The Social Democratic Front (SDF) party says it intends to celebrate its 34th anniversary on May 26 with an ecumenical service and a Thanksgiving Mass to seek God’s guidance and blessing.
The anniversary celebration comes amid the party’s strive to galvanise grassroots supporters ahead of next year’s presidential elections.
The SDF’s National Chairman, Joshua Osih, has been on a nationwide tour to sensitise and assess the needs of Cameroonians.
But to build strong momentum and take over power in this nation, the party believes it needs God’s intervention.
“Given the current socio-political context of our country, it is important for us to come together in prayer for peace and thanksgiving on Sunday, May 26, 2024, to celebrate the 34th anniversary of our party,” said Njong Donatus Fonyuy, Secretary General of the party, in a circular.
He called on all the regional chairpersons of the party to galvanise militants for a special prayer session to thank God for the party’s 34 years of existence and to seek God’s guidance and blessings.
“This call for prayers is in addition to all the local manifestations that have been planned by our district chairpersons for that day,” he said.
This will be the first-anniversary celebration since the SDF’s founding father, Ni John Fru Ndi, died in June 2023.
In his absence, the party is being led by Hon. Joshua Osih, who won the chairmanship position in elections last October.
The SDF is striving to regain control of its lost territories, especially in its birthplace, the North West Region, where it controls just one out of over 30 municipal councils.
Njong Donatus said militants should lift their voices in unity, asking for justice, peace, and prosperity to prevail in Cameroon, and for wisdom for its leaders as they celebrate their 34th anniversary.
“We believe that prayer has the power to bring about change and unite us for a common purpose. Let us set aside our differences and come together in faith and hope,” he said.
“As we stand together in prayer for the betterment of our country, let us also pray for the peaceful repose of the soul of our founding and pioneer National Chairman of Blessed Memory, Ni John Fru Ndi,” he added.
The SDF was launched on May 26, 1990, in Bamenda, at a time when Cameroon was still under a one-party system.
The party contested the 1992 elections, the first after the reintroduction of multipartism, and claims to have won the vote, but it was rigged in favour of President Paul Biya, who has ruled Cameroon since 1982.
