The Minister of Territorial Administration, Atanga Nji Paul, this March 4, 2025, in Yaoundé, reaffirmed the government’s determination to uphold law and order as the country approaches the 2025 electoral year. Speaking at a press conference at the Ministry’s conference hall, he issued a strong warning against misinformation, political manipulation, and attempts to destabilise the nation. Minister Atanga Nji began by recalling key statements from President Paul Biya, made on December 31, 2024, and February 10, 2025, urging political actors to act responsibly to ensure a peaceful election. The president emphasised that 2025 would be a significant political year with both presidential and regional elections, calling for maturity and responsibility to maintain peace before, during, and after the elections. The president also urged eligible citizens to exercise their voting rights freely and responsibly, warning against attempts to incite chaos and disorder.
The minister strongly condemned the actions of a political leader who, despite boycotting the 2020 legislative and municipal elections, has been inciting disorder and instability in an effort to force his candidacy in the 2025 presidential election. This individual, along with his supporters, has allegedly created an illegal political movement to challenge the electoral process. Minister Atanga Nji reminded the public of the government’s response during the 2020 elections, where individuals involved in violence, vandalism, and hate speech were held accountable. However, President Biya showed political magnanimity by granting clemency to some offenders, allowing them to reintegrate into the political process, he added.
The minister also noted that this political figure, who had previously declared in both French and English that he would not participate in the 2025 elections, is making inflammatory remarks. These include threatening chaos if the election does not go in his favour, accusing the electoral body, ELECAM, and security services of attempting to register foreigners, and calling for a popular uprising if his demands are not met.
Minister Atanga Nji emphasised that any attempts to incite disorder, spread misinformation, or manipulate public opinion would be met with the full force of the law. He noted that misinformation, particularly in the digital age, can quickly spread falsehood, and the government would not tolerate any such actions. He reaffirmed his 2018 statement that individuals who preach hate speech, disorder, tribalism, and challenge state authority would face severe consequences. This time, he warned, their stay in the “land of regret” would be long and unavoidable.
The minister urged politicians to respect the electoral process and allow ELECAM to carry out its duties without interference. He reiterated that those who do not meet the necessary requirements to contest the 2025 elections would have to wait until 2032 and that the election should not be treated as a matter of life and death. He concluded that no individual or group has the right to hold the nation hostage, and the government is committed to ensuring that the election proceeds smoothly and in accordance with the law.
Finally, Minister Atanga Nji reassured that the 2025 presidential election would be conducted in peace and order, with the results being respected. He emphasised that any violations of the law would be met with firm action, and individuals making reckless calls for unrest would be held accountable. He ended by declaring, « The sky will not fall in 2025. The will of the people will be respected. »