O ur editorial team conducted an investigation into the strike notice filed by the workers' union of the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignation (CDC), which is visibly accompanied by a targeted communication campaign against its General Administrator-Director (GAD). We present our analysis of this burning issue, which smells of a settling of scores.

Since the inauguration of Mr. Marius Issa Nkori in February 2024 as General Administrator-Director (GAD) of the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC), the institution has undergone significant transformations aimed at restoring its financial health and restructuring its organization. However, according to a source close to the GAD, a fringe of the staff, despite its crucial role in the co-responsibility for the CDC's current structural deficit, continues to row against any reform, preferring the deadly status quo of a drifting CDC to the profound re-establishment desired by the GAD, which is in line with the High Instructions received from his supervisory authority.

Recalling that the CDC's GAD inherited a failed governance, marked by dishonest practices and serious ethical breaches that had notably led to legal proceedings against two former General Directors for embezzlement, a morbid legacy that heavily weighed on the institution's financial viability. It is in this context that Mr. Nkori reportedly undertook a series of ambitious structural reforms: reorganization of personnel, commissioning of the Magnolia complex, resumption of headquarters construction using own funds, and obtaining direct access to CEMAC's Payment Systems and Means (SMP).

Furthermore, according to some internal staff indiscretions, several major internal frauds have been identified and rigorously sanctioned under his governance. Thus, three serious cases were revealed: a cashier and former union member embezzled about 13 million CFA Francs, a former HR employee defrauded nearly 10 million on the payroll, and a staff representative falsified documents to unduly obtain a 13 million credit while generating 5 million in unpaid debts. These actions tend to support the theory that certain disruptive elements within the staff itself are largely contributing to the current financial imbalance. According to a consistent source, dismissals justified by serious misconduct should be perceived as necessary steps toward restoring sound and transparent governance. Far from seeing it that way, some employees are convinced that they could obtain the dismissal of Mr. Nkori by filing an unlimited strike notice fueled by various demands which, according to our source, obscure the reality of the facts and could further compromise the CDC's return to financial balance.

As for the union members, they denounce "approximate management," massive unjustified recruitments, the awarding of illegal benefits to members of the General Directorate, and a deleterious social climate, even as some of them refuse the measures taken to clean up the structure and demand benefits that the GAD deems financially unviable, such as the distribution of bonuses or salary increases not aligned with the refocusing policy imposed by the High Authorities. Regarding the withdrawal of the National Housing Fund (FNH) as a statutory resource and the forced exit of certain land assets ordered by the Ministry of Housing, these actions are wrongly attributed to the GAD since these decisions were taken via ministerial or governmental decree.

Regarding the administrative supervisory authority, a member of the Cabinet of the Minister of State indicated to us that the High Authorities want the CDC to commit to a path of rigor, transparency, and modernization. Also, according to our source, the leadership of Mr. Nkori must leave no room for laxity or complacency; thus, the CDC's GAD fully intends to continue the fight against fraud and poor management to guarantee the institution's long-term viability. The time has therefore come for employees to move beyond their internal disputes and rally around this salvific dynamic.