The Head of State and National President of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), Paul Biya during the opening session of the party’s Third Ordinary Congress in Yaounde on September 15, 2011 stated his resolve to intensify the fight against corruption and embezzlement of public funds.

He declared, “Be it known, ladies and gentlemen, dear comrades that I am fully determined to eliminate this scourge and to step up the fight against corruption without complacency, discrimination and irrespective of the social standing or political leaning of those found guilty. Nobody will consider himself or herself to be above the law.”

He continued during his October 2011 presidential election campaign speeches to reiterate his commitment to fight corruption and instil probity in the management of public funds. When the Budget and Finance Disciplinary Committee of the Supreme State Audit Office earlier this year started summoning some State officials in connection with the management of public affairs and funds at their disposal, many Cameroonians began acknowledging that the Head of State meant what he said.

The arrest and detention of former Prime Minister, Ephraim Inoni and former Minister of State, Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation, Marafa Hamidou Yaya last week at the Kondengui Prison in Yaounde pending their judgement on alleged corruption charges, have provoked a lot of reactions on the anti-corruption crusade. Cameroon’s political and civil society leaders have joined their voices to those of multitudes of Cameroonians