Post-election tension: Biya, send Dion Ngute on nationwide appeasement mission.

Cameroon, proudly hailed as Africa’s ‘miniature,’ now stands at crossroads, following the election in which incumbent President Biya was declared winner by the country’s Constitutional Council.

Never has any post-election violence in Cameroon, led to the loss of nearly 50 persons and properties destroyed in almost all of the country’s major towns and cities.

For one thing, observers are unanimous that the time to heal the country from the injuries of the October 12 post-election is now.  

With the country’s unity under siege, and the cracks created by the October 12 post-election not just threatening its identity but also obstructing its path to development, peace, security, and global stature, observers are agreeing that the need for a nationwide appeasement is urgent.

Even though several personalities are being mooted as having the intellectual and cognitive wherewithal to be dispatched by the President to lead such an appeasement mission, one man has stood out. 

He is no other than the globally-hailed pacifier; Prime Minister, Head of Government, Dr Chief Joseph Dion Ngute. 

In office as Prime Minister for nearly seven years, PM Dion Ngute has distinguished himself by raising the bar of good governance in the country.

A focused personality who is loyal to his principal of serving with dignity, integrity and utmost character, Dion Ngute is a man of few words and a pacifier. 

Having previously led similar missions to the crisis-hit North West and South West Regions amidst the ongoing Anglophone crisis, political watchers say PM Dion Ngute boasts of a wealth of experience in handling complex State assignments.

Biya signals need for dialogue

Though President Biya, during his inaugural speech last Thursday November 6, didn’t overtly announce a national dialogue to heal the land from its numerous challenges, he tacitly expressed the need for citizens to bury the hatchets and work for peace.

In his address, Biya stated that: “As I take up my duties, I fully fathom the gravity of the situation our country is experiencing. I am aware of the numerous and severe challenges we face. I understand the depth of frustrations and the scale of expectations. I know how great the responsibilities of the President of the Republic will be”.

Biya said he was renewing the commitment he had already made in the past, under similar circumstances; namely to remain faithful to the ideals that have guided him since his accession to the highest office.

“That of devoting myself entirely to the sacred mission that the Almighty God and the sovereign people of Cameroon have entrusted to me: to work tirelessly for the advent of a united, stable and prosperous Cameroon,” Biya stated.

He continued that: “I know, just as you know, that this is a daunting but exacting task when one has the love and interests of the people at heart. This task… is not insurmountable, especially when one has the people’s unflinching support. You show me this support at each election. You did so once again, clearly and unequivocally, during the 12 October election”.

“Today, as I begin a new term of office, by the will of God and of the sovereign people of Cameroon, I would like to reach out to each and every one of you. Together, we must lay the foundations for an even more promising future for our beloved and beautiful country, especially for our youth. Even though we have accomplished a great deal, we still have so much to achieve, together, for ourselves, but also for future generations,” he added.

Biya then stated that: “I am therefore appealing for a united front. Join me so that, together, in peace and harmony, we can meet the daunting challenges facing our country”.

“I urge you all to take part in this worthy cause. Electioneering for the post of president is past and gone. It is now time to get together. This country is our shared heritage. It is our most precious asset. Rather than destroying it, we have to build, strengthen and modernize it. We should end the hate speech flooding the public space, especially social media,” he continued.

Urgency of appeasement mission

Observers are unanimous the expected PM Dion Ngute-led appeasement mission, may not be the magic wand solution to the country’s numerous challenges and hiccups. They however agree that it remains crucial to Cameroon’s peace, unity and development.

Such a mission, commentators say, will offer the current Star Building tenant first hand opportunity to listen and interact with citizens, take note of their grievances and relay them to President Biya for solutions.

Analysts say they are developing growing concerns about Yaounde’s pervasive indifference to the nation’s existential challenges. 

They are unanimous that the growing post-election crisis demands urgent attention and needs to be nibbed in the bud before the consequences become irreversible.

Today, Cameroon is deeply divided along tribal, and regional lines, with the affiliations often taking precedence over national interests and identity. 

The trend, observers say, is dangerous and undermines Cameroon’s potential for progress, peace and national unity. 

Observers have cited alleged election rigging, marginalisation, discrimination, corruption, insecurity, and economic instability as all symptoms of a lack of national unity and collective will.

They say dispatching PM Dion Ngute on a national unity and appeasement mission, would help the nation achieve the deliberate and sustained efforts needed to transform Cameroon’s diversity into an advantage. 

The just ended presidential election in which Biya was proclaimed winner by the Constitutional Council, brought to the fore, noticeable divisive tendencies, rhetorics, hate speech, and ethnic profiling which remains dangerous to the country’s growth and unity.

Observers say such actions have been deepening societal fractures and raising serious concerns about the nation’s future.

The absence of unity among Cameroonians, they say, has often led to conflicting efforts and a lack of cohesion on critical national issues, significantly impeding the country’s progress and development. 

Building a sense of shared purpose and fostering national unity, watchers of the polity say, are essential to unlocking Cameroon’s full potential and ensuring sustainable advancement.

Observers say with over 250 ethnic groups and a complex political landscape, Cameroon needs a strong foundation of national unity and cohesion to overcome its challenges and achieve its full potential as envisioned by its founding fathers.

Why PM Dion is the man for the job

PM Dion Ngute’s unquestionable popularity across Cameroon, political watchers affirm, has been demonstrated severally, especially during his field visits to parts of the country. 

Everywhere the PM goes, he is always accorded a hero and kingship welcome. When he visited Bamenda years ago on a peace mission, residents of the restive city emptied into the streets to welcome him. 

The joy was total as market women emptied their business joints to have a glimpse of the visiting PM.

It has been same scenario during his visits to the South West his Region of origin. 

Beyond the two English-speaking Regions, PM Dion Ngute has pulled mammoth crowds each time he embarks on working visits to the eight other Regions of the country.

To say the least, whether you are a critic, supporter or neutral person, one thing one can’t take away from PM Dion Ngute, analysts say, is his unwavering values, character, competence and integrity. Many of his long-time friends and close associates attest to this. 

That, they say, tells a lot about the greatness of the man, in an era where people’s characters and personalities, especially that of politicians, flutter like leaves in the wind.

It goes without saying that PM Dion Ngute is renowned for his excellence, leadership qualities, integrity, steadfastness, loyalty and dedication to service for the country.

Little wonder he has been described by many as a dependable collaborator of President Biya, who has also acknowledged on several occasions his exemplary leadership values.

Admirers of PM Dion Ngute see him as an excellent leader with a big heart and compassion for the people. His down-to-earth approach to public governance has made him to be endeared by even his arch adversaries. 

These, qualities, many are saying, make him the perfect peace ambassador Biya, without any waste of time, should use in these difficult times to heal the nation.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3622 of Tuesday November 11, 2025