Armand Noutack II, a high school teacher and political observer, highlights a societal paradox: Cameroonians, he argues, are not truly progressive, preferring the status quo and the comfort of ‘networks’. What would be considered scandalous elsewhere has become commonplace here.

In a recent public statement, Armand Noutack II expressed his dismay that Cameroon only desires change when its own petty, fraudulent interests remain untouched. He vividly describes a scenario where “some present themselves as fierce opponents during the day, but by midnight, they are visiting ministers to negotiate public contracts which they then execute poorly to secure massive profits.”

Cameroon: who genuinely seeks transformation?

The launch of Minister Motaze’s initiative to audit the state payroll has provided Noutack II with profound insights. He observes that Cameroon’s populace seems to crave change only as long as their personal, illicit gains are not jeopardized.

He ponders whether the widespread system of corruption was orchestrated by President Biya or if the President merely adapted to it as a means of retaining power. Noutack II insists that Cameroonians are not forward-thinking; they are deeply attached to the existing order and thrive on ‘networks’ – informal systems of influence and favoritism. Actions considered sacrilegious in other societies have become normalized here.

He recounts a conversation with a uniformed man who, over a beer, remarked, “What Motaze is looking for, he will find out; he cannot leave the big fish alone to go after the crumbs of state agents.”

This raises a crucial question: how can one genuinely advocate for change while simultaneously objecting to an operation designed simply to regulate and control state expenditures? How can one demand change yet manipulate market scales, selling one kilogram of meat at the price of two?

Noutack II points to numerous examples of this hypocrisy:

• Some civil servants, claiming to desire change, have fled Cameroon for Canada, yet they ensure their bank cards remain with relatives who continue to collect their salaries in Cameroon. Once abroad, these same individuals post on social media, proclaiming, “Paul Biya must go! We want change!” Noutack II challenges them: what service does that monthly salary represent to the Cameroonian state?
• Certain individuals present as vocal opposition figures on television during the day, lamenting the country’s decline and blaming President Biya. Yet, by 11 PM, they are meeting with ministers, negotiating for millions or leveraging ‘friendship’ to secure places for their children, cousins, and nephews in prestigious schools.
• Others position themselves as fierce critics publicly, only to be found at ministers’ homes at midnight, striking deals for public contracts that they deliberately underperform to maximize their illicit profits.
• A merchant might loudly demand “change” and criticize the government, even praising countries like Senegal. However, this same merchant avoids paying taxes and tampers with product expiration dates to sell spoiled food. What kind of change do they truly seek?
• Many complain that “the country is doing badly, Biya must go,” yet they arrive at work at 10 AM, abandon their posts by noon to manage their personal businesses in the central market or Mokolo, and are the first in line at the bank on the 25th of the month.
• Those who claim to want change are often the same ones who sell grades to students, or engage in sexual and moral harassment. What transformation do they envision?
• Living solely on falsified or adulterated goods, these individuals attend every opposition meeting, shouting for change, even financing electoral campaigns with ill-gotten gains. What outcome can such actions possibly achieve?
• The sentiment, “We are tired, truly tired of Paul Biya,” is often uttered by those who illegally tamper with their water and electricity meters, even becoming unofficial distributors of power to neighbors for a fee, for energy they do not produce. Yet, they too attend opposition gatherings. If genuine change were to arrive, how would such individuals sustain themselves?
• People admire Senegal’s democracy but readily sell their convictions for 2000 FCFA, a piece of bread, and a T-shirt. This, Noutack II argues, is not a desire for real change.
• Those who indiscriminately litter, disregard regulations, and dirty the streets, yet stand behind an opposition figure demanding change, are told to reflect on their own conduct.
• What about doctors who abandon public hospitals to focus solely on their private clinics? Do they genuinely desire change?
• And police officers on the roads whose primary goal is to find fault with motorists’ papers to extract ‘tolls’? Do they seek change?
• What about promoters of private universities who establish flashy programs purely for commercial gain, exploiting parents, fully aware that their graduates will have no job prospects? Do they also want change?
• Journalists whose headlines and reports are dictated by late-night phone calls? Do they truly want change?
• And school principals who purchase their positions for millions, then exploit parents and cram students into classrooms like slaves on 15th-century ships? Do they seek change?
• Civil servants whose demeanor is solely dependent on the envelope an applicant hands them? Do they desire change?

Noutack II urges a shift in focus from ministers and high-ranking officials, whom everyone acknowledges are implicated, to the ordinary citizen. He asks: are you, the average Cameroonian, truly committed to change?

The stark truth, he concludes, is that WE ARE CORRUPTED. If the corruption were superficial, it might be manageable, but our MENTALITIES are afflicted, and therein lies the true pain. The Cameroonian, he asserts, desires change only where their fraudulent interests are not impacted. This applies to all Cameroonians, especially those who claim to be in opposition.

“If you cannot embody the change you wish to see in your country, then remain silent,” Noutack II advises. He highlights the ongoing demand for birth certificates and school attendance proofs to justify family allowances, warning that failure to comply will lead to repayment of illegally obtained funds and potential legal action.

Noutack II strongly recommends that Minister Motaze infiltrate every professional sector to identify and penalize field agents who succumb to corruption from fraudulent officials. He believes that to truly build Cameroon after President Biya’s departure, it will be essential to dismantle the intricate web of mental corruption that has ensnared all Cameroonians – both those in power and in the ‘opposition’ – for the past 43 years. Failure to do so, he warns, will lead to dire consequences.