By Mbuh Stella
As the Social Democratic Front, SDF, party marked its 35th anniversary on May 26, 2025, militants and leadership gathered at the grave of its late founding members, among them Ni John Fru Ndi, Prof. Siga Asanga, and Dr. Azefor to pay tribute and reflect on the party’s roots.
Ni John Fru Ndi‘s son, Ben Fru Ndi, stood before the party hierarchy and supporters and read excerpts from his father’s personal diary, written in the heat of a tense political transition.
The first entry, penned on March 16, 1990, just weeks before the official launch of the SDF, revealed Fru Ndi’s inner turmoil and unwavering commitment.
“D-Day. Man no run. Deposited documents on the registration of SDF with the SDO by 9 a.m. I have been very disturbed about the gossips in town and criticisms… If my blood has to water the tree of liberty, then, Lord, here I am… I am sure Cameroonians will take this challenge and talk through a party.”
The quote was met with solemn nods from those present, many of whom were visibly moved by the rawness of Fru Ndi’s sacrifice and foresight.
The second diary entry was dated May 26, 1990, the very day the party was launched in Bamenda despite state resistance. Portions read
“Finally, the D-Day came… despite the blackmail… despite the heavy artillery… despite the troops… the population turned up in their numbers… we should estimate the crowd to about 100,000 people.”
According to Ben, “the selected quotes from a dairy packed events documented by Ni John Feu Ndi, served as a reminder of the courage and conviction that birthed Cameroon’s strongest opposition party and the need for result oriented committement”.
May 26, 1990, was marked by state repression and bloodshed—six people died at Liberty Square, now City Chemist Bamenda, yet it sowed the seeds of a political revolution that forced multiparty democracy onto Cameroon’s political landscape.
Earlier on the anniversary day, the SDF leadership laid wreaths at the graves of the party’s founding members, many of whom, like Fru Ndi, have passed on.
“I thought I was alone, you coming here to visit this grave renews our commitment to the values the founding members stood for,” said Cicilia Azefor, family member to Dr. Azefor.
“I now farm around the grave so that grass doesn’t cover it. I am happy the spirit of the 1990s still lives. It will be great joy to see Cameroonians embrace the opposition so that we can finally see light at the end of the tunnel” Said Fri Celine Asanga, Family relation to Prof. Siga Asanga.
To SDF militants like this woman, now 65 years old, who have faced local threats from those taking advantage of the armed conflict, said: “We thought there was no hope since Ni John Fru Ndi died. Seeing the party’s leadership means we have to renew our support because power is to the people”
The 26 May 2025 commemoration served as both a tribute and a call to the current leadership to remain resolute in the party’s founding ideals of social justice, participatory democracy, and fearless opposition.
