Meeting of BAS Members in Berlin: Revitalizing the Movement

Berlin, the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany, played host to the main assembly of the Brigade Anti-Sardinard Deutschland (BAS) last weekend. The Brigade Anti-Sardinards, or BAS, is a collective of Cameroonian diaspora members opposed to President Paul Biya and his supporters.

Established in 2018 by a group of activists in Paris, including Calibri Calibro, the movement gained momentum following President Biya's re-election in the Cameroonian presidential election.

Key Figures Present: The meeting saw the attendance of prominent BAS members, including Emmanuel Kemta, also known as Le Caporal Grillé, who traveled from England to Germany, Geraud Potago, Djif Djiméli, Christian Djoko, and many others. The primary objective of this gathering was to reinvigorate the movement and reinitiate BAS activities.

Agenda of the Meeting: Discussions at the meeting included strategies for mobilizing voter registration, strengthening mobilization efforts, ensuring synergy among BAS activists in the diaspora, and more. With the 2025 presidential election in Cameroon looming, BAS is gearing up to actively participate in the electoral process.

Changing Tactics Against Paul Biya: Do "Anti-Sardinards" Shift Their Methods?

The Brigade Anti-Sardinards (BAS), an opposition movement to Paul Biya that emerged within the diaspora after the 2018 presidential election, has been known for boycotting supporters (proven or presumed) of the Cameroonian head of state. However, recent incidents of violence, such as the disruption of artist Grace Decca's concert on June 4 in England, have highlighted divisions within the movement.

From Verbal to Physical Violence: The incident at Grace Decca's concert underscores the shift from pre-election verbal violence to post-election physical confrontations. The disruption occurred when a BAS activist stormed the stage, bypassing security and undressing in front of the audience.

Conclusion: As BAS prepares to enter the electoral arena one year ahead of the 2024 presidential election, the movement faces challenges in maintaining its unity and coherent strategy. The incident at Grace Decca's concert serves as a reminder of the tensions and divisions within the anti-Biya movement.