A REFLECTION ON ABAKWA's WEEKLY RETROSPECTIVE Saturday 17th August, 2013
I was shocked a few days ago when I posted a story on my
blog titled “breaking news” mezam divisional delegation accused of corruption”
and the very first comment came from an indian friend ahktar asking “is
corruption still breaking news in Cameroon?” By that I understand that corruption is
already so identical to Cameroon and Cameroonians in such a way that being corrupt
may be considered normal.
This is not an image a right thinking leader will want
people to make of his country. Unfortunately
for Cameroon and Cameroonians it is already so. Creating institutions to name
and shame corrupt persons in any form can be the only possible way to an answer
the question what do we do now?
In March 2006 according to decree no 2006/o88 the President
of the republic created the National Anti-Corruption commission NACC with the mission
to contribute to the fight against corruption.
If one were to go by word and name interpretation it will
certainly be obvious that NACC or CONAC might have just been given a goat and
rope held by the giver.
By the decree creating the commission it is expected to be
an independent public body but then it is placed under the authority of the
President of the Republic. Considering the president of the republic as an
institution and not an individual it is clear that those who occupy that office
are naturally expected to be so pure and corruption free such that they will be
able to whole a corrupt person or persons to account for their misdeeds. How I which
that was the case?
Apart from the associated documents and legislation attached
to the creation of NACC the penal code and now the criminal procedure code
still remains vital instruments for the fight against anything criminal in Cameroon.
This is as far as sanctions and punishment for those involved in corruption is
concerned. As the September 30 elections draw near it is important to remind
ourselves of some basics election related offences that could cause the law to
turn its eyes on us even though it may only look and will see on what it wants
to see or those it wants to see. Remember Ignorance is tantamount to guilty
before the law.
The current electoral code in part 7 examines sanctions that
await the corrupt specifically during the electoral process. This is handled in
sections 288, 289, 290, 291, 292 and 293. The penal code in sections 122,
123,141, 184, equally hands the sanctions. But how serious can the
implementation of these laws be when some things have been normalized in the
electoral process. For example in sections 289 of the electoral code if through
gifts, generosity, favours, promises of public or private employment or any
other specific benefits offered with the purpose of influencing the vote or
several electors, obtain their vote, either directly or through a third party, it continues if through assault, violence or
threats against an elector either by making him fear to lose his job or expose
himself, his family or fortune to a danger, influence his vote, sections 123
sun 1 of the penal code says such a person or group of persons shall be
punished with a prison term of three months to two years and a fine of ten to
one hundred thousand francs (10.000 to
100.000FCFA) or with one of these two sanctions.
Does this not sound like a joke. Already political parties
are raising colossal sums of money to use during campaigns what shall it be
used for? Certainly to influence votes. It happened before and from all
indications it will continue to happen.
This amongst others puts to question the dos and do not of
the Anti-Corruption structure. However since their mission was basically to
contribute to the fight against corruption holding seminars and publishing
reports like they have been doing is a form of contribution and which falls
within their mission. Expecting that they arrest and detain may be asking for
too much from NACC though it also puts to question the reason behind the
creation of institutions to fight corruption in Cameroon.