Political Parties : Diverse Mobilisation Strategies

The Head of State, President Paul Biya who also doubles as the National President of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) in his New Year message to the nation on December 31, 2021 appealed, “As we prepare to celebrate the African football, I urge Cameroonians to mobilise massively to make AFCON 2021 the most beautiful football jamboree ever organised in our continent.”
The Secretary General of the CPDM Central Committee, Jean Nkuete took the mobilisation cue on January 4, 2022. In a press statement, Jean Nkuete called for the mobilisation of Cameroonians, especially CPDM militants throughout the national territory and specifically in the localities that are hosting the competition. The statement further reads, “He therefore appealed to the Heads of Regional and Divisional Permanent Delegations of the Central Committee as well as the Presidents of CPDM, WCPDM and YCPDM Sections to ensure adequate supervision of militants and to take appropriate measures of vigilance.”
To many opposition political parties, the success of AFCON and Cameroon national team, Indomitable Lions have become a national course. Even political parties that had earlier made statements against the event have made a U-turn. The President of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM), Maurice Kamto in a press release told his party supporters that he has decided to take the side of Cameroonians who have been yearning for the AFCON.  In support to the Indomitable Lions, he called on those who would be in the stadium to carry the team to victory.
The hierarchy of the National Union for Democracy and Progress (NUDP) has not made any official mobilisation statement but is greatly supporting the sporting event. The Director of the NUDP Headquarters in Yaounde, Kuma Peter Kombain, told Cameroon Tribune that a giant ...