By a correspondent
National Democratic Institute (NDI) senior Associate and Regional Director for Africa, Dr Christopher Fomunyoh has sent a strong message to opposition leaders in Cameroon and the country at large, in line with the upcoming presidential election in October this year.
In a recent media intervention, the Cameroonian born and US-based Democrat urges Cameroonians to remain alert for a change in history this year. According to him, Cameroonians must understand that election is not only on election day, but that the entire process is time-driven, as it starts with registration, planning, campaigning, voting and monitoring the conduct of the polls as well as defending the votes at elections disputes at the constitutional court.
Also, the international acclaimed good Governance Advocate and expert in election management, on the issue of an opposition coalition, says a united opposition is what the Cameroonian masses want, emphasising that “the power the people hold is more than the power of the people in power”, therefore the opposition in Cameroon must heed to the call of the people.
With regards to the resignation of Issa Tchiroma Bakary (erstwhile Minister of Employment and Vocational Training) and national chairman of the Cameroon National Salvation Front CNSF party who has declared his candidature, alongside Bello Bouba Maigari, Minister of Tourism and Leisure and national chairman of the National Union for Democracy and Progress NUDP, Dr Fomunyoh remarked that they should be careful not to put their political life in jeopardy by playing games trying to woo electorates, so that when voted they would go back to the CPDM. He categorically says, “everyone will be called upon to give an account of his or her stewardship in the Cameroon struggle”.
On a high note, the Democrat promised to be part of a positive debate to contribute to a credible electoral process in Cameroon.
With barely three months for Cameroonians to determine who their next tenant at the Unity palace will be, much is desired for a smooth transition in Cameroon. In line with that, concerned citizens of Cameroon and the international community are putting an eye on the coming polls. Cameroon’s current President, Paul Biya, aged 92 is one of the longest serving heads of state in the world, with over four decades in power. He announced in a social media message on Friday, July 11, that he will be seeking re-election come October 12, as candidate of his party, the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, CPDM party.
Dr Chris Fomunyoh was fronted by the press in Cameroon around 2004 as the American-backed candidate to succeed Paul Biya. Events within that framework did not favor him however. Nonetheless, as a concerned Cameroonian, coupled with his engagement on global issues in democratic practices, he envisioned a failed democracy in 2008 when the country’s constitution was amended from five years presidential mandate renewable once, to seven years for perpetuity. Responding to many media houses at the time, Dr Chris Fomunyoh remarked prior to the constitutional amendment that changing the country’s constitution to maintain Biya in power is not undemocratic but dangerous for the country. As a soothsayer, he is often described as the man who saw the Cameroon of today, in his book titled ‘The Cameroon of tomorrow’.
Dr Fomunyoh who is noted for his steadfastness and dedication to democracy, admits that he believes in peaceful transition of power.