The growing insecurity in the two English-speaking regions of Cameroon due to what is today known as the Anglophone problem is of major concern to Cameroonians in general and those living in these regions in particular.
As the date set aside for Cameroonians to choose their president draws near, the Social Democratic Front party whose flag bearer is among the nine candidates vying for the presidency is concerned.
On Friday September 29, 2018, the North West Regional Bureau of the party headed by Hon. Njong Evaristus as regional chairman met at the Ntarinkon residence of the party’s national chairman to look at a number of issues pertaining to the situation in the North West and South West regions of the country ahead of Election Day.
The party holds that “for any meaningful, transparent and credible election to take place, the Biya government should end the war in the North West and South West regions”.
They say “the prevailing situation marked by extrajudicial killings, kidnappings, looting, a dusk to dawn curfew, and the internal and external displacement of persons, will not guarantee a free, fair, and transparent election in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon.”
The party also condemns the grouping of polling stations into polling centers saying it is in contrast with the provisions of the electoral code, adding that this move further increases the distances to be covered by voters on polling day by several kilometers, hence exposing them to more risk of insecurity. The party also decries the non-publication of electoral lists for voters and political parties to consult, saying it is a mechanism put in place by the regime in power to rig the elections.
Despite the many challenges the Social Democratic Front party is depending on grass root militants to carry out campaign with a strategy known only to the party.
While describing the 2018 presidential elections as an uphill task, the national chairman Ni John Fru Ndi has declared the party is going in to emerge the winner and rule the country.
The party of green and white and a scale had boycotted previous elections due to government’s failure to meet opposition demands which included the establishment of an independent electoral commission to oversee the election.
These led to the creation of several bodies to observe elections in Cameroon and today Elections Cameroon (ELECAM). The SDF still believes it is not different from the previous bodies that have managed elections in the country.
Ma Stey
