Government’s efforts to tackle corruption and its impact on the economy and the development strides of Cameroon have been sustained and consistent.

Yet, at most turns in the evolution of the resolve, there have been attempts to either hijack the process or divert public attention from the issues. Some have even formed fake lobbies or evoked ludicrous pressure from the international community, taking subterfuge in freedom or human rights to justify their case.

Understandably, those caught in the act may never want to accept their crime because of the consequences, especially when they happened to have held high public office deserving better respect. Such examples are legion and the Head of State, who is the guarantor of State institutions, has often been unequivocal about the defence of public interest.

Those who today attempt to divert public attention from the Head of State’s avowed goal to rid the country of corruption are either out to willingly conceal the truth or simply want to pull the blanket to their side. President Biya’s declarations at the Ordinary Congress of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, CPDM, party on 15 and 16 September, 2011 in Yaounde were edifying.

“We are still facing, I must say, a serious problem of public morality. Despite our efforts to combat social ills and fraud, misappropriation of public funds and corruption continue to erode the foundations of our society. I have often expressed myself on that issue and stated my determination to eradicate this antisocial behaviour. Severe sanctions were meted out in recent months. We will not stop midway. Those who enriched themselves by embezzling public funds will be forced to give back ill-gotten gains.” This and other statements by the Head of State have unfortunately not touched the right cords in some high State officials, thereby leading to their eventual arrest and trial.

However, be it people arraigned for corruption and embezzlement or other misdemeanours, the fact remains that they are Cameroonians and their actions can be treated like any other felony.  Unfortunately, rather than seek amends, some have resolved to create networks aimed at provoking Cameroonians and the laws of the land by showing how connected there are to make the country move they way they want. Consequently, reducing the recent acts of clemency granted by the Head of State on 18 February 2014 to the likes of Professor Titus Edzoa and Mr. Michel Thierry Atangana to acting on foreign pressure sounds ludicrous.

Western democracies have over the years been credited for the rule of law and governance. It therefore sounds out of place that those guilty of misappropriation of public funds in Cameroon should be seen as victims rather than aggressors, given the consequences of their actions on the wellbeing of Cameroonians. The timing of their release, as President Paul Biya indicated in Buea, South West Regional capital, was to enable them savour the reunification fragrance that the country was witnessing with a public holiday and nationwide festivities.

In addition, the existence of appropriate instruments in the country to tackle cases of citizens who go against the law should be enough arguments for anyone advocating for the wrong cause to understand that Cameroon is a country where the rule of law exists.

Thus, when the Head of State recalled in front of CPDM supporters and other partners that; “We now have appropriate institutional machinery for tracking all forms of corruption. The Audit Bench ... The National Anti-corruption Commission, the National Financial Investigation Agency and numerous tenders’ boards all have an essential mission to serve this national cause. White collar criminals should pay heed!”

The message was certainly addressed to all those who mean well for Cameroon. This is just to say that those who hold brief for embezzlers and corrupt officials are being unfair to the people of Cameroon.