The lone female Presidential candidate for the October 12 election, Tomiano Hermine Patricia Ndam Njoya of the Cameroon Democratic Union (CDU), asserted that true unity cannot stem from electoral falsehood.
Ndam Njoya made her remarks following President Paul Biya’s swearing-in ceremony on November 6 in Yaoundé, where he spoke about national unity and other issues. She stated, “National unity cannot be decreed; it must be built on truth and respect for popular sovereignty.”
Criticizing Biya’s call for unity, she said, “To call for unity after stifling dissenting voices, imprisoning protesters, and manipulating institutions is to distort the meaning of national reconciliation.” Ndam Njoya stressed that the CDU advocates for sincere unity based on justice, truth, and significant reform of the electoral system and Constitution.
Addressing promises made to youth and women, she remarked that for over 40 years, the same assurances have been repeated at every swearing-in ceremony, with no tangible change for Cameroon’s youth.
“Young people do not need new promises, but a state that keeps its word and governance that creates opportunities for employment, dignity, and justice,” she stated.
Ndam Njoya highlighted the struggles faced by Cameroonian youth, who feel exiled and abandoned—not due to lack of effort, but because of a lack of opportunities and trust in institutions.
She also pointed out that women in Cameroon have been waiting 43 years for the adoption of a Family and Persons Code, laws against gender-based violence, gender parity in leadership, and constitutional recognition of gender equality.
She expressed concern about alarmingly high maternal and infant mortality rates, noting that women, who represent the majority in Cameroon and are the most organised in civic engagement, remain confined to precarious informal employment.
Regarding stability and peace, Ndam Njoya dismissed Biya’s claims, stating that stability cannot be built on fear. “True peace does not come from silence imposed by force, but from respect for truth and dialogue,” she said.
“Cameroonians desire peace—but a just peace that recognises their voices, their suffering, and their rights.” She criticized the militarisation of the territory and repression, asserting that these approaches will not resolve the Anglophone crisis or broader national grievances.
Ndam Njoya called for a genuine, independent, and inclusive national dialogue, as opposed to the staged consultations that merely appease without addressing underlying issues.
In response to Biya’s assertion of a “victory of the people,” she claimed it contradicts the realities observed on the ground, arguing that many Cameroonians did not renew their trust and were robbed of their choice by a controlled system.
“The CDU categorically rejects this claimed legitimacy, born of a non-transparent election, and reaffirms its commitment to constitutional and electoral reform as the only path toward credible elections,” she said.
Addressing the labeling of politicians as “irresponsible,” Ndam Njoya stated that this undermines democracy. “Political responsibility means telling the truth, not remaining silent in the face of injustice,” she asserted. She rejected any attempts to intimidate those demanding transparency, emphasising that the true “irresponsible” party is one that ignores the people’s anger and clings to power at the expense of lasting peace.
The CDU reaffirmed its rejection of the results proclaimed by the Constitutional Council, citing massive fraud and documented irregularities. The party remains committed to its principles, advocating for truth, electoral justice, and the sovereignty of the Cameroonian people.
The CDU demands immediate amendments to the Constitution and Electoral Code to ensure free, credible, and transparent elections, along with deep institutional reforms that guarantee a genuine separation of powers. They also call for an inclusive National Dialogue involving all political, social, and civic forces to rebuild national trust.
“The CDU believes that Cameroon can only enter a ‘New Era’ through truth, justice, and respect for popular sovereignty,” Ndam Njoya concluded. “History will remember the will of the betrayed people.”
By Nadege Dzilamonyuy Limnyuy