both the public and private sectors are deeply affected by this pervasive issue. Corruption, likened to cancer, has infiltrated all levels of society, causing significant harm to the nation’s stability and growth. Jean-Jacques Ekindi pointed out that despite the longstanding discussions on this issue by governments, politicians, judges, civil society, and citizens, the phenomenon only seems to be worsening. “As time passes, corruption spreads and develops”, Mr Ekindi remarked. He questioned the effectiveness of existing mechanisms to combat this scourge. He disclosed that the penal code criminalizes corruption involving public officials but fails to hold corrupting parties accountable. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (CONAC), established in 2006, he said, struggles with limited resources and an insufficient mandate. While current judicial processes inadequately address the scale of corruption, with the Special Criminal Court primarily focusing on embezzlement rather than broader corrupt practices. The politician added that although Cameroon has ratified international conventions against corruption, the practical implementation remains slow. Mr Ekindi identified several weaknesses in the fight against corruption including legal protections primarily targeting civil servants, neglecting the broader corruption landscape that affects all citizens. CONAC's limited budget undermines its capacity to tackle corruption effectively. Judicial ineffectiveness which ensure that many high-profile corruption cases remain unresolved, leaving significant perpetrators unpunished. In light of these challenges, he proposed a series of actionable strategies to combat corrupti...