FIGHTING CORRUPTION


The Chamber inside the Parliament building


must avoid practices such as the rigging of elections and conflict of interest that could trigger disrespect for constitutional institutions and authorities and ignore the will of the people.


Finally, and most


importantly, we should remove corrupt practices that could share a nexus with organized crime. This includes practices like cover-ups in our national security services as well as anti-corruption and regulatory institutions. Through bribery


and denial of access to public services, organized crime groups can nominate key security and regulatory officials to


effective and efficient allocation of public expenditure. These inordinate practices go a long way to undercut government capacity to collect and generate revenue as foreign and lo- cal investment decisions are hindered by uncertainty in our market and economy caused by the high cost and time wasted associated with our bureaucracy. • Corrupt practices that could spur conflict and create an obstacle to consolidating peace in Cameroon: This includes addressing issues of money laundering, smuggling of goods and military supplies as well as appeasing belligerents in order to negotiate peace. This only leads to fostering other forms of competitive corruption between different factions that may want to adapt the same tac- tics, thereby contributing to a potential State failure as the ability of govern- ment leaders to ensure and sustain stability and peace is undermined.


To ensure that the fight against


corruption is upheld by our leaders: Corrupt practices that hinder the ability of women to contribute their capacity to our development and


economic growth must be curbed: Practices such as sexual exploitation, harassment, denial of access to public services and promotion, in addition to other discriminatory practices and customs that undermine women’s physical integrity and expose them to violence in schools, universities, hospitals, public and private offices and well as religious institutions should be tracked and sanctioned. Similarly our leaders should ensure that women are guaranteed adequate safety and protection from abuse and discrimination by legislation and to see that such legislations are enforced locally.


In order to make the fight against


corruption a permanent task on the agenda of our leaders, it is necessary that: Any corrupt practice that debilitates/ drains the effects and contribution of our natural resources to our economy and collective welfare must be addressed: Despite our enormous natural resources and diversity, many Cameroonians are still mired in poverty and suffer from want of basic necessities such as water and


electricity. As public revenue earned from selling such resources are being squandered through corruption and mismanagement, the economic gains of our efforts and resources cannot be perceived in either the quality of life for most Cameroonians or the nature of infrastructure that is required to modernize our economy. Another permanent task for us as


leaders is to eradicate the corruption that violates human rights. Practices such as bribery, tax evasion, complicity and cover-ups, pay-offs and conflict of interest prevents access to justice for most Cameroonians and undermines their right to liberty, justice and a fair trial.


As leaders we must permanently


commit ourselves to weeding out such corrupt practices in our judiciary that subvert the principle of non- discrimination, political rights and freedom of expression. To continue in the fight against


corruption we must avoid practices that foster an anti-democratic environment. Corrupt practices hinder multilateral and bilateral cooperation and partnerships with countries interested in doing business. We


cover up for their activities and in turn receive benefits. This exposes our people, nation as well as resources to the risk of armed violence from terrorist groups and organizations seeking power via illegitimate and un-democratic means. This could lead to the increase of other crimes such as human and drug trafficking as well as money laundering and extortion.


Conclusion The art of fighting corruption in Cameroon by its leaders cannot be sporadic or occasional, it has to be orchestrated by a determination to make anti-corruption programmes in Cameroon as well as policies and strategies work effectively. To accomplish this, leaders have


to work permanently and consistently; mobilizing and engaging both ordinary citizens and public institutions in monitoring delivery effectiveness of government programmes as well as respect for accountability and transparency requirements within private and public service institutions. In doing so, Cameroon will not lag behind on its part in the global fight against corruption.


The Parliamentarian | 2014: Issue Three - Cameroon | 29


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