SDF : “Mbouda Declaration” Referred To Legal Department

The Social Democratic Front (SDF) on July 23, 2022 held its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at the party’s headquarters in Yaounde, presided at by its National Chairman, Ni John Fru Ndi. In the course of the meeting, the document, now referred to as the “Mbouda Declaration” signed by some 27 party bigwigs, was referred to the legal department. The document, signed on June 22, 2022 in Mbouda, West Region, petitions the Chairman to annul his appointments within the party made public on June 16, 2022 on grounds that he did not respect party text. Backing their claims on Article 18.5 of the party’s constitution, the 27 signatories called on the party Chairman to present appointments to NEC for validation. 
At the start of the meeting, Hon. Emmanuel Yoyo, National Secretary for Financial Affairs, presented a motion for the roll call to be suspended and the appointment members asked to wait outside the meeting hall, for they were not fully NEC members, giving that the case was still pending a final conclusion. He was supported by Mayor John Kumase, who noted that they had officially written to the National Chairman on the matter. The motion sparked debates for close to two hours before the matter finally being referred to the legal department. Barrister Bolvie Mbanya was for the fact that the declaration be out rightly discarded because it did not respect Article 10 of the party’s regulations and there is no structure within the party known as “cadres.” 
Acknowledging receipt of the document, the Chairman referred it to the legal department of the party for examination. He noted that members should keep aside their various differences and concentrate on building a stronger SDF. Accusations and counter accusations characterised the NE...