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Cameroon Opposition Leader Demands Democratic Reforms

   Peter Clottey 13 May 2010

   The leader of Cameroonâs main opposition Social Democratic Front (SDF)
   party is demanding more democratic reforms that would guarantee a free
   and fair vote ahead of next yearâs general elections.

   John  Fru  Ndi  said  incumbent  President Paul Biyaâs ruling Cameroon
   Peopleâs  Democratic  Movement  (CPDM)  has  so  far  failed to put in
   structures that would ensure next yearâs elections are transparent.

   âThe  SDF  has  always  asked for free, fair and transparent elections
   but,  unfortunately,  the  elections are next year and Mr. (President)
   Biya  doesnât  care whether people are registered or not. At least the
   parties  in  parliament  should  be  able  to make a contribution, but
   always they are not consulted at all and they donât care,â he said.

   President Paul Biya

   President   Paul   Biyaâs   CPDM   party   has  ruled  Cameroon  since
   independence.

   But  opposition  leader  Ndi  said  the  ruling  party  has won recent
   elections  that  have been largely flawed â a charge supporters of the
   dominant CPDM sharply deny.

   âThey have their fraudulent sweeping and crushing majority, which they
   think  they  have.  And,  today  you have people telling you oh we won
   elections  (but)  meanwhile all these elections were rigged. And, with
   this  rigging,  we  do  not  know  how  they  are going to conduct the
   elections next year,â Ndi said.

   Several  opposition  groups,  including  the  SDF recently accused the
   dominant  CPDM  party of plotting to rig the 2011 general elections by
   seizing   control  of  vote  preparations  from  a  specially  created
   independent body.

   This  comes  after  members of the ruling party in parliament passed a
   bill  that  grants  President  Biyaâs  government  oversight  of  poll
   preparations  through  the Ministry of Territorial Administration -- a
   task   previously   undertaken  by  Cameroonâs  Independent  Electoral
   Commission or ELECAM.

   But  supporters  of  the ruling party dismissed the accusation as mere
   opposition  propaganda,  saying  the  administration  is  committed to
   ensuring a fair vote.

   Opposition  leader  Ndi  said  Cameroonians  donât  have  faith in the
   electoral system.

   âCameroonians are going through a state of apathy, (and) a state of no
   confidence.  If we say we are going for elections, we donât know which
   of the electoral register we are using. A state of no confidence where
   Cameroonians donât have any confidence at all whatsoever at all in the
   electoral system,â Ndi said.

   He  also  said  President Biya has weakened the existing unity between
   the    countryâs   majority   French-speaking   population   and   the
   English-speaking minority.

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