As Cameroon prepares for the October 12, 2025 presidential election, a delegation of traditional rulers from the West Region visited the Unity Palace on August 12 to pledge their support to incumbent President Paul Biya.
The delegation was received by Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, President of the strategic committee tasked with managing Biya’s campaign.
Absence of the King of Bamendjou Raises Questions
However, the show of unity was incomplete. His Majesty Sokoudjou Jean-Rameau, the King of Bamendjou — a prominent and influential figure in the region — was conspicuously absent.
His absence has sparked speculation and fueled talk of growing dissent among traditional leaders. While most West Region chiefs publicly endorsed Biya’s candidacy, the King of Bamendjou’s decision to decline the invitation to Etoudi Palace is being widely interpreted as a significant political statement.
Silent Protest Linked to Opposition Call for Unity
No official reason has been given for the King’s absence. However, it follows a powerful statement from the Dean of Traditional Chiefs of Cameroon just days earlier, urging the opposition to unite and strategically challenge Paul Biya in the 2025 polls.
For many political observers, the King’s no-show amounts to a silent but potent form of protest against the current political order.
Nationwide Wave of Endorsements for Biya
Traditional rulers across Cameroon have been lining up to declare their support for President Biya, 92, who is seeking an eighth term in office.
Earlier this year, the national association of traditional rulers pledged their backing for Biya, followed by endorsements from chiefs in the Muslim-majority northern regions. In July, traditional leaders from the Sawa ethnic groups of the South, Littoral, and South West regions also threw their weight behind him, urging the veteran leader to remain in power despite already serving for 42 years.
Biya’s Unbroken Winning Streak Amid Controversy
Since 1992, Paul Biya has won every presidential election he has contested — victories often marred by allegations of rigging, fraud, and vote buying by his ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM).
In a circular to party militants in late July, Biya stated that the CPDM’s goal was to secure a decisive victory in October’s polls.
Critics Question the Legitimacy of the Vote
Many critics and observers — including Archbishop of Douala His Grace Samuel Kleda — argue that the election outcome is already decided.
Calling the upcoming vote “a waste of the country’s resources,” the outspoken Archbishop suggested that no change will occur as long as Paul Biya remains in the race.
