The National Identity Card has been in function from the very beginnings of our nation.

In fact, it is the sole document on which we rely to determine who is a Cameroonian and who is not. The notion of being each others’ keeper could have enabled us to rely solely on the fact that a good neighbour could come forward to attest to the nationality of any Cameroonian, based on ethnic group, place of birth or any other information that can attest to same.

But the legislator has gone even further in the exercise by putting in place other measures all meant to ensure the durability and certainty of the Cameroonian nationality, especially in a context where it is easy – for many reasons – to select whatever nationality is convenient for anyone in a world which is becoming more and more global and, even globalised. To the extent that even nationality or belonging to one nation exclusively is seen today as being too limitative in ambitions to contributing to global progress.

The National Identity Card was first introduced in Cameroon under very painful conditions. At the peak of the nationalistic struggle, it was the only instrument used to determine who was a good citizen or not. And, of course, the good citizen was that who did not cry out for his rights and was, therefore considered to be good for citizenship and, consequently, for the National Identity card. So, in the early years of independence, the possession of the NIC was a way of determining who was a good citizen and who was not.

Obviously, those who led the struggle were not considered good enough to deserve the card. Things have since changed! The Cameroon of today is not that of the early sixties when nationality was negotiated. Granted, it is still an important tool in determining who is a citizen and who is not; but it also has an important social function for all of those living on the national territory, least of which is not the necessity to recognize a citizen in difficult situations such as having to recognize a Cameroonian citizen in the case of an accident and when only documents, and not oral statements, can help determine the origin of victims.

Just as names help to determine and identify people, National Identity Cards also help in identifying Cameroonians and citizens must therefore desist from seeing this important document only as a requirement required from the police or the gendarmerie. The card is, first and foremost, a document that attests to your being part of the Cameroonian nation with all the honours, privileges as well as the obligations therein. The National Identity card, therefore ensures an important social function, far from being a pass-avant citizens have to show to the security agencies.