Human Rights Lawyer and CEO of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA), Bar Felix Agbor Nkongho, has recently taken a surprising turn by embracing the ideas of the Social Democratic Front (SDF) Party. This development became apparent after the release of a 1-hour, 25-minute podcast on YouTube just a few days ago, entirely conducted in the Anglophone lingua franca , the Pidgin English. Within only four days, the video garnered over 18,000 views, making it the most-watched video on the Joshua Osih Official Channel. These impressive numbers reflect the palpable excitement among Cameroonians, especially Anglophones from the Northwest and Southwest regions, who are witnessing two of their prominent leaders engaging in a constructive dialogue about the future of Cameroon, as outlined in the SDF’s 2025 manifesto, “Operation Rescue Cameroon.”
The enthusiasm surrounding the podcast is also fueled by the unquenchable desire of many Anglophone Cameroonians for a united front of aspirants from that part of the country, capable of challenging the longstanding dominance of French-speaking Cameroon that has lasted since the country’s independence in 1960 ( French Cameroon) and 1961 ( British Cameroon). Bar Nkongho’s recent collaboration with Hon. Joshua Osih, the chairman of the SDF and presidential Candidate, has brought new hopes for this vision of a united opposition to materialize. This is the first time both leaders have publicly expressed a sense of unity since June 2022, when the leader of the defunct Anglophone Cameroon Civil Society Consortium rejected an offer from the SDF, then led by the late chairman, Ni John Fru Ndi.
In the podcast, Bar Nkongho demonstrated an understanding of the political landscape in Cameroon, offering astute ideas, perspectives, and in-depth analyses that earned the appreciation of Hon. Osih. At one point, Osih humorously insisted, “Whether he likes it or not, he must be my Minister of State in charge of Justice when we win.” However, Bar Nkongho has consistently reiterated that while he is not interested in holding a political position, he prefers to continue serving as a Human Rights Lawyer, supporting politicians in that capacity.
While it remains unclear whether Bar Nkongho will eventually align himself with Osih’s political campaign ahead of the 2025 October Presidential election, the renewed optimism and fervor for a new political era in the troubled Anglophone regions since 2016 are undeniable. The future seems brimming with possibilities, leaving many eager to see how this new chapter in Cameroon’s political history will unfold with the ultimate objective of getting an anglophone president from 2025 in Cameroon. The SDF is currently the most rated opposition party in Cameroon haven come very close to power in the 1992 Presidential Election under John Fru Ndi. Hope are higher this year that if younger breed of anglophone leaders navigate the political waters with wit, they might eject the CPDM regime led by 92 year old Paul Biya who has been president for 42 years and counting
Jude MBAKU
