22/08/2025
Today at 3 p.m., the Constitutional Council handed down its decision regarding our petition challenging the eligibility of Mr. Paul Biya. The Council declared the petition admissible but unfounded.
We take note of this decision, but we strongly disagree on the substance.
1. On Admissibility: A Preliminary Victory for Democracy
The Constitutional Council has, for the first time in Cameroon’s recent electoral history, recognized the right of one candidate to challenge the eligibility of another under Article 118. By declaring the petition admissible, the Council affirms the fundamental principle that a candidate’s eligibility is not a matter of opinion, but of law. This opens the door to citizen and legal oversight of power, and we welcome this.
2. On the Merits: A Missed Opportunity and a Lingering Mystery.
While the Council acknowledged our right to raise the question, its answer leaves us deeply unsatisfied and raises serious concerns.
Our petition was supported by precise, documented, and undeniable facts prolonged absences, failure to preside over constitutional institutions, problematic public appearances, and the damning testimony from the Minister of Justice regarding a system of parallel "directives
The silent presence of the Director of the Civil Cabinet at the hearing is, in this regard, the most troubling element. Why was he present, if not to represent presidential authority? Why did the President of the Council offer him the floor? And most importantly, why did he refuse to speak
His silent presence speaks louder than all our arguments. We offered the defense a perfect opportunity to demonstrate, with evidence, that the President exercises his functions with full autonomy. They chose silence This deafening silence validates, in our view, all of our arguments. What were they afraid of?
3. Conclusion: The Fight for Truth and Accountability Continues
The Constitutional Council deemed that the evidence we provided was insufficient to justify ineligibility. We respect its authority, but we maintain that the substantive questions we raised remain entirely unanswered.
The Cameroonian people deserve more than eloquent silence. They deserve transparency. They deserve to know who truly governs the country when their President is absent for weeks, when institutions no longer convene, and when governance appears to be exercised by proxy.
Our fight was not personal; it was constitutional. It aimed to ensure that the highest office of the state is held by a fully autonomous person, as required by law. This fight for clarity, accountability, and strict respect for our fundamental law does not end today.
We will continue to use all legal and democratic means to hold power accountable and to work toward a Cameroon where the legitimacy of its leaders is full, transparent, and beyond question.
Akere Muna
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