By Synthia Lateu
The Bishop of Bafoussam, Paul Lontsie Keune, has called on the Constitutional Council to deliver justice free from political, administrative, or partisan influence as it handles pre-electoral litigation.
In a statement issued on July 30 and read to his congregation, a copy of which CNA has obtained, the religious leader urged members of the Constitutional Council to remain “true to the oath they swore, so that the people may feel, clearly and sincerely, that justice has indeed been served.” Quoting Lord Hewart, he added, “Justice must not only be done; it must also be seen to be done.”
He appealed to the conscience and sense of responsibility of the Council members, reminding them of their duty before the Cameroonian people, history, and God.
The Constitutional Council has begun reviewing 35 petitions filed by various candidates contesting ELECAM’s decisions. It has ten days to render its rulings.
Bishop Keune also raised critical questions about the state of democracy in Cameroon. He wondered whether the 83 recorded applications for the presidential election reflect a healthy democracy, a trivialization of the presidential office, or rather a deep desire among citizens for change and political alternation.
He solemnly denounced several irregularities observed in the ongoing electoral process, just weeks ahead of the October 12 presidential election. He questioned the heavy security presence in major towns on July 26, the day ELECAM released the provisional list of 13 retained candidates. “Do Truth and Justice require armed force to assert or protect themselves?” he asked.
The Bishop also condemned the systematic rejection of appeals regarding the non-publication of the national voter list, including a declaration by the country’s highest judicial authority of its incompetence to handle the case. He questioned whether these appeals were truly in violation of the electoral code.
He further criticized the postponement of municipal and legislative elections, initially scheduled for March 2025, questioning whether the delay was motivated by political and strategic calculations.
Referring to the heated debates surrounding the legality of certain candidacies for the presidency, he asked: “Were these discussions on binding and representative mandates intended to disqualify some candidates?”
Bishop Keune further called for peace, warning that the current political climate is not conducive to lasting stability.
“No true and lasting peace can be built on lies, manipulation, intimidation, fear, denial of rights, injustice, corruption, the buying of consciences, and the instrumentalization or selective interpretation of laws for political ends,” he declared.
He emphasized that political alternation is a cornerstone of democracy. “It allows for the peaceful renewal of power, prevents its confiscation by a single group, strengthens institutional legitimacy, fosters accountable leadership, and gives citizens a true sense of sovereignty,” he concluded
