Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Mimi Mefo Info (Editor)
Published on 2024-03-22 17:37:53
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has criticized the recent ban imposed by the Cameroon government on an opposition political coalition, calling for the ban to be lifted. In a statement released on March 21, HRW condemned the ban on the pro-Maurice Kamto coalition, stating that it was an attempt to stifle public debate and weaken the opposition in Cameroon in preparation for the 2025 presidential elections.
The Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, had imposed a ban on the activities of the Political Alliance for Change (APC) led by Jean-Michel Nintcheu, and the Political Alliance for Transition (APT) led by Olivier Bile, both of which were affiliated with Maurice Kamto, the prominent opposition leader in Cameroon. Kamto, who was the runner-up in the 2018 presidential elections, had been advocating for a political alliance called Political Alliance for Change (PAC) to mobilize Cameroonians to remove President Paul Biya, who has been in power for over 40 years.
The ban was linked to a visit by coalition members, particularly Hon Jean Michel Nintcheu, to the Kondengui prison in Yaoundé, where it was alleged that Nintcheu met with separatist leaders to forge a political alliance. HRW criticized the government’s decision, stating that it was an effort to restrict the opposition’s chances.
Carine Kaneza Nantulya, Deputy Director of the Africa Division at Human Rights Watch, called for the immediate lifting of the ban and urged the authorities to allow opposition parties to operate without interference. Many Cameroonian political stakeholders questioned the legality of the ban, including Emmanuel Simh, lawyer for the Cameroon Renaissance Movement, who argued that there was no legal basis for preventing legally established parties from forming coalitions.
Political observers highlighted the government’s history of suppressing opposition voices and hindering their growth. Activists like Edith Kah Walla expressed concerns over the lack of freedom of speech and assembly, citing instances where government crackdowns prevented political parties from holding meetings and engaging with voters effectively.
The ban on the opposition coalition continues to draw criticism, with many calling for the government to respect the rights of opposition parties and allow for open political discourse in the lead-up to the 2025 presidential elections. The actions of the Cameroonian authorities in restricting opposition activities were described as repressive by HRW and other advocates for democracy and human rights.
Read the original article(French) on Mimi Mefo Info
