The African Football Confederation (CAF) says Cameroon would not have been ready to host even a four nations tournament citing epic corruption by Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) and frightening levels of insecurity

"The fact that Cameroon has appeared in Amnesty International Report twice or thrice as the world’s most corrupt country should encourage the leaders to treat this latest thievery as a matter of emergency  to prove to the world that much is being done in Cameroon today to combat corruption." JWN

ByJackson W. Nanje

For government leaders of the Republic of Cameroon to think that Cameroonians would let go of the massive corruption that led to the cancellation of their rights to host the African Cup of Nations, it is mind-boggling. While we must continue to regret the lost opportunity of not hosting the 2019 and maybe the 2021 African Cup of Nations due to gross mismanagement by FECAFOOT authorities, to turn a blind eye and not examine what went wrong to hold individuals found guilty of the gross mismanagement responsible, it will be a risky undertaken. In a civilized society its leaders would immediately summon a special commission to investigate what went wrong and fix the problem(s) from ever reoccurring, again. Not in Cameroon, where its leaders have sunken to an expected low. It should be noted too that, funds donated by CAF and FIFA governing bodies to Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), have a history of being mismanaged. And this will continue to manifest because of the hands-free attitude of officials at the Justice Ministry, who have hardly held the embezzling perpetrators responsible except for Cameroon’s FECAFOOT Chief, Iya Mohammed. A slew of individuals must be responsible for these thieveries inside FECAFOOT and the government should be very proactive at investigating and bringing charges on those responsible for these criminal acts.

We, at Nanje School of Creative Thinking believe that, there are underlying layers of corruption that has caused CAF authorities to withdraw Cameroon’s victorious bid of 2014. And even after several inspections and warnings to Cameroon authorities to get their acts together, a lot was still to be desired of them. Conversely, to not investigate what went wrong and hold each person found directly guilty for this abject rejection by CAF, responsible, it will be undermining the Cameroonian people who have invested mightily thus far in anticipation of potential economic earnings. It will also be a mark of an irresponsible government which does not seek to be accountable to the governed. CAF is watching over Cameroon to see if the only reform they will institute for the aborted 2019 hosting is removal of old corrupt individuals by way of election absent of investigation and punishment of leaders of this corrupt institution.

Incompetence, arrogant and unconscionable tribesmen in control of power and money, who are equally lacking in character, defiant and shameless in their corrupt ways and practices, apologetic to none, are just a few kind words to describe Cameroon leaders in reference to the decision of the recent cancellation of the hosting rights of the coveted African Nations’ Cup tournament. We should not be ashamed to call the so-called leaders shameless because that’s what they are. The Cameroon nation would have been just one of the few African countries that have been opportune to host this tournament more than ones. But seven months before the tournament Cameroon boasts not of any completed infrastructure to merit the hosting of the tournament. Cameroon leaders did not see the importance and the privilege bestowed unto the country by CAF until when it withdrew its bid. They messed up like they have done with many other hosting privileges due to their corrupt and criminal minds and deeds. And for any Cameroonian who does not express outright outrage for the corrupt practices of some, it will be criminal as well.

Knowing fully well that President Paul Biya had recently assured CAF officials of Cameroon’s levels of preparedness following a meeting facilitated by Samuel Eto’o, who promised that come 2019, Cameroon must have addressed all of CAF’s immediate and major concerns. The assurances were still not enough to sway the minds of CAF’s officials. However, the biggest concern to CAF officials was the frightening levels of insecurity in the country primarily caused by President Paul Biya for his failure and inability to address the Anglophone crisis in the North West and South West Regions, Boko Haram in the North Regions and post-elections insecurities through out the country. The documented insecurities throughout the country and President Biya's inability to resolve these uncertainties was somehow more of a problem to CAF officials than the embezzlement of funds. It is a fact that CAF provided more than 3billion FCFA to the hosting nation. But after four years, all what Cameroon ought to have done are still yawning and yearning for help while there are frightening levels of embezzlement of funds noted .

It is true that while President Biya who regrettably won another seven years mandate much to the chagrin of most Cameroonians has hardly claimed ownership of any of Cameroon’s problems. If he did, he should have notified CAF much earlier that the job will not be completed in time for the tournament. He spared himself that embarrassment because he was desperate for CAF money and to cover up the massive looting that was taking place at FECAFOOT.

                        History of thievery at FECAFOOT 

Many in Cameroon undoubtedly believe that FECAFOOT is the most corrupt agency in Cameroon. Read this report published in 2006 detailing corruption of the agency then as it is today. Nothing, indeed, has changed about the agency.  https://www.postnewsline.com/2006/03/fecafoot_is_the.html Others say the Cameroon Customs are the most corrupt. While some have picked the Police Department as the leading corrupt agency. But there are others who believe sincerely that, Cameroonians are born corrupt. The spectacle of which agency in Cameroon is more corrupt than the other is not something Cameroonians should take lightly because it does not project a positive image to the rest of the world. These inter-agencies competition to determine which agency is the most corrupt one has held back progress of the country.

The construction of the stadiums to host the African Nations Cup (2019) is the latest annoying incidence of corrupt practice by FECAFOOT, which compelled CAF to withdraw the bid from Cameroon We  are aware that FECAFOOT is blessed with a pool of talented footballers who ply their trade outside of the country; however, many of them have unprecedentedly rejected to play for Cameroon because FECAFOOT officials’ demand that they bribe their way to the national team. How frightening! Kylian Mbappe, the prodigy who now plays for France was offered to Cameroon by his father, Wilfred Mbappe, but he was told by this same FECAFOOT officials to bribe his way into the team. We lost a prodigy because of these corrupt individuals who seek personal good rather than country good.

Let us look at this investigative report done by some very good reporters: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/oct/24/football-corruption-cameroon-nigeria-ivory-coast  

The Cameroon parliament appropriated $24m for a stadium renovation project. No work took place. Photograph: Joe Klamar/AFP/Getty Images

Three African countries have representatives on the FIFA Executive Committee. Here are some of the findings of the Forum for African Investigative Reporters' report into the state of football in those countries

CAMEROON

Some of the world's biggest companies like to be associated with Cameroon, who have played in more World Cups than any other African nation. Players such as Roger Milla and Samuel Eto'o are good for marketing. The sponsorship money appears to have done little good for football, though. Chief Bisong Etahoben and Franklin Sone Bayen report that:

■ The most powerful man in Cameroon football is Issa Hayatou, a FIFA executive member. Two of his brothers are ministers, and there has been a Hayatou in every Cameroonian government for 50 years. A reporter who tried to investigate Hayatou's wealth earlier this year is in hiding after being beaten and threatened.

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■ Mobile phone company MTN pumped in $600,000 of an $800,000 project to renovate several stadiums. The other $200,000 was to come from FECAFOOT, the Cameroonian FA, but instead, $146,000 ended up in the pockets of the then sports minister, Thierry Augustin Edzoa, so that he could "breathe easier", he said after the payment. The work never happened. The $600,000 is unaccounted for.

■ Parliament appropriated more than $24m for another stadium renovation project. No work took place, the country's two main stadiums are more dilapidated than ever and there is nothing to show for the money.

■ FECAFOOT office staff threatened to go on strike after being unpaid for 44 months. FIFA sent money for the wages to be paid: officials stumped up 16 months' back pay and pocketed the rest.

■ A FECAFOOT official took $16,000 expenses for an air ticket after saying his original ticket had been lost. He boarded the plane using the first ticket and kept the $16,000

In addition to the afore-mentioned reasons, Cameroon Football Federation has suffered from the wrath of FIFA for its interference in FECAFOOT elections in 2006 despite FIFA’S warning not to do so. In 2013 again, FIFA warned Cameroon to have a hands-off in the FECAFOOT elections to avoid any corrupt practice Click and read the rest of this report detailing more of Cameroon’s interference. https://choforche.wordpress.com/2013/07/15/bad-governance-and-corruption-in-the-cameroon-football-federation-fecafoot-leads-to-suspension-by-the-worlds-football-federation-fifa-chofor-che/

                            How Unprepared was Cameroon?

The officers running the African Cup of Nations had a cause to refuse Cameroon the hosting rights to the 2019 tournament. CAF saved Cameroon the embarrassment by not exposing her to her lack of preparedness. Nothing would have been ready in time for the athletes and world to converge in Cameroon. A country hosting the biggest African soccer tournament is yet to address the problem of lack of infrastructure.

The last African Women Cup of Nations that was organized in Cameroon was a disaster and it demonstrated how unprepared Cameroon was and still is in hosting any tournament of this size, scope and magnitude. The roads leading to and out of the stadia are narrow and cannot handle the volume of traffic expected during the tournaments. Cameroon officials must ensure that the roads are wide enough and have multiple entry ways and outlets, to ease traffic congestion and road rage.

Cameroon authorities must establish the American equivalence of AAA, an agency that inspects hotels and give their ratings. For example, they determine which hotel is one star, two stars, three stars, four stars and five stars. This gives the hotel owners the opportunity to continuous strive towards good standards to reward them with customer satisfaction. Conversely, the AAA ratings give consumers the opportunity to select hotels that meet their standards. Sadly, there’s no neutral and competent agency to conduct this service without the bias or expectation of receiving a kickback for an undeserved rating.

And, as if the above cited reasons are not apprehensive enough and gravely ignored, the issue of internal security is major cause of concern. For a country that’s about to host a major football tournament, the least of her concerns ought not to be security. But this is a huge concern not only for non-Cameroonians but for Cameroonians as well. In the South West and North West Regions of Cameroon, where the tournament should have equally been hosted, more than 500,000 people have been brutally killed by government soldiers. Kidnapping for ransom is on the rise and many have left their homes into neighboring Nigeria. Schools have been closed for more than two years and child birth have increased exponentially in these regions. With all these numerous problems which are not been solved, Cameroon still have the temerity to tell CAF that her house is in order. No, it is not! The Separatist fighters have scored a major victory by depriving Cameroon government a huge economic and financial reward after the tournament. In the Northern Region of Cameroon where the tournament shall be played also, Cameroon is still fighting Bok Haram. Furthermore, the country is still dealing with post-elections insecurities as the opposition parties still believe that President Biya stole victory from the opposition candidate. It is therefore alright for Cameroonians to side with CAF that the time for Cameroon to host the tournament despite its fragile preparations, is not now but in the future when all these fragilities must have been resolved.

                   How did Cameroon suffer an Economic Blow?

It is unquestionable that Cameroon businesses have suffered a major economic blow due to CAF’s decision to withdraw Cameroon’s right to host the tournament. The 2019 Cup of Nations is the first edition with twenty-four (24) nations, eight (8) more nations than the previous years. Meaning, more people were expected in an unprepared country than we’ve ever had. It is not shocking to hear from CAF officials that the country could not have been ready to host even a four nations tournament let alone an enlarged twenty-four nations tournament at the start of the competition. With Cameroon’s history of corruption Cameroonians knew all along that corrupt men were going to collapse the CAF project in Cameroon simply because of their dishonesty. Cameroon leaders are finding out how morally decayed they are and how they have exposed themselves to the rest of the world about how corrupt they are. But in Cameroon, where breaking they law can go unpunished, thievery is rampant. While we cannot undermine the significant amount of resources that the government has devoted thus far in the organization of the tournament, it however did not make much of a difference when the realities of the tournament failing were obvious.

In anticipation of the tournament, private individuals in nearby and hosting cities had diverted significant amount of their resources so they could get a return in their investments but will now suffer a great loss for their sacrifices. Individuals took loans from banks to build homes, restaurants and other accommodations for visitors. All that have failed, and somehow, they must pay these loans back to the banks.

                                            Conclusion

I am in a state of shock to read of the selfishness and the corrupt mentality that most Cameroonians portray even in things that will bring great utility to their people. I am even more shocked to learn that many of the individuals engaged in this thievery at FECAFOOT shall go Scott-free. The government is too slow at apprehending criminals engaged in activities of embezzlement for they are more reactive )inspect the project only after a whistle blower has citied irregularities) rather that proactive (inspect the project at every stage of the construction to minimize wrongdoings). To encourage Cameroonians to have the level of consciousness present in many emerging African democracies investigations and arrests must be done; and, judgement and imprisonment must be swift as well. The fact that Cameroon has appeared in Amnesty International twice or thrice as the world’s most corrupt country should encourage the leaders to treat this latest thievery as a matter of emergencyto prove to the world that much is being done in Cameroon today to combat corruption.