Kamto’s Senegal example reignites CPDM’s argument ad bacalum tactics

By Wilson Musa

Maurice Kamto, leader of the opposition party Cameroon Renaissance Movement, is under fire from observers and political parties’ apologists from the ruling CPDM, who accuse him of inciting insurrection during a campaign speech delivered last Saturday in Paris, France.

The rally, held at Place de la République, drew thousands of Cameroonians from the diaspora. In a speech lasting nearly an hour, Kamto urged Cameroonians to seek change in the 2025 presidential elections, using Senegal as an example where, according to him, youth-led resistance succeeded in altering the political landscape.

Reacting to the speech on BNews, political analyst Prof. Edmond Biloa claimed that Kamto was essentially calling on Cameroonians to die like the Senegalese.

“He is asking Cameroonians to sacrifice themselves by taking to the streets, just like the Senegalese did. The CRM wants to destabilize the country to seize power,” Biloa said during a recent television debate.

Another panelist on the same program, Vicenzo Nguijol, went further, saying:

“Prof. Maurice Kamto is acting out of self-interest. He only thinks of himself. He does not love the Cameroonian people.”

Social Media and pro-regime influencer, Steve Fah, also reacted on Facebook, warning young Cameroonians against what he described as emotional manipulation. He criticized Kamto for saying that the failure to bring change in 2025 would be the youth’s fault.

“These youths are already suffering. Must they carry the cross of political leaders’ failures? Worse, Kamto dared to use Senegal’s example, referencing 50 deaths, as if bodies must litter our streets before the opposition can win. This is no longer politics—it’s a call to sacrifice innocent lives for personal ambition,” Fah wrote, urging youths to stay clear-headed. “Politics is not a game of human sacrifice.”

Another regine singsong, journalist Earnest Obama also condemned Kamto’s rhetoric, calling on authorities to question him over what he described as a glorification of death.
“There is a clear call for insurrection, a trivialization of the deaths of 50 Senegalese citizens, and above all, a dehumanization of political discourse,” he wrote.

Kamto, however, in his speech, appeared to be encouraging Cameroonian youth to remain resilient and demand the rule of law.

“If we fail in 2025, it will be the end for the Cameroonian people. Do you hear me? If we fail to bring change, it will be over. Senegal showed us the way. Young Senegalese fought throughout 2023 and 2024. There were about 50 deaths. Don’t think change happens while people are sleeping,” Kamto said.

He added, “I have never asked anything of you except to demand respect for the law. We are asking for the laws of the Republic to be respected. Let those in power respect the laws passed at the National Assembly, and you will see results.”Kamto also stressed that he does not support violence:
“Love my country so much that I sincerely hope we do not have to resort to violence.”

Did they take Kamto out of context, or was it just a political witch hunt?

Meanwhile, the question of whether the CRM will be allowed to run in the 2025 presidential election remains a subject of national debate, especially following the party’s boycott of the 2020 legislative elections. Kamto was clear on the matter during his speech:
“There is no judicial obstacle to my candidacy. The combination of Article 121 and Paragraph 3 of Article 15 of the Constitution makes my candidacy possible,” he stated.

He also said those arguing on TV are just neighborhood lawyers

CPDM and argumentum ad baculum

Time has proven that the only argument regime supporters have is to attack anyone who says a contrary view to their political agenda. In essence, the aggressive reactions to Maurice Kamto’s outings stem from his significant challenge to the long-standing political establishment, coupled with the government’s history of suppressing dissent and the highly charged political climate, especially with the upcoming 2025 presidential elections.

The CPDM has no clear political agenda for the people of Cameroon, which is why they are more involved in argumentum ad baculum, defined as “a type of argument made when one attempts to appeal to force to bring about the acceptance of a conclusion. One participates in argumentum ad baculum when one emphasizes the negative consequences of holding the contrary position, regardless of the contrary position’s truth value, particularly when the argument-maker himself causes (or threatens to cause) those negative consequences.”

As the election approaches, it is paramount that every Cameroonian has a say in the country’s political life without being afraid of imprisonment or attacks. To debate freely while abiding by the laws is not only enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but also the same constitution that the regime says it is protecting.

This environment of intense information warfare in Cameroon at the moment has contributed to aggressive rhetoric and actions from various political actors, including government ministers who have openly mocked Kamto’s campaign promises and rallies, but have nothing to show for their accomplishments.

What profile of a leader does Cameroon need for the next five years, and has Paul Biya fulfilled all the requirements to be qualified as fit to lead again?

That is a question for another day.