Striving For Survival!

D emocracy is a concept that encompasses many political parties in a country. The expression of ideas on governance and other social aspects of national life by political parties is a democratic principle. However, not all political parties are represented in Parliament. Some are represented at the municipal levels while others are exhibiting ambitions of greater political presence. This explains the effervescence ob­ served within what can be termed “not too big or popular” political parties within the country. In fact, there are over 300 political parties in Cameroon, but just about 10 represented both at the National Assembly or Senate. The “small political” parties shape electoral processes by acting as accountability watchdogs, highlighting minority views, and driving coalition politics. Due to the fact that they can sometimes lack huge financial and human resources, their strategy relies on targeted, localised, and highly strategic manoeuvres across dif­ ferent stages of the election cycle. Most of these political parties are open to coalitions. During an electoral period, less known political parties operate under different strategic rationales than major parties because their chances of winning seats at the National Assembly or in Councils are usually slim. Instead of ex­ pecting a total victory, their actions which are driven by distinct objectives range from campaigns to forming alliance. This observed effervescence is thus an imperative card for these political parties ahead of the legislative and municipal elections as the...