Fru Ndi described as Cameroon’s greatest post-reunification politician

By Tata Mbunwe

The founding father of the Social Democratic Front party, Ni John Fru Ndi, who died last year, remains the greatest post-reunification politician in Cameroon, according to renowned journalist, Elie Smith.

Smith, who is a Cameroonian international journalist, shared his views in a recent article published in the SDF’s newsletter commemorating Ni John Fru Ndi’s first death anniversary.

He points out several attributes of the late politician, which earned him respect even from his political competitors.

Elie Smith attaches Fru Ndi’s fame to his emblematic leadership of the SDF party, which he founded in 1990 and was able to secure a nationwide presence, a feat no other opposition party has attained since the return to multipartism.

Fru Ndi came into political limelight as as the champion of multipartism in Cameroon and the only opposition politician who succeeded in uniting Cameroonians from across the nation.

Elie Smith places Fru Ndi in a class of his own, acknowledging his firm advocacy for unity in Cameroon, his friendly and collaborative approach to politics, and humility.

“His demise was a great tragedy to Cameroon at a moment that the country is at crossroads. For John Fru Ndi was arguably the greatest post reunification politician and the only man under whose stewardship the Social Democratic Front did not only become the largest intra and extra parliamentary opposition, it is the only political party that was able to beat the ruling CPDM and also match their nationwide presence,” Smith wrote.

“Since the SDF challenged the ultra dominant position of the ruling in 1992 and 1997, no other political party has been able to remotely attain the hegemony and aura of the SDF,” he argued.

Further describing Fru Ndi as an astute and courageous politician, he hailed the statesman’s peaceful approach to politics.

“Cameroonians identified themselves in him. He led by example by always taking the lead during protests marches against the government. John Fru Ndi still holds the record as the only post reunification political leader who has circumnavigated the country 22 times. His nationalistic credentials suffers no doubt and he believed in peaceful protest and refused violence. Savior of the nation,” Smith added.

Ni John Fru Ndi died on June 12, 2023, in Yaounde, at the age of 81, after leading the SDF for 33 years.

He contested against President Paul Biya in the 1992, 2004 and 2011 Presidential elections before giving Joshua Osih, the current SDF Chairman, the chance to represent the party in 2018.

His passing last year was seen as a great loss to Cameroon as he was admired by both militants of the opposition and ruling parties.

One of the factors that definitely earned Fru Ndi respect among national and international figures was his courageous advocacy for national unity in Cameroon at a time separatists were clamouring for independence in the English-speaking Regions.

Elie Smith likens Fru Ndi to the legendary politician, John Ngu Foncha, who championed the reunification of the English and French-speaking Cameroons in 1961.

“John Fru Ndi’s unflinching and un-nuanced backing of national unity, when he had all the reasons to have a contrary position, saved Cameroon from disintegration. He instead called on Ambazonians, the arrowheads of the uprising, to follow peaceful democratic principles which is the only trajectory to correct the historic injustices that they are facing Cameroon,” Smith wrote.

Moreover, he equally praised Fru Ndi’s approach to politics and his famous belief that politics is not war.

“John Fru Ndi also led a rapprochement between his party and the ruling CPDM climaxed by the famous handshake between him and President Paul Biya in Bamenda. Most people criticized him for that, but he demonstrated that politics is just a game of ideas and not meant to create enmities. He has laid a national for tolerance, courage and patriotism.”

With Fru Ndi’s demise, many are still watching to see how the SDF party will sail through the political landscape in Cameroon – for he embodied the party.

Now led by Joshua Osih, the SDF is striving to keep Fru Ndi’s emblematic legacy, and will face its first test at next year’s Presidential Legislative and Municipal elections.

©Mimi Mefo Info