Promoters of Alliance for Peaceful Transition crusades refounding transition.

This was during a press conference which took place at the headquarters of the Cameroon Party for National Reconciliation, best known by its abbreviation as PCRN. 

The presser was attended by several political actors including the Vice President of the PCRN, Axel Ebe; the President of the Union of Peoples of Cameroon, UPC, Habiba Issa; President of the Liberators, Prof Bile Olivier; the President of the Alliance Patriotic Republicaine, APAR, Ndjamen Celestin; and the President of the Mouvement pour la Democratie et L’interdepedance, MDI, Djeukam Tchameni amongst others.

These political figures disclosed during the press conference that the ATP was neither a new association nor a merger of parties or associations. 

According to them, ATP is a framework for dialogue, consultation and above all pooling of political parties, Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, and personalities, who wish to work together for the refoundation of Cameroon

There are at least eight initial signatories of the manifesto of the refounding transition. This includes Honourable Cabral Libii of the PCRN party.

Zoom into reforming transition

According to promoters of the ATP, the political transition which they are resolutely committed to, will be a period of exception and “a historic halt” to map out a new way forward.

Promoters of the alliance disclosed to reporters that the aim of the refounding transition is to move from a hyper-centralised and corrupt neocolonial dictatorship to a sovereign and democratic state in which broad powers are vested in local authorities and which is at the service of justice and prosperity for the greatest number.  

They stressed that time has come to establish a transition in Cameroon and to organise a general assembly for the refoundation of the country not only to allow it to review all the problems it is facing, but to open a new historical perspective.

They explained in their manifesto that during their duration, the Cameroonian people will work to remodel institutions to foster better living and collective wellbeing.

Given the country’s advanced state of despair, they said, the political transition can only be seen as an "airlock that must necessarily and structurally lead to the refoundation of Cameroon".  

ATP further disclosed in their manifesto that the transition aims to put the country on a new institutional foundation. They also explained that the refoundation will based on the ideals of sovereignty, democracy, inclusiveness, patriotism, and pan-Africanism.

“This refounding transition will prepare Cameroon towards the status of a “normal and authentic” state. During the period of transition of refoundation, all the foundamental text shall be reviewed and a new social contract between the rulers and governed shall be established. The refounding transition will end with a referendum and general elections,” a section of the manifesto read. They have opted for a transition period of four years.

Call for mobilisation

ATP has encouraged political and civil society actors to join its broad mobilisation to change the balance of power. They have insisted that membership is open and inclusive. 

They also took the commitment to discuss with some leading opposition figures like the President of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement, MRC, Maurice Kamto, the Chairman of the Social Democratic Front, SDF, Honourable Joshoua Osih and eminent lawyer and international legal consultant, Akere Muna.

ATP have however stated that members must agree with the content of the manifesto by signing it and accepting its terms.

Preach unity, confident ahead of elections

Two of the signatories of the ATP manifesto seized the occasion to remind public opinion that their party is waxing strong despite talks of division.

According to the President of the UPC party Habiba Issa, they have been affected with the “divide and rule system” with some party supporters operating illegally. The Vice President of PCRN, Axel Ebe on his part, said the only recognised national president of the party is Cabral Libii.

ATP also revealed that they are poised ahead of the 2025 elections. They disclosed that they shall name a president fir the ATP who corresponds to certain criteria and they shall pledge their support. They also stressed that they are not a collaborator of the government and want to end the challenge the regime.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3151 of Thursday June 27, 2024