SDF Crisis: Heavyweights’ battle unfolds on the national Scene

Joshua Osih continues to be at the center of attacks within his own party. In a dramatic move, Jean Michel Nintcheu the vociferous and outspoken SDF parliamentarian accused Joshua Osih of colluding with the regime in Yaoundé during the 2018 presidential election.

Jean Michel Nintcheu claims that Joshua Osih received money from the authorities to help them secure the presidency. If these claims are true, this will mark a huge turning point for the SDF, a party historically considered as the main opposition party in Cameroon.

The party suffered its worst defeat in the 2018 presidential election. These allegations by Jean Michel Nintcheu will leave a bitter taste amongst SDF supporters trying to understand the demise of their party once considered a heavyweight in Cameroon’s politics.

Joshua Osih has been drawing the ire of many in his party after joining the presidential majority in condemning the United States Congress for asking the Biden administration to give alleged Cameroonian refugees who claim that they will be unfairly treated if returned to Cameroon “Temporary Protected Status” or “Deferred Enforced Departure” DED. If granted by the Biden administration, this will by law prevent the repatriation of Cameroonians back to Cameroon.

The Member of the National Assembly for Wouri Centre signed the letter together with other parliamentarians. The letter was sent to the United States Congress commenting on its interference in Cameroon’s domestic affairs.

Joshua Osih Timeline

● Born in Kumba on December 9, 1968

● SDF candidate for the 2018 presidential election

● The SDF had its worst ever performance at a presidential election securing just 3.36% of the votes

● He became the first ever Anglophone to be elected parliamentarian in Cameroon’s largest city Douala

● In 2021, he was disavowed by the National Executive Committee (NEC) the SDF politburo for joining the presidential majority in criticizing the United States

This scandal demonstrates the deteriorating influence of Chairman Ni John Fru within the SDF party.

As the divisions within the party plays out on the national scene, the biggest winners are the emerging political parties like the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM) of Maurice Kamto and Cabral Libii PCRN, which both outperformed the SDF during the 2018 presidential election.