Corruption and extreme wealth. Evidence at country level

Márquez, Héctor Flores; Santibáñez, Ana Lilia Valderrama; Ángeles-Castro, Gerardo; Castillo, Omar Neme

doi:10.1080/23311886.2021.1910163

Cited by 1 publication

(3 citation statements)

References 42 publications

(50 reference statements)

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“…Scholars and practitioners across academic and professional disciplines concur on the ravaging effects of corruption on socio-economic, cultural and development (Al-Sadig, 2009; Bayley, 1966; Ionescu, 2014; Thach et al , 2017). They also agree on the fact that no state is immune to corruption (Flores Marquez et al , 2021). In other words, corruption exists in every part of the world, irrespective of whether it is a democratic or autocratic regime, federal or unitary state, kingdom or republic.…”

Section: Cameroon and The Corruption Conundrummentioning

confidence: 90%

“…Gauging from the figures of monies stolen by the senior political elite in whose hands these resources are entrusted, one can easily appreciate its impact on socio-economic, cultural and political development (Fombad, 2000; Kamga, 2020). To say the least, and as argued below, the huge and inconceivable theft of state resources has ushered few individuals to extreme wealth: extreme wealth that is amassed at the expense of both the state and the people (Flores Marquez et al , 2021). The result is the widening gap between the rich and the poor.…”

Section: Cameroon and The Corruption Conundrummentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among other things, the misappropriation of public funds deprives the nation and its people of the resources needed for socio-economic and political development; speaks of the moral ethos that guide public servants and everyone in charge of managing public property; and touches on openness and accountability as cornerstones of democratic governance. For Cameroon, and in addition to the above, the misappropriation of public funds accounts for the extreme wealth amassed by the top political elite in the country; the widening gap between the rich and the poor and part of the reason why the country’s battle with poverty reduction can never be won (Flores Marquez et al , 2021).…”

Section: Cameroon and The Corruption Conundrummentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cameroon’s special criminal court: an appraisal of its first decade of existence

Agbor

2021

JFC

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Purpose In total, 10 years since the establishment of the Special Criminal Court (SCC) in Cameroon to deal with a specific kind of corruption, one may wonder whether any achievements have been made so far in fulfilling its mandate and also assuaging the tense and toxic perception that the Court was established as an arsenal to witch-hunt political opponents. This study aims to look into the work done so far in this regard, and makes an assessment as to whether any accomplishments have been made in the first decade of its establishment. Design/methodology/approach This paper takes an evidence-based approach in seeking answers to what accomplishments, if any, have been made by the Court, explores the notion of corruption within Cameroon’s legislative and institutional landscape prior to the establishment of the Court and looks into the profiles of those who have been indicted by the SCC for that crime; the amounts that were misappropriated and for which they were convicted; the sentences imposed. It identifies some outstanding cases: where the amounts misappropriated exceeded a threshold and asks the question of what made it possible for these individuals to misappropriate such huge sums of money? Findings The inconsistencies and irrationality in the sentencing are a few findings made. Added to those is the timing of the establishment of the Court which, as most have perceived, is a political witch-hunting aimed at bringing credibility to a failed regime, as well as deal with a few political “irresponsibles” who were once the president’s buddies. Research limitations/implications This research unravels key insights into the functioning of the SCC. It advances the knowledge thereon and adds to the literature on corruption in Cameroon. Practical implications The establishment of the SCC is commendable. However, as it deals with but a particular kind of corruption, it might be necessary to rethink the need of additional institutional mechanisms that have specialized jurisdiction to deal with the different kinds of corruption in Cameroon. Social implications The paper highlights the entrenched nature of corruption in the social fabrics of Cameroonian society, and exposes the need for a much holistic approach in dealing with corruption, as the SCC offers but one institutional mechanism toward that direction. Originality/value This paper, given the issues discussed therein, and considering the dearth of literature on the topic, advances the literature on the SCC in particular and the problem of endemic corruption in Cameroon in general.

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Section: Cameroon and The Corruption Conundrummentioning

confidence: 90%