The president of the Cameroonian Party for National Reconciliation made statements to his militants to defend himself and question the proximity of certain so-called opposition leaders to the regime.
The harsh criticisms against the national president of the Cameroonian Party for National Reconciliation since the presidential election of October 2025 do not leave him indifferent. Cabral Libii defends himself and shifts the focus. During a New Year’s 2026 greetings ceremony organized by the Pcrn in Paris, France, the political leader spoke to his militants about the points for which he is attacked. These include congratulating President Paul Biya, who was proclaimed the winner of the October 12th election, the accusation that he received one billion francs to recognize this victory, or that he is a collaborator of the regime. These accusations tend to lower the politician’s standing in public opinion.
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Before his militants in France, Cabral Libii stated that “congratulating someone who has won does not mean you are in their party. I therefore congratulated the one who was proclaimed elected. If for you I had to pocket a billion for that, that’s your problem.” Taking his detractors at their word, the deputy seeks to demonstrate that he is no closer to the regime than other opposition parties and leaders who have worked with President Paul Biya for many years but who benefit from the people’s votes in successive elections.
His position as third place in three elections, including two presidential ones, invites questions about those ranked second. In 2018, the second-place finisher, Maurice Kamto, was a former minister of Paul Biya. In the 2020 legislative and municipal elections, the second-place party, the UNDP, is led by Bello Bouba Maïgari, a former minister of state who was still in office in 2020. At the end of the 2025 presidential election, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, ranked second, is a former minister of Paul Biya who resigned two months before the ballot. Cabral Libii wonders if Cameroonians hate Paul Biya so much that they treat those who worked with him as good. “We must stop distracting you,” he insists.
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The criticisms of some political actors against Cabral Libii, as well as his reactions, fuel the ongoing debate about the existence of a real opposition in Cameroon. Although they are fighting to gain power, some political parties and their leaders show signs of a certain closeness to the ruling party. Others present themselves in extreme opposition to the regime, but take actions, including boycotting elections, which suggest that such opposition is superficial.
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