The government of Cameroon is cracking down on opposition parties, threatening to arrest members who are seeking to create coalitions and alliances to remove President Paul Biya from power. Biya, who has been in office for over four decades, is facing growing opposition from groups like the Political Alliance for Change and the Alliance for Political Transition.

Territorial Administration Minister Paul Atanga Nji has ordered the halt of activities of these opposition alliances, claiming that only legally recognized political parties have the right to operate in Cameroon. However, opposition and civil society groups argue that this move is a violation of democratic principles and fundamental freedoms.

Opposition leader Maurice Kamto, who claims to have won the 2018 presidential election that Biya allegedly stole, is gaining popularity as more civil society and opposition groups join his coalition. The Political Alliance for Change is urging Cameroonians to register to vote in the 2025 presidential elections and to be vigilant against fraud and irregularities.

The government, on the other hand, insists that there is no need for a political transition as state institutions are functioning well and President Biya is fulfilling his duties. Communication Minister Rene Emmanuel Sadi has stated that Biya will announce his candidacy for the 2025 elections at the appropriate time, dismissing the opposition’s pressure for an early declaration.

In addition to targeting opposition alliances, the government has threatened to arrest members who have engaged in negotiations with jailed rebel leaders in the English-speaking regions of Cameroon. The separatists in these regions are seeking independence from the French-speaking majority, leading to a violent conflict that has claimed thousands of lives.

Critics of Biya’s government accuse him of using excessive force instead of dialogue to address the political crisis in the English-speaking regions. Biya, who is one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, is viewed as ruling with an iron fist and unwilling to relinquish power until his death, a claim that his supporters vehemently deny.

As tensions rise in Cameroon, the battle between the government and the opposition intensifies, with the future of the country hanging in the balance. The international community is closely watching the situation, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the political turmoil in this Central African nation.