Cameroon reached the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) initiative: expectations of civil servants and their predicaments

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to focus on the expectations and predicaments of Cameroonian civil servants two years after the country reached its completion point of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. Design/methodology/approach – In-depth interviews were conducted with some civil servants in Yaoundé, the provincial capital of the Centre Region and the capital of Cameroon, and Bamenda, the capital town of the North West Region. Newspaper articles were also an important source of data for this paper. Findings – Cameroonians were initially exhorted to understand the government's adoption of the stringent measures prescribed by the Breton Wood Institutions in order to revamp the ailing economy. The austerity measures adopted by the Cameroon government led to immense hardship for civil servants and Cameroonians in general. Cameroonians initially had high hopes for the HIPC programmes, but they were rather seeing their living and working conditions deteriorating further. This led to bribery and corruption and other social vices perpetuated by all categories of civil servants. Because of the deteriorating living conditions, the economy has been marred by continuous strikes, which have led to the massacre of many Cameroonians. Although the future seems to be bright in the long run, it is bleak within the next few years given the enormous challenges facing the country. Practical implications – This is a useful source of information to Cameroonian diasporas who are not abreast with the happenings in Cameroon. Originality/value – This paper exposes the hypocrisy of the Cameroon government and the incessant strikes that have bedevilled the country. This paper will be of interest to Cameroonians, especially those in diaspora who are attempting to fight Paul Biya's corrupt regime.Cameroon, Civil Service, Corruption, Strikes