Cameroonians’ hypocrisy in the name of change

The high school teacher and political commentator Armand Noutack II has delivered a stinging rebuke to Cameroonian society, accusing citizens of embracing stagnation while loudly demanding transformation. In a recent op-ed, he questions whether the nation truly desires change—or merely lip service.

Change for me, not for you

Noutack highlights a paradox: Cameroonians criticize government corruption yet participate in it daily. “Some parade as fierce opponents by day but by midnight, they’re in ministers’ offices negotiating public contracts they execute poorly to rake in massive profits,” he writes. Their hypocrisy extends to every corner of society.

Public servants who flee abroad while keeping their salaries: Noutack points to Cameroonians living in Canada who still receive their government salaries through relatives, all while posting on Facebook: “Paul Biya must go! We demand change!” Yet these individuals contribute nothing to the state they criticize.

Business owners who evade taxes yet demand better governance: Traders who sell expired goods, underreport revenues, and demand Senegal-style democracy are part of the problem. “You want change but traffic in rotten meat? Which change do you envision, my friend?” he asks.

Teachers who sell grades and police who extort motorists: Noutack condemns educators who exploit students for profit, law enforcement that turns roads into toll booths, and university promoters running diploma mills. “Change for whom?” he demands.

Health workers who desert public hospitals for private clinics: These professionals prioritize personal gain over public service, yet still call for systemic reform.

Corruption as a way of life

The professor reserves his harshest criticism for Cameroonians’ mental acceptance of corruption. “We are all corrupt—not superficially, but in our very mentalities,” he states. “This isn’t a problem just for leaders; it’s a societal plague.”

Noutack calls for sweeping reforms to dismantle the “web of mental corruption” that has ensnared Cameroonians for 43 years. “If we cannot change ourselves, we have no right to demand change from others,” he concludes. “Authentic transformation begins with accountability—starting with you and me.”

Armand Noutack II, High School Teacher