Cameroon remains one of the few states outrightly in favour of the military takeover in neighbouring Chad. Shortly after the death of President Idriss Deby, Cameroon’s long-time ruler Paul Biya sent a message of condolence to his son, an army general who took over.
Cameroon would later note that its ties with the Central African state will go on unabated.
Cameroonian opposition has however called out the bluff, noting that the Biya regime is in support of what has been described by many as a coup d’etat.
By offering its condolences to the Transitional Military Council headed by General Mahamat Idriss Déby, the Biya regime, opposition says, has violated not only the constitution of Chad, but also a number of texts that Cameroon has ratified, particularly in matters of governance and democracy.
The situation in Chad, some believe, is likely to repeat itself in Cameroon if the Biya regime continues to violate protocol as well as undermine democracy.
It should be recalled that the African Union which has been called out several times over its silence finally broke the ice, calling for the restoration of a civilian regime in Chad.
It also called for “an inclusive national dialogue” and urged the AU Commission, chaired by Chadian Moussa Faki Mahamat, to “quickly establish a high-level fact-finding mission” in Chad.
