Cameroon: Ni John Fru Ndi calls for the acceptance of dual nationality

John Fru Ndi, the SDF dictator met the press on January 14, 2016 at his private residence in Ntarinkon neighborhood in Bamenda. It was also an opportunity for the chairman of the so called leading opposition party in Cameroon to deliver his New Year message to the nation. Flanked by some of its employees and members of the National Executive Committee (NEC), the governing body of the SDF, Fru Ndi placed more emphasis on changes that may lay the foundations for a true democracy in Cameroon. Said the SDF leader, "For twenty-six years together we have fought for the advent of a new and better Cameroon. But this important time can not make us forget that for thirty-three years, our beloved country languished under the rule of a dictatorship led by a group of dishonest and corrupt leaders'. 

Fru Ndi listed what he claimed were a list of new requirements posed by the SDF for the development of our democracy. Among Chairman Fru Ndi's new ingredients were consensual electoral code, an independent electoral commission and an electoral calendar that guarantees free elections. The SDF Chairman also added that there was an urgent need to protect multiparty, transparent and democratic principles in the country. He called for a complete biometrics registration on the electoral lists and for limiting the presidential term to two.

With age telling on him, the SDF leader hinted that Cameroon should introduce a single ballot as the only way to fight against the purchase of consciences in voting processes. Ni John Fru Ndi also observed that there should be an effective implementation of Article 66 of the Constitution on the declaration of assets for holders of public office and the adoption of a law on dual nationality.

The President of the SDF also raised other issues that if reviewed could in his view guarantee equitable development. On the Chairman's scale of preference was the law governing broadcasting in the country. As a contribution, Fru Ndi revealed the SDF intends to fight against insecurity by approaching "through proactive and progressive agricultural policies that will address some of the identified obstacles hampering the development of agriculture in Cameroon." He quoted deforestation, soil erosion by water and wind, the uncontrolled exploitation of our natural resources (forests, fisheries, livestock), the insufficient involvement of local people in decision making, legislation and insufficient law enforcement, rampant corruption, inefficiency and inertia institutionalized.