Mustapha Ngouana: «Cameroon operates in a state of perpetual stagnation»

In a scathing critique of the country’s leadership, prominent jurist Mustapha Ngouana has painted a bleak picture of governance in Cameroon, describing the nation as trapped in a cycle of unfulfilled promises and administrative inertia.

During a recent appearance on the political debate show Droit de Réponse, Ngouana highlighted what he termed «permanent missteps» in the management of state affairs by the highest authorities. His assessment leaves little room for optimism: Cameroon is not merely poorly governed — it is, in his words, operating on «autopilot.»

Broken Promises and Repeated Failures

The legal expert pointed to several landmark cases where presidential commitments failed to materialize:

• The delayed 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN): Despite presidential assurances that the tournament would proceed as scheduled, logistical and organizational failures forced multiple postponements.
• The 50th Anniversary of Reunification: Originally planned for 2011 to mark 50 years since the union of French and British Cameroons, the celebrations were postponed until 2014.

These incidents, Ngouana argued, are not isolated failures but symptomatic of a deeper malaise. «Our nation is at a standstill,» he declared. «When people speak of poor governance, they are being too kind. This is not poor governance — it is non-governance.»

Public Trust Eroded by Chronic Inaction

The debate, centered on the theme «Shattered Trust: Public Opinion vs. Unkept Promises», underscored the growing disconnect between government rhetoric and tangible outcomes. Ngouana criticized the lack of accountability, noting that repeated pledges from the presidency have consistently fallen short of expectations.

«The president has repeatedly made decisions with deadlines that were never met,» he stated. «This pattern has become so common that Cameroonians have grown numb to broken vows. We are no longer surprised — we expect failure.»

Call for Structural Reform

While his analysis is unflinching, Ngouana did not limit himself to criticism. He urged a fundamental overhaul of the country’s administrative and political systems, warning that without structural reform, the cycle of stagnation will persist.

«Cameroon cannot continue on this path,» he concluded. «We need leaders who act with urgency, not those who manage crises by inertia.»