| 2025 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS: THINGS ARE GOING TO GET HOT!
The Bishop of Bafoussam breaks the silence to deliver a poignant message regarding the ongoing electoral process. Let’s read “The people murmur… we wonder” Message from Bishop Paul Lontsie-Keune to the people of God in Bafoussam and to people of goodwill The cry of the Cameroonian people has risen to God (cf. Exodus 3:9) and has reached us, we who observe the sociopolitical scene of our beautiful and great country, Cameroon, daily. This cry of the people, which tears through the silence and pierces all the noise that seeks to stifle it, has become increasingly heard in recent years, leading up to the presidential election scheduled for October 12. We have been attentive to the heated debates surrounding the possibility for some people to submit their candidacy, per the requirements of the law, to run for the highest office to which any Cameroonian citizen can legitimately aspire. Were these debates, sparked and provoked, on the “imperative mandate” and the “representative mandate” aimed at disqualifying certain candidates? The people are murmuring… we are wondering. Because of this upcoming presidential election, we have noted the postponement of the municipal and legislative elections, initially scheduled for March 2025 and which will ultimately take place, if there is no further slippage, after the presidential election. Was this postponement motivated by political and strategic calculations? The people are murmuring… we wonder. We have registered 83 candidates for the upcoming presidential election. Is this record number a sign of democratic vitality? Does it reveal a trivialization of the presidential office or rather the desire of a large segment of Cameroonian citizens for alternation and change? In our great and beautiful country, Cameroon, so advanced in democracy, as we know how to say, should the word alternation be frightening? The people are murmuring… we wonder. We listened attentively on Saturday, July 26, 2025, to the announcement by ELECAM of the list of 13 candidates provisionally selected to compete in this presidential election. We noted that on the morning of July 26, the law enforcement and security forces had We have also noted a continued explosion of tribalism and hate speech in televised debates and social media, which further divides Cameroonians. Does giving the impression of putting such a state of affairs into perspective mean that we are trying to vindicate the diabolical adage that “divide and conquer”? The people are murmuring… we are wondering. In light of all that has just been said, albeit incompletely, we believe that all these behaviours and events unfolding on the eve of the presidential election are not conducive to peace. And yet everyone has the word “peace” on their lips, both truly peace-loving citizens and unsuspected troublemakers. We say that no lasting and true peace can come about through lies, manipulation, intimidation, fear, denial of rights, injustice, corruption, the buying of consciences, the instrumentalization of the law and its variable interpretation for political ends. We proclaim that lasting peace is built on solid and fortified foundations of a true rule of law, which are justice and truth. Injustice can never bring peace; electoral fraud can never bring peace; lawlessness can never bring peace; fear can never bring peace; the absence of change prepares the ground for future conflicts, not peace. Let us dare to say it with Ecclesiastes, “There is a season for everything, and a time for every purpose under heaven” (Eccl. 3:1), since in essence, as Claude Lefort so aptly puts it: “The place of power appears as an empty place, and those who exercise it can only remain there on condition that they submit to the rules of the democratic game, that is, by admitting that they are there only temporarily.” Yes, it must be said that alternation in a democracy is a great good for a nation because it allows for the peaceful renewal of power, prevents the confiscation of power by a single group, strengthens the legitimacy of institutions, stimulates the responsibility of those in power and gives citizens the feeling of being truly sovereign. Now that the pre-election dispute is about to begin, we appeal to the truth and freedom of conscience of the members of the Constitutional Council and their sense of responsibility before the Cameroonian people, before history, and before God, who is the Supreme Judge. We call on them to speak only the law and nothing but the law, to render justice and nothing but justice; free from all political, administrative, and partisan influence, out of fidelity to the oath they took, so that the people truly have the clear impression that justice has indeed been rendered, and as Lord Hewart would say: “Justice must not only be done, it must also be seen to be done.” We affirm that this is also how peace will reign in our country, and with the psalmist we proclaim: “Love and truth meet together, justice and peace kiss” (Psalm 85:11). We want peace, but not just any peace, peace based on law, justice, truth, light, and love (cf. 1 Cor 13). “As long as the mightiest rules, and he who shouts loudest is right,” as long as in our beautiful country, Cameroon, there is a two-tiered society, as long as there are double standards, as long as all this and many more exist, as long as the right of might prevails over the force of law, the people will continue to grumble, and we will question ourselves. As long as there is a society with two justices, no matter how much we talk about peace, pray for peace, or plead for peace, it will be nothing but lies, charades, hypocrisy, and duplicity. The people will continue to grumble, and we will question ourselves. Grant us, Lord our God, that we may not be afraid to cry out in the face of this diocese that You have entrusted to us for the greater good of Your People and on behalf of those who cannot cry out. Grant us the power to cry out, to weep for those who can neither cry nor cry out, and whose cry is drowned out by the noise and voices of the powerful of this world. May Your kingdom come, Lord, upon our earth, and may a more beautiful and fraternal world come to us, for which You came, You died and rose again so that we may have life. Grant us peace. Amen. I cordially impart to you my apostolic blessing. Our help is in the Name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Given at Bafoussam, this July 29, 2025, on the feast of Saints Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. Done in Bafoussam, July 30, 2025. Information is on the TGV of information Bishop of Bafoussam Cries Foul Ahead of October 12 Presidential Elections in Cameroon |
Bishop of Bafoussam Cries Foul Ahead of October 12 Presidential Elections in Cameroon
