The Minister of the Interior, Paul Atanga Nji, has vowed severe consequences for opposition party leaders who attempt to disrupt the electoral process in the forthcoming presidential elections. He made this statement during a press briefing held at his ministry on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.
The Minister of Territorial Administration, MINAT, Paul Atanga Nji, urged Cameroonians to avoid all forms of manipulation and calls to defy state authority as the election season approaches. Speaking during the press briefing, he referenced statements made by President Paul Biya on December 31, 2024, and February 10, 2025, emphasizing the need for responsibility among political actors before, during, and after the elections. The president encouraged citizens to exercise their voting rights while adhering to legal and democratic principles. The minister cautioned against what he described as misinformation and attempts to disrupt the democratic process. He specifically addressed a political leader without mentioning his name, who, despite boycotting the 2020 legislative and municipal elections, has allegedly been calling for unrest and seeking to challenge the electoral framework.
According to the minister, this individual has made statements questioning the credibility of ELECAM and calling for public demonstrations. “As much as we are sensitizing all the political actors that they should show proof of fair play and responsibility, we are giving clear warnings to all those who think that they can threaten the peace and stability of the country. We cannot accept,” Atanga Nji stated firmly. He emphasized the government’s commitment to safeguarding national unity and denounced divisive rhetoric. “President Paul Biya has worked relentlessly. He has been working over the years to guarantee peace, stability, and tranquility. President Paul Biya has been working to guarantee social cohesion. That’s why we should combat hate speech, tribalism. Those are things that will never help us promote democracy. And we cannot accept.
It’s not possible. So, you cannot have one person all the time threatening peace,” he warned. Addressing threats of violence, the minister dismissed claims that unrest could destabilize the country. “Saying that there will be chaos and people will die, and those who survive will arrange the country—nothing like that will happen. The sky will not fall in 2025. The elections will be held in a calm and serene atmosphere. That is the role of the administration,” he reassured. Atanga Nji also defended the role of the electoral body, ELECAM, against criticism. “We are a company. We don’t interfere in the process. At the same time, we cannot accept that someone should be castigating ELECAM, doing everything to discredit all that ELECAM has done over the years. It is not correct,” he asserted. The MINAT boss reaffirmed that any acts of incitement or violations of electoral regulations would be addressed within the legal framework. He recalled the events of the 2020 elections, highlighting that individuals who engaged in electoral disturbances were prosecuted, while some later received clemency from the head of state.
He reiterated that the government remains committed to enforcing electoral laws and ensuring a fair and peaceful process. He also warned against the spread of false information through social media, emphasizing that such activities would be subject to strict legal scrutiny. The minister stressed that the 2025 presidential election will proceed as planned, and its outcome will be determined through established democratic procedures. Urging political actors to adhere to the electoral guidelines, he emphasized that any disruptions to public order would be addressed in accordance with the law. Minister Atanga Nji assured the public that the electoral process will be conducted transparently, with security measures in place to ensure a smooth and orderly election period.
