In a compelling tale shedding light on the persistent challenges faced by some Cameroonians, Nguofack Franck, a 34-year-old resident of Douala’s Deido district, hosted a joyous celebration on Monday evening to mark the long-awaited receipt of his original identity card after an arduous six-year wait.
Franck’s ordeal commenced in 2018 when he applied for his national identity card—a document pivotal for tasks ranging from banking to voting. Unfortunately, bureaucratic hurdles ensnared his application, leaving him without official identification for years, with only a temporary cartoon copy issued for a purported three-month use while awaiting the original.
Undeterred by the setbacks, Franck remained hopeful. He persisted with numerous visits to the 9th police district in Deido, consistently following up on his original copy despite encountering repeated delays. Finally, yesterday marked the culmination of his perseverance as he collected his long-awaited ID card and was handed the elusive original.
Overwhelmed with joy and a sense of relief, Franck opted for a unique celebration. He gathered his friends and treated them to a celebratory meal before a night of dancing and partying at a nearby club.
“This ID card may seem like a small piece of plastic, but to me, it represents so much more,” expressed Franck. “For the past six years, I’ve felt like I was living in the shadows, unable to fully participate in society. Now, I finally feel like a full Cameroonian.”
Franck’s narrative resonates with many Cameroonians grappling with similar challenges in obtaining identification documents. The issue of delayed ID card deliveries has affected hundreds of individuals, with some waiting for their original copies for almost a decade, and tragically, some passing away without ever receiving it.
The usual process involves receiving a cartoon copy on the same day of application and obtaining the original after a three-month waiting period. However, in recent years, individuals have faced nightmarish delays, sometimes being asked to redo the entire process.
In October of the previous year, the Delegate General for National Security (DGSN), the government entity responsible for issuing identification documents, announced plans to engage a service provider for the biometric ID cards on a Build-Operate-Transfer basis. According to Martin Mbarga Nguélé, DSGN chief, this initiative aimed to establish three autonomous biometric identity card production facilities in Yaounde, Douala, and Garoua, along with 15 contemporary biometric enrollment posts in each of the country’s ten regional headquarters.
However, as of now, no progress has been observed, leaving many Cameroonians frustrated and feeling abandoned in their struggle for identity cards. Despite these challenges, some maintain hope that the vital document will be delivered within 48 hours, offering a glimpse of optimism in the face of bureaucratic obstacles.
