2025 presidentials:"Cameroon will continue to exist"!.

His assurance that Cameroon will not perish might have been inspired by an identical prediction by the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, during a press conference in Yaounde, during which he said: "Cameroon will not burn, the sky will not fall", following what he perceived as threats from the opposition.

The assurances by both politicians of the ruling party are based on popular predictions and projections of the "uncertainty" of the coming presidential election that could trigger violence, which has been common in many African countries where polls have been rigged.

In the case of Cameroon, the October election is a special case in that it is the first time in a continent where a 93-year-old and over four decades in power is being called upon to take a historic eighth term when even a third is considered a taboo in a democratic context.

Secondly, the country, under the same regime, is saddled with challenges of insecurity in the North West, South West and Far North Regions, added to falling standards in provision of electricity, water, health care and dilapidated road infrastructure.

Thirdly, there has been the hue and cry by international elections observers and credible opposition party leaders that the Electoral Code is crafted to guarantee victory for incumbent candidates and needs an urgent review.

Some of those factors which have sparked violence in other African countries, and all are in Cameroon, have compelled reputed peace crusader, Sir Ntumfor Barrister Nico Halle, to say during an interview to mark International Peace Day that: "Peace in Cameroon today is fragile, it is distorted, and it has been compromised".

As if in confirmation, President Paul Biya said at the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly that "we are beggars for peace”. 

"For Cameroon and most of our states, peace is the sine qua non for the survival of humanity and for sustainable development. Such peace remains dangerously under threat, notably from terrorism, conflicts, poverty and climate disruptions…and such persistent threats are of utmost concern to us all," he had added. 

For The Guardian Post, the quest for peace should be a concern for all patriotic and nationalistic Cameroonians. 

Even the MRC leader, Prof Maurice Kamto, often accused rightly or wrongly of instigating insurrection, has said: "We are deeply committed to peace. I would like us to surprise the world next October. Because everywhere people think Cameroon is going to burn in October or I say Cameroon is not going to burn. We are responsible people. I would therefore like us to surprise the world by making in Cameroon an alternation and a change through the ballot boxes and in peace”.

As Hon Cavaye said at the opening of the June session of parliament: "We must do everything, each in his/her own way to make the presidential election unfold in peace and serenity".

The Guardian Post is aware that this June session is the last before the presidential election, scheduled for October. As is the tradition, the proceedings will be mainly devoted to the fundamental mission of voting of bills and 'the control of government action', through oral questions to members of government”. 

But in his opening speech, the House Speaker devoted it mainly to the presidential election with calls for massive registration, facilitation of production of identity cards and Cameroonians turning out in mass to vote when the time comes.

It is however his patriotic and nationalistic responsibility and duty as well as those of other honourable members, to ensure that factors that make any election peaceful such as transparency, inclusion, fairness and freedom to ensure there is no rigging, are on the table.

Parliamentarians in their "own way" should review the Electoral Code to include youth aged 18 and 19 as in all democracies; results from voting booths signed by all representatives should be accepted in law; there should be a single ballot paper to reduce cost and expedite declaration of results which should be within three days after the close of voting.

Hon Cavaye can do that with a private member's bill to illustrate parliamentary independence and separation of power as well as his commitment to avoid rigging, which has endangered peace and propelled mayhem in many African authoritarian regimes pretending to be democracies.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3472 of Friday June 13, 2025