Issa Tchiroma Bakary, the president of Cameroon’s National Salvation Front (FSNC), reaffirmed on 2 November 2026 that the party would not take part in the country’s forthcoming legislative and municipal elections, even after a three‑month suspension was imposed on the FSNC by Territorial Administration Minister Paul Atanga Nji on 27 October.
The boycott was announced more than eight months earlier, in a February 6 statement signed by Elh Moussa Firissou, acting secretary‑general of the FSNC’s central committee. The party described the decision as an “unchangeable political position” set by Tchiroma, citing the absence of minimum conditions for democratic, transparent and peaceful elections.
FSNC officials said that participating would amount to legitimising the government that officially won the 12 October 2025 presidential election, a result Tchiroma disputes. The party also invoked the memory of those killed in the post‑election unrest and the situation of people it considers unlawfully detained, insisting that it would not change its stance until the electoral process’s integrity and the will of voters were guaranteed.
Since the February declaration, the electoral timetable has been altered: the terms of lawmakers have been extended until 20 December 2026, while municipal councilors’ terms now run until 28 February 2027.
The FSNC’s suspension, announced on 27 October, raised concerns about the party’s preparations for the elections. On 29 October, the Cameroon Democratic Union (UDC) and the political group Manidem criticised the move. UDC President Hermine Patricia Tomaïno Ndam Njoya questioned whether the measure was aimed at preventing FSNC candidates from preparing for the polls, while Manidem accused the government of attempting to sideline a political opponent through an administrative decision.
Order No. 000163/A/Minat, issued by the minister, bars the FSNC from conducting any activities anywhere in Cameroon for three months. The order cites alleged calls for insurrection, threats to territorial integrity and national unity, incitement to violence that led to property destruction, and serious disturbances of public order linked to the 2025 presidential election. It also notes that one of the party’s statutory leaders resides abroad.
In his November 2 statement, Tchiroma rejected the allegations, dismissed the suspension as a “non‑event,” and reiterated the party’s boycott. The administrative sanction remains in effect unless it is lifted or overturned by a competent authority.
<small>Source: Cameroon Concord News — read the original story there.</small>
