Cabral Libii tells TV5Monde: Only federalism will resolve Anglophone crisis.

The embattled National President of the Cameroonian Party for National Reconciliation, PCRN, has also urged Yaounde to organise another dialogue void of preconditions, to resolve the ongoing conflict in the two Regions.

Cabral Libii thundered the proposals in an interview over the weekend. He was speaking as guest on the French television channel, TV5Monde. 

The lawmaker said his political vision for the disturbing situation in the English-speaking Regions and other worrying national issues are best captured in his latest book, “Ce que j’ai vu,” loosely translated as “What I saw”. 

Quizzed on what he would propose to stabilise the Anglophone Regions, where the ongoing armed conflict has killed over 6,000, rendered at least one million as Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs and over 80,000 others as refugees, the politician proposed two solutions, with community decentralisation being key.

“…structural reforms are needed. We proposed this in the book, along with community decentralisation, and we remain convinced that this is a lasting solution for peace,” Cabral Libii stated. 

While pressing for reforms in the State, the outspoken politician added that: “We're in favour of federalism, because a country like Cameroon, which is a country of diversity, can't really be governed effectively if it's not based on the doctrine of federalism”. 

Another dialogue to address Anglophone crisis   

As a participant at the 2019 Major National Dialogue, MND, which was called to seek solutions to the ongoing conflict, Cabral Libii strongly held the opinion that another dialogue, without preconditions, is needed to further seek lasting solutions to the crisis in the two English-speaking Regions of the country. 

“…we continue to talk to each other. I attended the Major National Dialogue in 2019. Wars always end in peace agreements. If there is to be an agreement, we need to be more than just one person on the discussion table,” he suggested to the CPDM regime. 

Cabral Libii said the call for another dialogue is also a strong position held by the PCRN party, where he is National President.

“We propose, we at the PCRN, the need for another Major National Dialogue. It is hoped that the outcome of all this will lead to peace,” he disclosed. 

Dodges question on possible coalition with Kamto 

Speaking further in the interview on the upcoming presidential election in the country, the 2018 presidential candidate, literally dodged the question about the possibility of a coalition with the National President of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement, MRC, Prof Maurice Kamto, to challenge the natural candidate of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, CPDM party. 

Literally carried away by the French journalist, qualifying him as the ‘Macron of Cameroon’, Cabral Libii’s reply on the issue of opposition coalition was vague.

While conceding that “the coalition is a pressing expectation of the Cameroonian people”, Cabral Libii instead recalled that he had in 2018, proposed a "primary within the opposition" to select a unique candidate in the situation of a coalition. 

“...I even proposed the drawing of lots. Because I remain convinced, and I am not the only one, that it is always better to come together, to pool our strengths, and thereby increase our chances of victory," Cabral Libii said. 

He further disclosed that he had also proposed to other opposition candidates for them to rally behind a project and agree on an offer that can be presented to Cameroonians. 

“If we cannot settle on that, we must at least be able to work on a common action plan,” he said. 

Speaking further on the issue of coalition, Cabral Libii clarified that the “multiplicity of candidacies has never really provoked or led to suffrage” from the first multiparty elections in 1992.

“…we always realised that the first three, that is the winner, the second and the third, always won more than ninety-five percent of the votes. So, the coalition we're waiting for really concerns two, three or even four political leaders,” he stated. 

Drums vote monitoring, coalition of action 

Cabral Libii disclosed that the crucial issue as far as coalition is concerned is that of “vote monitoring”, which he said will reduce outcry “about electoral fraud in Cameroon”.

He faulted the Biya regime for failing to give positive feedback to opposition politicians on reforms on the country’s controversial Electoral Code. 

“In 2023, together with seven political parties, we proposed an Electoral Code, which the government has so far refused to implement,” he revealed. 

While nurturing the firm and profound hope that his voice will be heard by other opposition leaders, Cabral Libii said if the opposition is unable to “unite around a candidacy, we must at least have a coalition of action”. 

Cameroonians waking from slumber 

Cabral Libii sounded upbeat that more and more Cameroonians are increasingly becoming more politically conscious in terms of voter registration. 

“…the people are waking up from their slumber and becoming aware once again of the power that lies in the ballot box. It's now up to them to vote massively and then, if need be, to get involved in monitoring their votes, to prevent fraud, so that only the will of the people prevails,” he stated. 

Cabral Libii said: “…in Cameroon, we have about 15 million people of voting age, who have never reached the eight million mark, a milestone that has just been passed in August 2024. We have six months left to register to vote in 2025. So, we could very well get closer to 11 million, at least that's our wish”. 

Dream to become president still alive 

The youthful PCRN leader reportedly being dreaded by the ruling CPDM, was firm that his dream of becoming Head of State in Cameroon remains unshaken. 

“I still dream of being elected President of the Republic of Cameroon,” Cabral Libii declared. 

Amidst the leadership tussle within his party, Cabral Libii added that: “I certainly intend to run. Now, I am the president of a party that is governed by rules, by internal regulations and by the modalities for choosing and nominating candidates. Unless there is one or more contenders within my political party, there is no doubt about my candidacy”. 

Cabral Libii said in 2025, he is going to ask Cameroonians to put their trust in him again.

This, he added, is because he is the bearer of the vision of the society he has carefully detailed in his book titled: ‘Ce que Jai vu, Manifeste de la rupture et du progress’. 

Cabral Libii said what he has captured in his book is what he is “going to do with Cameroon if my compatriots place their confidence in me”. 

Laments state of freedom of expression 

Quizzed on his reaction to the state of freedom of expression in the country, especially with the arrest and detention of influencer, Ramon Cotta, and the trial on the murder case of journalist, Martinez Zogo, the politician said Cameroon has ratified many international conventions on human rights, but which are not being practiced in the country. 

“Unfortunately, our democracy suffers from what we call ‘La boudelisation’ of the State. Perhaps it's due to the excessive longevity of a government that has been in power for over 40 years,” he stated. 

He said the longevity of the Head of State, who came to power when he was barely two years old, accounts for such non-respect of human rights issues. 

“So, there are people who behave as if everything is acceptable. The political party I lead has just come out of a long court case, simply because we have been under unbelievable persecution since last December, when our Ordinary Congress was banned. We hope it will stop,” he said.

Cabral Libii said Cameroon cannot continue to be in the “hands of a few individuals who do anything they want. They are sabotaging state institutions,” he bemoaned. 

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3239 of Tuesday September 24, 2024