By Daniel D.
A court in Kaélé, in Cameroon’s Far North region, has annulled the resolutions of a congress organized by Robert Kona, a co-founder and ousted member of the Cameroon Party for National Reconciliation (PCRN).
Kona, with the backing of Cameroon’s Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, had attempted to dismiss PCRN President Cabral Libii and other party leaders.
Prior to this, Cabral Libii, who came third in the 2018 presidential election, had himself dismissed Kona from the party.
These reciprocal dismissals led to a legal dispute, which was brought before a court in the Far North region.
The court initially ruled in favor of Cabral Libii, a decision that was contested by Robert Kona and his legal team.
However, on Thursday, September 5, 2024, the Court of Appeal upheld the earlier ruling from the Court of First Instance, reinforcing Cabral Libii’s leadership of the PCRN.
In addition to this ruling, the court fined Robert Kona and ordered him to pay the legal fees of Cabral Libii’s team.
Reacting to the ruling, Cabral Libii expressed his gratitude: “We give infinite glory to God! We thank the justice system, which strives to keep the Republic standing. We express our deep gratitude to Mr. BEBE for his competence and sacrifices. The law has spoken, the truth is re-established, this September 5, 2024, in Kaélé.”
Robert Kona has claimed that he founded the PCRN but agreed to allow Libii to lead the party after they reached a deal.
However, he later accused Libii of stealing the party, this time with the backing of Paul Atanga Nji.
While Kona held his own meetings, security forces disrupted Cabral Libii’s meetings during the legal proceedings.
With the presidential elections set for 2025, political observers suggest the internal party dispute may be aimed at derailing Libii’s presidential ambitions.
At age 40, Cabral Libii is expected to run in the upcoming election.