Cameroon’s 2023 Anti-Corruption Report reveals that the state lost CFA 144 billion (over $190 million) due to corruption. This highlights an ongoing issue that undermines governance and weakens public trust in institutions. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (CONAC) reports some progress in investigations and sanctions, but the decline in contributions from key sectors shows resistance to real change.
Key Findings
The report summarizes 84 submissions from ministries, courts, and civil society organizations. The Education Sector was identified as a major area for corruption, with common complaints including:
- Misuse of Parent Teacher Association (PTA) funds
- Bribery for school enrollment
- Illegal increases in exam registration fees
In regional and local authorities, issues like extortion for birth certificates and illegal municipal fees further demonstrate widespread corruption. Reports of corruption increased by 6.45% in 2023, rising from 7,061 to 7,548, reflecting growing public frustration.
Declining Participation from Key Stakeholders
Despite the severity of the corruption crisis, participation from key stakeholders has significantly decreased. Private sector contributions dropped from four to one, and civil society input declined from seven to two. Religious communities made no contributions this year, raising concerns about their commitment to fighting corruption.
Commitment from Leadership
Only seven out of 384 regional and local authorities submitted reports to CONAC, highlighting a lack of engagement at the local level. This disengagement contrasts with the improved quality of submissions from other entities, showing that while some are committed, many remain indifferent or overwhelmed.
Financial Losses from Corruption
CONAC investigations revealed that CFAF 69 billion was lost due to corruption in various state projects, including road construction and educational initiatives. The scale of these losses underscores the need for urgent reform.
Legal action has increased, with 9,925 public officials sanctioned in 2023, compared to only 188 in 2022. However, the inconsistency of penalties across different administrations raises concerns about accountability. The absence of a unified anti-corruption law makes enforcement uneven and weakens deterrence.
Resistance to Reform
While some ministries have developed innovative anti-corruption initiatives, such as Braille messages and digitalization efforts, these are insufficient to combat deeply entrenched corruption. Key ministries, like Territorial Administration and Water Resources, failed to contribute to the report, signaling resistance to transparency.
The report also highlights widespread absenteeism, especially in the Ministry of Secondary Education, where nearly 10,000 officials were penalized. This absenteeism drains public resources and fosters a culture of impunity.
Efforts Against Money Laundering
Cameroon’s National Agency for Financial Investigation received 965 reports of suspicious transactions, an 11.05% increase from 2022. However, the impact of these efforts remains unclear given the extensive corruption losses.
The Special Criminal Court has been active in recovering stolen assets, with CFAF 1.4 billion reclaimed. Still, the challenge is ensuring these funds are used effectively for public benefit rather than lost in bureaucratic inefficiencies.
Call for Comprehensive Reform
The 2023 report calls for a critical evaluation of Cameroon’s efforts to combat corruption. While there are successes, the overall picture is one of systemic failure, disengagement, and lack of accountability.
President Paul Biya’s Statement
“Efforts to combat corruption and misappropriation of public funds are vital for protecting national resources and will be intensified in the coming year.”
This means that stakeholders must renew their commitment to transparency, enact stronger anti-corruption laws, and build a culture of integrity. Only with determined efforts can Cameroon recover the billions lost to corruption and restore public trust in its institutions. The fight against corruption continues, and the 2023 report serves as a wake-up call and a roadmap for essential reforms.