The Communiqué

Issued on September 10 and signed by Bello Bouba’s spokesman Pierre Flambeau Ngayap, the statement dismisses reports linking the UNDP candidate to the rally at Omnisports Stadium. “The National President of the UNDP, Bello Bouba Maïgari, formally denies being associated with this initiative,” it read.

Talks Continue Behind the Scenes

While rejecting participation in the rally, Bello Bouba reaffirmed he is engaged in negotiations with other political figures and candidates. He pledged to continue discussions aimed at securing “an agreement that will deliver to the Cameroonian people the change they demand and deserve.”

Opposition Disunity Laid Bare

The denial underscores the divisions plaguing the opposition camp. The Douala Group, led by Anicet Ekane, is pushing Issa Tchiroma Bakary as a consensus candidate, while other blocs such as the MRC and UNDP have taken distance. With less than five weeks to the vote, efforts to present a unified front against Paul Biya’s CPDM appear stalled.

By rejecting any link to the September 13 rally, Bello Bouba signals his unwillingness to be drawn into what he sees as unilateral maneuvers. Yet his parallel negotiations suggest he remains open to coalition-building, albeit on his own terms. Whether these talks bear fruit before October 12 may determine whether the opposition stands a chance at the ballot box.