A new prefectural decree issued on Tuesday, July 16th, has stirred significant reactions in Cameroon, coming just over a year before the presidential election scheduled for October 2025. The decree, issued by the Prefect of the Mfoundi Department, which encompasses the capital, Yaoundé, has raised eyebrows and sparked debate.
The decree states that, “considering the necessities of preserving public order,” any person who “calls for an uprising against the institutions of the Republic,” or “dangerously insults the institutions or the person embodying them (i.e., the Head of State, Paul Biya, although he is not named explicitly)” through any means of communication within the department, is “liable to be banned from residing in the department.”
Speaking to multiple press outlets yesterday, Emmanuel Mariel Djikdent, the Prefect of Mfoundi, emphasized that television platforms should not serve as arenas for inciting uprisings. He expressed concern that certain statements made during highly-watched Sunday television debates could potentially disturb public order. Djikdent called on journalists who moderate these debates and select guests to act responsibly.
The Prefect assured that the decree does not target any individual specifically but serves as a warning. “Any person who calls for an uprising against the institutions is liable to be banned from residing in our department,” he stated, adding that any ban would be temporary.
The decree’s release on social media has elicited a variety of reactions. Some netizens have responded with humor, inquiring about the documents needed for a visa to enter the Mfoundi Department. Others have questioned the measure’s scope and its compliance with Cameroonian law. Opposition figure Cabral Libii, who placed third in the 2018 presidential election, condemned the decree on the social network X, describing it as “a striking and unacceptable authoritarian drift.”
The prefectural decree has sparked a broader conversation about freedom of expression and the balance between maintaining public order and protecting civil liberties in Cameroon. As the country approaches its next presidential election, the decree’s implications for political discourse and opposition activities are likely to remain a contentious issue.
In conclusion, this recent decree from the Mfoundi Prefect underscores the tension between governmental authority and civic freedoms in Cameroon, highlighting the delicate balance that must be navigated in the lead-up to the 2025 presidential elections. The ongoing public and political reactions will undoubtedly shape the discourse surrounding this significant and controversial measure.