SDF Candidate Defies Insecurity to Campaign in Conflict-prone Areas

By Njodzeka Kernyuy

In Kumba, in the heart of the South West region, the visible relics of an armed conflict do not intimidate Social Democratic Front (SDF) presidential candidate, Joshua Osih.

As campaigns continue for Cameroon’s October 12 presidential election, a key issue dominates the manifestos of all 12 candidates: the ongoing Anglophone armed conflict.

Many have detailed how they would solve the crisis if elected, but they often do so from several miles away from the loudest gunfire.

Before the official campaign launch, Bello Bouba Maigari and Ateki Seta Caxton visited Buea, Limbe, and Bamenda.

Akere Muna launched his campaign in Tiko, in the South West Region. These three candidates, who now form a coalition, have shown the need to speak where the victims are.

But one candidate has demonstrated that he will not be intimidated by the conflict: Joshua Osih of the SDF.

He submitted his candidacy files at the Elections Cameroon regional office in Bamenda in the Northwest region.

Before the campaign officially launched, he traveled to Ndian, in the South West region.

On October 27, he officially launched his campaign in Bamenda, and the following day he was in Kumba.

“Do not vote for someone who has not come and talked to you directly,” he told the people at Fiango, in Kumba.

He added, “This crisis is persisting because the current regime is not interested in solving it.”

Kumba, a Former SDF Stronghold

Before the Anglophone Crisis erupted, the SDF controlled the municipalities in Kumba.

“This is the moment to take back what we have lost,”Joshua told the people. “I came not to campaign but to seek your blessings. I can’t be campaigning in my home. I was born here,” he said, as the crowd at the Primary School field in Fiango cheered.

According to him, the crisis serves the regime’s interests, and he urged people to shun fear.

“There is a bullet that is stronger than the one in the gun: the pink paper ballot,” he said, telling them to use it in election day to end the crisis.

He promised that just one hundred days in office as President would be enough for him to resolve the conflict.

Braving the Insecurity

The SDF is the lone opposition party campaigning in the interior areas of the Anglophone regions. Despite separatist fighters banning all election activities, the SDF says it will not be intimidated.

“If you don’t vote, we will continue to face this crisis. My administration will bring power to the people. You will have free education and healthcare, and there will be jobs for everyone,” he said.

Security was heightened in Kumba, with checkpoints every four kilometers. This illustrates the challenging conditions for residents, who have become targets for those seeking a breakaway nation.

“We are tired and want an end to this crisis. We are sending you to the house in Yaoundé, where you can resolve it,” the SDF’s leadership told Joshua Osih.

“We will also ensure that we regain the lost councils,” it said.

Joshua Osih did not confine himself to one place. He walked the streets of Kumba to connect with the people, who call him “Papa.”