Yaoundé, Central Region (CameroonNewsToday.com) –

As Cameroon prepares for its upcoming presidential elections, a stark warning emerges from one of the country’s most esteemed human rights advocates, Alice Nkom. She sharply criticizes President Paul Biya’s long regime for neglecting the very citizens it is supposed to serve, fueling widespread frustration and unrest across the nation.

Local and international media highlight Nkom’s concern over systemic issues such as corruption, political repression, and continued neglect of socio-economic needs, especially in the Anglophone North West and South West regions where the ongoing crisis remains unresolved. Her unequivocal stance underscores a deep disillusionment with a government disconnected from the plight of its people.

“Paul Biya disregards his people,” Nkom declared candidly, emphasizing that the regime’s failure to address human rights violations and social injustices threatens the country’s stability. Her critical stance underscores a growing frustration among youth, civil society, and opposition figures who see no real political space for change within this entrenched system.

Veteran analysts fear the upcoming electoral process may either mark a critical transition or deepen Cameroon’s crisis. With Biya over 90 and having ruled for over four decades, the population’s desperation for change is palpable. Nkom cautions that the regime’s hold on power is reinforced by electoral manipulation, undermining genuine democratic expression.

She calls for the exercise of the ‘sovereign power’ of the people through transparent and credible elections. Her critique highlights that the electoral system is riddled with fraud and that the results are often fabricated in advance, rendering voters’ choices meaningless. Her advocacy champions civic engagement and a rejection of insidious electoral practices.

Looking ahead, Nkom’s warnings serve as a clarion call for Cameroonians and the international community to push for reform. The future of Cameroon hinges on restoring citizens’ rights, fighting corruption, and fostering genuine democracy, where the voices of the oppressed are heard and respected. Only through these measures can the country hope to overcome its current peril and embrace a renewal rooted in dignity, justice, and continental solidarity.