Cameroonians’ resistance to change stems from deep-rooted societal complacency, argues educator Armand Noutack II

In a scathing opinion piece, high school teacher and political analyst Armand Noutack II exposes what he describes as Cameroonians’ collective refusal to embrace progressive values. He contends that the nation’s stagnation is as much a product of societal attitudes as it is of political leadership, with citizens prioritizing personal gain over systemic improvement.

The commentator highlights a paradox: while many Cameroonians vocally demand change, they simultaneously resist measures that threaten their own vested interests. Noutack singles out the current administration’s efforts to audit state payrolls, suggesting they reveal the true nature of public sentiment toward reform. “The Cameroonian people want change only when it doesn’t interfere with their fraudulent little schemes,” he declares.

He questions whether President Biya deliberately engineered the existing system of corruption or simply adapted to it to maintain power. His critique extends to all segments of society, from educators to law enforcement, accusing them of perpetuating the very dysfunctions they publicly condemn.

Daily hypocrisy: when demands for change clash with personal conduct

Noutack paints a vivid picture of societal double standards. He cites examples of:

• Civil servants who flee to countries like Canada while family members continue collecting their salaries, only to post online rants about wanting Biya out of power
• Opposition figures who publicly rail against the government at night but privately negotiate lucrative public contracts by day
• Business owners who decry national conditions while selling expired goods or evading taxes
• Educators who demand reform yet exploit students through bribery and sexual harassment
• Police officers who complain about corruption while extorting motorists on the roads

The commentator reserves particular scorn for those who romanticize foreign systems like Senegal’s democracy while engaging in domestic corruption. “You want change? Then change yourself first,” he challenges readers.

A national reckoning: confronting the roots of corruption

Noutack argues that Cameroon’s corruption runs far deeper than political elites, describing it as a “mental virus” that has infected all levels of society. He calls for:

• Stringent audits targeting not just ministers but mid-level officials who enable corruption
• A cultural shift that prioritizes integrity over transactional relationships
• Consequences for those who profit from the system while publicly decrying it

His prescription is clear: Cameroon cannot progress until citizens stop demanding change while perpetuating the conditions that make progress impossible. The nation’s future, he warns, depends on whether Cameroonians can summon the courage to examine their own roles in the nation’s decline.

Noutack concludes with a challenge to the public and a warning to the administration: “If we cannot be the change we claim to want, then we should remain silent. Otherwise, we risk repeating the same cycles of corruption for another 43 years.”

Armand Noutack II
High School Teacher and Political Commentator