By Franck Essi

There are words we often utter but betray every day. In Cameroon, justice is one of those sacred values ​​that have become decorative, brandished in speeches but trampled on in practice. Yet, if we are to save this country from the political, economic, social, and moral decline into which it is sinking, we must dare to say things clearly: it is justice, and justice alone, that can pull us out of the abyss.

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What is justice?

Justice is not just a matter of judges and courts. It is a fundamental principle of social organization, a moral and political compass that guarantees everyone what is due them—no more, no less. It is based on fairness, truth, accountability, and reparation. It is embodied in equitable access to rights, equality before the law, recognition of human dignity, and punishment for abuses, wherever they originate.

In a truly just state, the weakest are not abandoned, the powerful are not untouchable, institutions are not exploited, and no one is above the law.

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Injustice is the fuel of our crises

We must have the courage to recognize it: most of the crises Cameroon is experiencing are born of a profound and persistent injustice.

– The Anglophone crisis? It is first and foremost the story of political, cultural, economic, and symbolic marginalization, long denied and never redressed.

– Systemic corruption? It is not just a « dysfunction »: it is a daily violence inflicted on those who have no networks, no connections, nor wealth, and who find themselves crushed by arbitrary procedures.

– Widespread poverty in a country that is nevertheless wealthy? It’s the result of an unequal distribution of public resources, monopolized by a privileged minority.

– The anger of young people? It stems from the feeling of having been betrayed: excluded from decision-making, trapped in unemployment, treated like children by a system that disrespects them.

– Distrust of institutions? It’s the direct consequence of a judicial system used as a political instrument, not as an impartial guardian of the law.

As long as we continue to treat these problems as « security, » « governance, » or « economic performance » crises, without naming the injustice that fuels them, we will continue to cobble together temporary solutions without ever addressing the root causes.

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Justice, the foundation of a rebuilt Cameroon

Rebuilding Cameroon requires placing justice back at the center of the social contract, not as a moral option, but as the primary condition for peace, prosperity, and the legitimacy of the state. This implies:

✓ An independent, accessible, and fair justice system that protects the weak as much as it controls the powerful;

✓ Symbolic and concrete redress for historical injustices, particularly against marginalized regions and communities;

✓ A fair tax system, where everyone contributes according to their abilities, and where the richest can no longer escape taxes while the poorest are overwhelmed by them;

✓ Recognition of merit rather than belonging in public appointments, competitive examinations, public procurement, and support programs;

✓ A culture of accountability, where misconduct is punished without distinction of origin, position, or social status. —

A New Motto, a New Direction

Cameroon’s current motto—Peace—Work—Homeland—has the merit of existing, but in my opinion, it is no longer sufficient to express the aspirations of the people in 2025. For there can be no peace without justice, no dignified work in arbitrary situations, and no true homeland when injustice fractures the national community.

This is why justice should become a key word in the motto of the new Cameroon to be built. A motto like Justice—Dignity—Solidarity or Justice—Freedom—Prosperity would be more than a symbol: it would mark a turning point in our vision of the State and our collective priorities.

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My conviction: choosing justice is choosing life.

We don’t need a miracle to rebuild Cameroon. We need justice. A visible, lived justice, anchored in our laws, our institutions, our behavior. A justice that repairs, unifies, and uplifts. A justice system that creates trust and makes hope possible.

As long as injustice reigns, no election, no speech, no budget, no technical reform will be able to save this country. But if justice returns to the center, then everything becomes possible.

Franck Essi

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