2025 presidentials: Beware of SDF's rejuvenation!.

By evoking the fundamental values of democracy, the head of state seems to want to refocus freedoms especially with the presidential election which is being predicted to mar or make Cameroon. The Guardian Post doffs its hat before him for that. But is that powerful voice of liberty being translated into action with equity in the national territory?

"We set the streets ablaze. It's legal!". That's a declaration from an anonymous SDF official trending on the social media with the sound bite producing arresting headlines such as: "SDF prend la rue après l'interdiction d'un meeting à Mora" and “Cameroon – Mora en ébullition: Le SDF défie".

The SDF had planned to hold a rally at the Mora Municipal Stadium after reportedly making a declaration at the Sub-divisional Office as required by law but at the last minute it was proscribed with the often ready-made warped excuse that it would endanger public peace and order.

Mora Subdivision in Mayo-Sava Division of the Far North Region, close to the border with Nigeria is a strategic CPDM-run council in the most undeveloped region of the country and opposition seems to be boiling.

That state of misery is what the opposition traditionally puts on the radar to win followers through rallies. But rather than the SDF giving in to frustration caused by the ban of their rally, the party responded with a spontaneous and unexpected show of "power" which as their adage says "come from the people".

According to media reports, the demonstrators blocked streets with their teeming, chanting "the streets, a new space for political legitimacy deprived of its rallying point". 

“It's a new political stage,” they said. Their choice for the street arena symbolizes a strategic shift, bypassing institutional obstacles to reach out to the people and embedding its struggle within republican terrain.

Kakdeu Louis-Marie, Spokesperson for the SDF at the rally, reportedly said they have reached full maturity: "At 35, the child has grown up".

It is parallel borrowed from the South African ANC which persevered despite adversity, learned from defeats, and continued to believe in change.

Their occupation of public space, disturbed public order, a situation that would have been avoided if they were allowed to hold their rally at a stadium with conditions that those who informed the Divisional Officer shall face the sword of justice if the event disturbed public order and peace.

That is what is required by law, not just to use a blanket excuse of banning opposition rallies without credible reasons. Such proscriptions, which are common even when some perceived anti-government press conferences are banned, expose the limitations of a system that instrumentalizes the administration to stifle dissent.

The standoff between popular legitimacy and administrative authority highlights the growing gap between institutions and young, educated, unemployed youth demanding freedom of choice in political debates and elections.

Yesterday, it was the SDF, tomorrow it may be Kamto's MRC, Cabral Libii's PCRN party, Kwemo’s UMS or that of dozens of opposition personalities who have announced their intention to challenge the ruling CPDM party at the October polls.

It might not just be the high stakes of a pivotal presidential election. It shall be a test of democratic resilience in the face of a power that is exhausted.

President Paul Biya, guardian of the constitution, is not alien to the stakes. That should explain why in one his social media outings, he writes that: "Democracy is also the acceptance and respect of others' ideas."

If the ideas of the others, be them in the ruling party or opposition are stifled, the streets and social media could thrive even with hate speech which escalate and radicalize Cameroonian youth eager for change in a country where 60% of the population is under 25 and governed by a geriatric generation.

People should have the freedom to "enrich the political debate" as President Biya has been quoted authorising. 

Overzealous administrators should not inadvertently encourage  the "legitimacy of street protests" by banning political parties or civil society organisations from holding their rallies in public spaces such as stadiums.  

The SDF experience in "setting streets ablaze in Mora" should be a case of "before warned is before armed" and that arming is liberties of assemblies before, during and after the presidential elections and only those who are violent should face justice. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3464 of Wednesday June 04, 2025