By Yerima Kini Nsom
Impunity is the primary fuel for tribalism and hate speech in Cameroonian society, according to François Bambou, President of the Association for the Elimination of Tribalism and the Promotion of Living Together, One Nation. The senior journalist made the remark in reaction to President Paul Biya’s New Year’s address, in which the Head of State identified these issues as a direct threat to the Republic.
In the following interview, Bambou—who also heads the Association of Economic Journalists of Cameroon—analyses the presidential pronouncement and outlines the path forward.
Mr. President, the Head of State denounced with unprecedented firmness the proliferation of hate speech in the public space. How do you analyze this stance?
We are witnessing a pivotal moment. For the first time with such clarity, tribalism is being named for what it is: not mere verbal excess, but a deliberate mechanism to fracture society and weaken national unity.
One Nation has observed a steady rise in tribal discourse in certain media, on social networks, and in the political arena. These calls for hatred are intended to pit Cameroonians against one another. The consequences are tangible: social tensions, identity-based withdrawal, growing mistrust, and an increase in local conflicts. This dynamic, if unchecked, can lead to serious social crises.
When the Head of State refers to tribalism as a threat to “the very foundations of our country,” he acknowledges a reality many chose to ignore. Such discourse constitutes a direct attack on social cohesion. The President is affecting a paradigm shift: the fight against tribal hatred is now a national priority, and tolerance for those who sow division is over.
The Head of State draws a direct link between social disorder and a sense of impunity. How does this impunity specifically fuel tribalism?
Impunity is the fuel. It unleashes toxic speech and normalizes calls to hatred. When an individual can stigmatize an entire community without being held accountable, the authority of the State is weakened. This laissez-faire approach fosters the dangerous idea that some are above the law. Victims feeling unprotected and retreat into identity-based solidarities, feeding on a vicious circle of mistrust and radicalization. By announcing a firm reassertion of authority, the Head of State tackles the root problem. Without swift, visible judicial sanctions, calls for tolerance are ineffective. Exemplary sanctions reaffirm that freedom of expression is limited by respect for others and the protection of social cohesion.
Cameroon is often presented as an exceptional cultural mosaic. Yet this diversity sometimes becomes a source of tension. Where, in your view, does the real fault line lie?
We must begin with a fact: daily, Cameroonians live together peacefully. This harmony is what the Head of State seeks to protect and what purveyors of hate seek to destroy.
The fault line is not natural; it is methodically carved out by compatriots hoping to derive advantage. Diversity is cynically exploited by actors who have turned identity into a tool for power. Some politicians create low-cost strongholds through ethnic affiliation. Others, shielded by digital anonymity, work to inflame tensions. Diversity is not the problem. The problem lies with those who deliberately manipulate it.
What concrete measures do you expect from the government to translate this fight into tangible action?
We expect genuine, structured zero tolerance. The legal framework exists. The challenge now is judicial effectiveness. Public prosecutors must systematically initiate proceedings in cases of tribal speech, without regard to the status of the perpetrators. Decisions must be swift and public to act as a deterrent. The Police and Gendarmerie must be fully mobilized for detection and investigation. The National Agency for Information and Communication Technologies (ANTIC) has a strategic role in monitoring and tracing hateful content online. Finally, the creation of a National Observatory to Combat Tribalism would help structure this effort sustainably.
The Head of State clearly announces the end of complacency. What should this new firmness concretely change?
It must produce a salutary shock. Everyone must understand that tribalist speech is no longer a tolerated opinion but a punishable offence. This firmness must dry up the ecosystem of impunity. Television panels, political platforms, and social networks can no longer be lawless zones. The law must apply with the same rigor to all. True education begins with sanction. When tribalist discourse ceases to be profitable, it will recede. Only then can the public space become a venue for republican debate, not an arena of identity-based conflict.