Ensuring "Stability": MINAT Minister's Statement on Opposition Actions in Cameroon | Read Now!

The Minister of Territorial Administration (MINAT), Paul Atanga Nji, has recently expressed grave concerns regarding the misconduct of certain opposition political actors.

These individuals, in pursuit of fame, have seized the media space and social networks to disseminate biased and anti-republican messages, aimed at disturbing public order, discrediting the State, and inciting social unrest for selfish purposes.

Read the statement from the Minister of Territorial Administration:

"The attention of the Minister of Territorial Administration has been drawn to the serious misconduct of certain opposition political actors seeking fame for some time now. They have taken over the media space and social networks to disseminate biased and anti-republican messages with the aim of disturbing public order, discrediting the State, and inciting social unrest for selfish purposes.

As everyone knows, only the Head of State embodies the republican institutions. Political actors who claim to respect these institutions must begin by respecting the one who embodies them. Indeed, a desperate deputy, recently expelled from a political party, regularly makes derogatory remarks about the President of the Republic.

It should be recalled that insults directed at the President of the Republic are punishable under the Penal Code and cannot be tolerated when verbal excesses directly target the Head of State. This must cease before it is too late for this repeat offender deputy.

The Minister of Territorial Administration also wishes to reiterate that being a deputy or a party leader does not grant impunity to openly defy the authority of the State, incite rebellion, and threaten to plunge the country into chaos during the 2025 presidential election if selfish and partisan interests are not met.

MINAT reminds the leaders of political parties that only Sub-prefects, who work under the supervision of Prefects and the coordination of Regional Governors, are authorized to permit political activities (congresses, meetings, gatherings) within their respective areas of jurisdiction.

The Head of State, H.E. Paul BIYA, respectful of the laws and regulations of the Republic, has never failed to meet this requirement when his party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM), holds congresses. This applies to all meetings and gatherings organized by the CPDM across the national territory.

Since the beginning of the year 2024, twenty-six (26) political meetings of the CPDM have not been authorized by the administrative authorities for various reasons. Cases include Maroua 1st, Bangangté, Sangmélima, Dschang, and Tonga.

In each case, local CPDM officials have always complied with the decision of the administrative authority, which better assesses the social climate and potential risks of public disorder.

However, whenever the administrative authority rejects a request for a demonstration by a certain opposition political party, controversy erupts in the public arena. Administrative authorities are responsible for maintaining public order, protecting individuals and their property. They will continue to do their work without hesitation and in the interest of all citizens.

In his cunningness and conspiratorial attitude, the deputy who is desperately trying to wrest a political party from its legitimate founder, through which he emerged from obscurity, claims to have discussed with administrative authorities who allegedly disagree with the decisions made by their hierarchy.

Thanks to the high foresight of the Head of State, H.E. Paul BIYA, Cameroon is a country of freedoms. Democratic advancements are undeniable. However, as everyone knows, the freedom of one ends where the freedom of others begins.

MINAT wants to tell opposition political actors who brandish the specter of chaos during the 2025 presidential election that this election will be held calmly, peacefully, and without disturbance as in 2011 and 2018. Furthermore, the texts governing the electoral process will be scrupulously respected. All provisions of Law No. 90/056 of December 19, 1990, governing political parties, especially the relevant provisions of articles 17, 18, 19, and 20, will be strictly enforced.

Therefore, MINAT warns political actors haunted by the demons of destabilization. They will be tracked down wherever they are and brought before judicial authorities according to the gravity of their offenses. No misconduct will be tolerated.

All authors of anti-republican and conspiratorial behaviors will face the full force of the law. Cameroonians must not allow themselves to be manipulated by unscrupulous politicians who wish to obtain through the streets what they are incapable of achieving at the ballot box. Anti-democratic shortcuts have no place in our beloved and beautiful country, Cameroon.

Finally, the Minister of Territorial Administration, as the overseer of political parties, wishes to remind party leaders that they address their militants and sympathizers, while only the Head of State, who embodies the institutions of the Republic, is authorized to address the People using the established formula: 'Camerounais, Camerounaises, my dear compatriots'.