THE NORTH REGIONS AND ITS COURAGEOUS PEOPLE MUST REFUSE THE WORST THAT THE CPDM REGIME HAS IN STORE FOR THEM AS IT FACES POLITICAL EMANCIPATION.

Recent political events have put the spotlight on the populations of the Northern Regions, which since the first pluralist elections in the 1990s have been viewed by the CPDM regime simply as a reserve of votes to adjust election results. Indeed, apart from a few positions allocated to a select few elites, the fate of the people of the Northern Regions has never been a concern for the CPDM regime, despite its hypocritical statements on the matter. Neglect, forgetting and abandonment, as the case may be, in the areas of security, infrastructure and energy, access to drinking water, education, health and industrial development in this large geographical and human area are eloquent testimony to this. For years, we have been trying unsuccessfully to draw the regime’s attention to this disastrous situation, which is highly detrimental to national cohesion. Does the current regime not treat the people of the Northern Regions with condescension and contempt, only thinking about them at election time?

These populations, stigmatised for too long by the self-righteous elite of the ruling party, are now standing up, determined to take full responsibility for their destiny as an integral part of the Cameroonian nation. In all its diversity, its dynamic youth has now set the course to be followed by anyone who intends to speak on its behalf. This course is to catch up in the various areas of neglect listed above.

After the trauma of the serious events of 1984 and the abandonment abroad of the remains of our country’s first President, Ahmadou AHIDJO, the conscious youth and the people of the Northern Regions in general are returning to the political arena and intend to bring all their weight to bear in the choice of our country’s leaders, particularly in next October’s presidential election. Their sudden awakening seems to have taken the ruling regime by surprise, which, due to its reactionary nature, sees only mistrust and insurrection. Panicked, the regime believes, as usual, that it can resort to manipulation and hate speech aimed at creating a climate of tension, even open conflict between socio-cultural and religious communities in the Northern Regions, in the hope of curbing the growing awareness and peaceful political revolt. Numerous posts on social media by an apparently well-connected CPDM militants, certain sections of the press, and individuals who can be clearly identified as CPDM spokespeople in media debates are promoting this macabre project with impunity. Need we remind you that this disastrous project that the CPDM regime seems to be nurturing in the Northern Regions could lead to violent confrontations? Has the ruling power learned nothing from the unnecessary, deadly and destructive civil war that it irresponsibly provoked in the English-speaking regions of the North-West and South-West almost nine years ago? How far is the CPDM regime prepared to go to retain power? Faced with these hateful excesses, the potential consequences of which would be disastrous for the entire Cameroonian nation, I solemnly call on the ruling power to put an end to the dangerous game it is currently playing in the Northern Regions. The Cameroonians in this part of the country, regardless of their socio-cultural communities and religions, have long since found a balance and created the conditions for peaceful coexistence. Even if there are things to improve, wisdom must prevail, and the government should contribute, where necessary, to creating or improving the conditions for peaceful coexistence, instead of lighting a fire that could engulf this important part of our country.

I urge the brave and courageous people of the Northern Regions, regardless of their political affiliations, not to give in to the shameful manoeuvres of an incompetent and disoriented regime that fears the electoral sanction of the people, who are now standing up and determined to be the sole masters of their destiny. I also urge the ruling party’s activists from the Northern Regions not to fear change and democratic alternation, which is now irreversible in our country. They must not respond to the siren calls of hatred and division that their political leaders are singing from Yaoundé through some of our compatriots. As I said at the meeting on 31 May 2025 in Paris, I am committed to being the messenger of the fundamental unity of our country, the structural unity of Cameroon, that is to say, the articulation of all Cameroonian communities, the ontological unity of Cameroon, because we share the same blood, the same breath and the same spirit. A great destiny awaits the people of the Northern Regions and the entire Cameroonian people. Let us not give in to provocations.

Let us remain focused on the essentials: mass registration on the electoral rolls, voting against the CPDM regime and its candidate on D-day, strict monitoring of the vote, and a relentless fight against all forms of electoral fraud, whether committed by an individual, a religious or traditional authority, or any other institution.

I wish to take up the challenge of nation building with all the young people and all the peoples of the Northern Regions, in their rich diversity, as with those of all other parts of our beloved country.

Done at Yaoundé on 30 June 2025

Maurice KAMTO,

Candidate in the 2025 presidential election