Nouvelles

The encountered was prompted by an erroneous press report published by some French news organs accusing the Cameroon government of selective punishment of corrupt officials.

According to the report, the fight against corruption targets some and spares others. The Minister of Communication who is traditionally government’s spokesperson convened pressmen from six local news organs to outline and discuss governments approach towards the anti corruption campaign.

Each of the journalists on the panel took separate turns to table questions that are most preoccupying since the campaign began.

Alain Belibi, Director of Information, CRTV Radio coordinator of the panel, first introduced one of his colleagues from the private media.

He asked to know whether the campaign that started in 2004 was intended to get rid of President Paul Biya’s political adversaries.

This was opportunity for Issa Tchiroma Bakary to set the record straight. The present anti corruption campaign, he stated, started in 1982 when President Paul Biya was sworn in as Head of State.

He placed his administration under the banner of rigour and moralization and he has since been working to institute these virtues.

Issa Tchiroma Bakary was quick to remark that, what is today referred to as Operation Épervier (Sparrow Hawk) is a misrepresentation of the fact.

He stressed that it is an existing campaign that has just gained more steam and media attention since 2004.

Ful Peter of the Cameroon Radio Television, CRTV, expressed concern at the fact that in the process of arresting suspects, some are being humiliated and treated as convicts, violating the principle of presumption of innocence.

The Minister assured pressmen that the presumption of innocence is respected adding that no special instruction has been given to law enforcement officials to humiliate any suspect. Questions relating to very long judicial procedures were also asked.

The communication boss made it clear that the anti corruption drive initiated by President Paul Biya is exclusively carried out by the judiciary. He said it shall be unfair to comment on a procedure he does not master.

Armand Okol of ‘vision 4 media’ was concerned about information that had circulated relating to the reimbursement of funds purportedly stolen in exchange for liberty.

Here, the Minister made a stunning revelation, that the Cameroon Penal Code authorizes those accused of embezzling state funds to restitute the stolen fund and be discharged.

In order words, those accused have an opportunity to work out a deal with the judiciary to reimburse the stolen money and be set free.

Issa Tchiroma remarked that many accused are not willing to engage in this path because they don’t want to be seen as looters.

In relation to the repatriation of fund stocked in foreign banks,  Issa Tchiroma Bakary said Cameroon has friendly nations willing to assist the country locate and repatriate the stolen funds.

But the Minister would not evaluate how much is found in these foreign banks.

Another hot issue was the absence of the text of application for article 66 of the Penal Code which stipulates that officials are expected to declare their wealth before and after taking up top functions.

According to the Minister, the many specialised institutions in Cameroon have been very effective in tracking down corrupt officials even without a text of application for article 66.

The last question was from Alain Belibi who sought to know why the different suspects or convicts are placed in different detention centres.

 Issa Tchiroma remarked that these facilities are serving the purpose for which they were constructed, that no favours are done to some detainees.

 In an almost emotional closing statement, the Minister of Communication emphasised that the anti-corruption drive is a campaign that President Paul Biya is determined to carry to the end, it is not selective.

All top Cameroon government officials are collaborators of the Head of State who is answerable to the People.

The Minister cautioned journalists to close in their ranks so destabilisation forces do not take the upper hand.

To Cameroonians out of the country, Issa Tchiroma invited them to be part of the nation building process after all, there is no place like home.

Pamela Bidjocka, Editor