Cameroonian politician and anti-corruption crusader, Akere Muna, believes the country’s image is increasingly tarnished on the global stage.
Whether it’s public officials swindling state funds, people dying from accidents due to bad roads, or Cameroonians being arrested abroad for fraudulent activities, the country’s reputation is suffering.
Akere Muna, a former presidential hopeful in the 2018 elections, has expressed deep concern over these issues.
In a critique, Barrister Akere Muna highlighted a series of scandals and governance failures.
He wrote, “I am puzzled by the government’s true focus. Last month, in France, corruption allegations surfaced involving two Cameroonian tax officials and a French company. This month, the UK Attorney General will decide whether to prosecute individuals in a major corruption scandal involving high-ranking officials from SONARA, SNH, and Glencore. The names of those involved will soon be revealed.”
Muna also pointed out the inadequacies in the country’s infrastructure development, noting, “Meanwhile, it’s taking us over a decade to connect Cameroon’s key cities with a proper motorway. In a tragic incident, a 14-year-old riding public transport was shot and killed by an overzealous gendarme in Santchou.”
Adding to the list of issues, Muna mentioned, “A senior official from one of our sports federations was arrested in Switzerland for facilitating illegal immigration by creating a network of fake handball players.”
These issues, he emphasized, “are tarnishing our global image.”
Amidst these scandals, Muna is astonished by the government’s focus on suppressing opposition leaders who are exercising their constitutional rights.
He noted the recent order from Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji, directing regional governors to monitor the actions of political parties and NGOs. This move is seen as an attempt to intimidate opposition figures.
Furthermore, Muna criticized the government’s handling of road infrastructure, highlighting multiple fatalities due to poor road conditions.
He remarked that despite these pressing issues, the government has introduced a bill in the National Assembly to postpone municipal, parliamentary, and regional elections to March 2026.
The state media claims the purpose is to synchronize the electoral calendar, but many see it as a strategy to disqualify opposition leaders, particularly Maurice Kamto of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement.
In Muna’s view, the government’s priorities are misplaced, focusing more on consolidating power rather than addressing the country’s systemic issues.
