Music as a force to tackle corruption

Shockingly, 79% of Cameroonians have paid a bribe in the past year, which is more than in any other country in the world, according to Transparency International.

However, the BBC reports that in Douala there are signs of a new movement rising to tackle corruption. The city’s musicians are creating ‘revolutionary’ music with lyrics such as “corruption is killing us” and “where is our money” as a way of challenging the status quo.

Although journalists can be jailed for up to a year for libel offences, it seems that famous Cameroonian musicians such as Longue Longue and Lapiro de Mbanga have been granted a degree of immunity to speak their minds.

A new Anti-Corruption Commission was created in March, headed by President Biya, but this has been criticised by the local press and some opposition parties for its reluctance to recover stolen money.

Ruth Timson
Press Officer and Secretary