It is now an open secret that traditional rulers in Cameroon are militants of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM). Their actions and pronouncements in recent times affirm this conclusion as Cameroonians prepare for elections this year.
The neutrality of traditional rulers who play a vital role of unity and cohesion in their villages has been put to question. This was after they embarked on declaring support for 92-year-old President Paul Biya, leader of the CPDM political party.
On January 27, 12 traditional rulers signed a motion endorsing Biya’s candidacy on behalf of over 200 traditional rulers from the 10 regions of the country who met in a conclave in Yaoundé.
Few days after the outing of so-called Council of Traditional Rulers of Cameroon, Muslim traditional chiefs and Imams of the three Northern Regions were received by Territorial Administration Minister, Paul Atanga Nji.
The over 40 chiefs handed a declaration to the minister, throwing their weight behind President Paul Biya and urging him to be their preferred candidate in the upcoming elections.
The most recent of such declarations is that of traditional rulers from the South West Region of Cameroon.
Meeting under the aegis of the South West Chiefs Conference (SWECC), they not only called on Biya to be their candidate but urged him to launch his presidential campaign in the region.
Sacredness of Traditional Rulers Robbed in CPDM Politics
The open declarations by traditional rulers have therefore, reignited lingering debate on their vital role of fostering unity and living together in local communities.
Partisan politics is a major divisive factor among Cameroonians.
“Traditional Rulers have a history of treachery against their people.If they sided with Europeans to sell their own people as slaves during slavery and slave trade, what makes you think they will not sell you to Biya and the corrupt regime for few pennies,” a government critic told MMI.
According to him, “What the so-called traditional rulers are doing is not new. The regime in power has been using them as accomplices in corrupt practices against the Cameroonian people.”
Agbor Balla Reacts, Calls Chiefs to Remain Neutral
The desecration of tradition by its custodians prompted a reaction from human rights lawyer Nkongho Felix Agbor.
In a reaction on his social media handle, the called on traditional rulers to maintain neutrality ahead of the 2025 elections.
In the face of open involvement in partisan politics, he further reminded them that, “Traditional leaders in Cameroon have historically played a vital role in governance, cultural preservation, and conflict resolution.”
“However, their growing involvement in partisan politics has raised concerns about the erosion of their legitimacy and the impact on national unity,” he said.
“Given their influence, traditional leaders must remain politically neutral to preserve their moral authority and act as unifying figures in their communities.”
This need for political neutrality of traditional is more critical as Cameroon approaches the 2025 presidential elections.
This is because many see them as custodians of culture, mediators in community disputes, and bridges between their people and the state.
“They play a key role in maintaining social order, providing counsel on local governance, and upholding customs that define the identity of their communities,” Agbor Balla went on.
He reiterated that their leadership, which predates modern political institutions, has been instrumental in maintaining stability, particularly in rural areas where they command significant respect.
