Professor Shanda Tonme, head of both the Independent Commission Against Corruption and Discrimination (COMICODI) and the Popular Movement for Dialogue and Reconciliation (MPDR), issues a sobering assessment: ‘There are no villages, tribes, clans or personal connections in this equation. There is only Cameroon—and there will only ever be Cameroon.’

This isn’t just about corruption scandals or embezzled state funds—it’s about the very survival of our nation.

AN EXISTENTIAL THREAT TO THE NATION, THE STATE AND THE REPUBLIC

No citizen is above the law. The government, the vice president, and all officials must face consequences—starting with a thorough, if partial, cleanup of our political landscape. The damage runs deep, and public frustration has reached a boiling point.

We stand at a crossroads. Do we settle for superficial fixes with recycled toxic actors, selected under questionable influence networks? Or do we commit to building robust, pragmatic institutions led by truly honest, patriotic leaders?

President Paul Biya has governed through decades of relentless challenges. While some may criticize his leadership, few can deny his endurance, his capacity to listen, and his tolerance in the face of repeated betrayals by close collaborators. Yet the scale of corruption, the depth of systemic decay, and the urgency of reform demand more than just patience—they require strategic vision.

Cameroon is not a machine with simple levers. It cannot be ‘fixed’ overnight. Any attempt to force change without careful planning risks plunging the nation into chaos. Consider the example of a newly appointed board chairman demanding over 100 million FCFA to renovate his personal residence. The stakes are high, and the president is weighing every move carefully.

How do you navigate a minefield of venomous betrayals without destroying the very foundations of the nation? Time has revealed both explicit and hidden traitors. There will be no sacred cows, no untouchables, no immunity for those woven into networks of toxic influence and illicit gains. Let the president reflect on his disappointments, channel his justified anger, and find the strength to act—because this is not just about governance, but about the future of generations to come.

There are no villages, tribes, clans or personal connections in this equation. There is only Cameroon—and there will only ever be Cameroon. It is reckless to claim that time is running out. A nation’s destiny does not operate on a deadline. Building a better future requires patience, sacrifice, and long-term commitment. This is not just a political crisis—it is an existential one.