“Post-HIPC period should serve as a new beginning for Cameroon”

Mirabel Azangeh Tandafor

The United States Ambassador to Cameroon, Niels Marquardt, has warned Cameroonians about misconceiving the so-much-heralded post-completion point of the Highly Indebted Poor Counties Initiative, HIPC, as a period of relaxation. Speaking at this year's annual press conference in Yaounde last January 19, 2006, Marquardt said the post-HIPC phase, estimated to be attained by June this year, could be an important step in Cameroon's economic and democratic development, provided Cameroonians do not slacken their efforts thereafter.

He said that the completion point marks the beginning, and not the end of any work geared towards the realisation of Cameroon's tremendous potentials. To him, reaching this point means "debt reduction and access to new lending". But he warned: "the day a consumer pays off his debts is not the time to go on a new shopping spree!"
He acknowledged the fact that although much work has so far been done, so much is still left undone. He prayed that the post-HIPC phase should provide the means and momentum for Cameroon to carry on with the drive towards important fundamental economic, political and social reforms.

Corruption in Cameroon
In a saddened note, Marquardt remarked that a well-developed culture of corruption appears to have taken root in Cameroon, of late; with no institution showing any signs of immunity to the scourge. As a result, corruption is being practiced in Cameroon today by virtually everyone; even children.
The situation today indicates  that Cameroon has an entirely different definition for this word,  further made worse by the non-implementation of Article 66, which demands that the President, the Prime Minister, other members of government, top ranking officials, Members of the Bureau of the National Assembly, amongst others, should declare their assets and property at the beginning and at the end of their tenure of office.
Quoting President Paul Biya, Ambassador Niels Marquardt stated that it is impossible to eradicate poverty when public funds are steadily being stolen from the people. He said that corruption does not only end at the small cases of individuals extorting bribe money in the course of their duties, but also that there are very big cases where official positions are being abused to divert millions of Francs for personal enrichment.
This therefore poses the problem of effective tools with which to fight the war against corruption, which state authorities recently re-launched in the South Province. According to Marquardt, it is not enough to sack or publish the names of corruption suspects. "Those accused of corruption must be formerly charged, tried in court and sentenced if found guilty. Their ill-gotten gains must be confiscated and returned to the public treasury…" He said Cameroon also needs to prosecute other criminal cases, as well.
Its courts must be free from interference and everyone must be subjected to the law. Role of the media Marquardt stated that the media has a role to play: "…by seeking the truth, covering and reporting fairly the facts, showing courage in informing the public - and refraining from using the access to public opinion for settling scores."
He encouraged media practitioners to serve as good examples of professionalism through accuracy in reporting, cross-checking information, balanced reporting and going for the facts above sensation. He pledged the US Embassy's devotion to assist and partner with Cameroonians the development of the sector. He said the US Embassy would continue its efforts to raise the standard of journalism in Cameroon, and with Cameroonians as partners.

Democracy
Mr Niels Marquardt informed journalists that democracy does not only become pertinent at the nearness of elections. He said, having learnt from the lessons of the 2004 Presidential elections, so much is going on behind the scenes to ensure a hitch-free 2007 Legislative and Municipal elections in Cameroon.
He further revealed that serious conversations are going on between Cameroon and the US with respect to the construction of major infrastructure in the road sector, the Port, mining projects, possible transformation of minerals, and the energy sector; amongst others.
However, be it by American private investors or public investors, announcements about these would be made at the appropriate time.