Fru Ndi’s bravery, what to remember

Ni John Fru Ndi’s unwavering devout to the democratization of Cameroon politics was displayed on a number of occasions marked by landmark incidents.

From the moment he left the ruling CPDM party and created the Social Democratic Front (SDF) in 1990 in defiance of the one-party system at the time, dissenting voices became motivated. It led to the rebirth of multiparty politics in Cameroon.

Several attempts were made to suppress the awareness created by Fru Ndi.

After the SDF was founded, troops were sent to Bamenda to intimidate militants. It led to at least six deaths, yet, it did not deter the party from its objectives.

With Fru Ndi’s persistence, an election was organized in 1992. Many supporters believed he won. Paul Biya was declared the winner with 40% against 36% for the SDF chairman.

Amidst the tension in the country, the opposition leader was invited by the US for Bill Clinton’s inauguration in 1993, a move which was seen as a recognition of Fru Ndi’s claimed victory.

In 1997, he refused to run for the elections, citing the fraudulent nature of the electoral system. However, he later announced his candidature again for the 2004 elections, which he still lost, this time, with a wider margin – 17% as compared to Biya’s 70%.

He continued mobilizing and sensitizing followers on the need to fight for their rights, especially the English-speaking minority. This inspired the escalation of the 2008 strike initiated by transport workers against high fuel prices in Cameroon’s major cities, which quickly turned into an anti-Biya campaign.

In 2013, he made comments about machetes he had bought to prepare for bloodier protests. He later expressed regret at the disunity among youths “In most countries that have had a revolution with people fighting on the streets, it’s the youths that go out to do it. But the Cameroonian youths are so divided that just with 500 FCFA they change their minds” he said.

The anglophone crisis which began in 2016, has been one of the key events in which Fru Ndi is considered to have remained resolute despite pressure from both sides of the conflict. He maintained his stand for a unified federal state in Cameroon, despite demands by the anglophone separatists for the restoration of an independent state called Ambazonia, and the government’s insistence on a “one and indivisible” Cameroon, which blatantly signified shying away from dialogue.

Before his demise on June 12, Ni John Fru Ndi’s ideas were already being considered outdated and autocratic by some of his party’s bigwigs. This led to the expulsion of several high-profile members, for rebelling against the party. There were multiple demands for his resignation.

It was officially announced on June 4, that he would step down as the party’s chairman. This happened a few days before his death. A new leader is expected to be elected during the elective congress in July.