By Tata Mbunwe
Prominent civil society advocate and human rights defender, Barrister Agbor Balla, has called on the 11 opposition candidates challenging President Paul Biya at the upcoming election to unite under a single coalition candidate before August 11, 2025.
In a statement dated August 9, Balla, a supporter of UNIVERS party candidate Akere Muna, stated the urgency of a coalition as Elections Cameroon prepares to receive colors and emblems for ballot paper printing on August 11.
He urged opposition leaders who have been slow to join ongoing coalition talks to act fast.
“Cameroonians were encouraged by the recent meeting of some opposition leaders. We hope that today’s meeting will midwife a consensual candidate. Those who were absent must join the fray – we need everyone on board to build a broader, stronger coalition,” he stated.
The deadline is critical, as ELECAM requires all presidential candidates to confirm their chosen emblems, colors, and titles by 5:00 pm on Monday, August 11.
Balla warned of the consequences of a delayed coalition: “By Monday at 5:00 pm latest, all presidential candidates are required to confirm the emblem, color, and title chosen for their ballot papers. Once this is done, the government will print them even if a candidate later withdraws.”
He explained that withdrawn candidates’ names would still appear on ballots, potentially splitting opposition votes and weakening the coalition’s chosen candidate.
He also noted that candidates who withdraw after their ballot papers are printed would forfeit their 30 million CFA francs caution which presidential candidates are required to pay while summiting their candidacy.
“This is an urgent appeal to all candidates: join the process of selecting a single candidate before Monday at 5:00 pm latest. The time to act is now,” he urged.
The call comes amid ongoing efforts to consolidate opposition forces, with recent meetings showing promise but lacking full participation.
After popular opposition figure Maurice Kamto was disqualified from the presidential race, other prominent opposition leaders like Joshua Osih, Cabral Libii and Bello Bouba Maigari have been reluctant to join ongoing coalition talks.
Many political observers, including the National Youth President of the NUDP party, Paul Mbafor think the opposition can only defeat long-serving President Biya if they unite.
