The Social Democratic Front has used activities marking its 36th anniversary to renew calls for political mobilisation and grassroots organisation in the North West Region, with Regional Chairperson Fongu Cletus Tanwe urging militants to transform recent public enthusiasm into future electoral gains.
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In a message released to commemorate the party anniversary on 26 May, Fongu Cletus Tanwe, who also serves as mayor of Bamenda III Council, described the party's recent appearance at Bamenda Commercial Avenue during the May 20 National Day celebrations as a symbolic turning point for the opposition movement.
"Our appearance at Bamenda Commercial Avenue on May 20 was not merely participation in a national celebration. It was a signal," he said.
According to him, the turnout demonstrated that despite years of insecurity, uncertainty and political challenges, support for the SDF remains active.
"Many believed time, crisis and difficult circumstances would weaken our resolve. Many believed Bamenda had fallen silent. But what the people demonstrated was clear, that the flame our founding fathers lit, led by Ni John Fru Ndi, still burns in the hearts of the people," he stated.
The anniversary comes at a period when public political activities in Bamenda have remained limited following years of armed conflict in the North West Region. Celebrations linked to the SDF, whose political roots are deeply associated with the region, have in recent years largely taken place away from large public gatherings.
However, the May 20 appearance by SDF supporters along Commercial Avenue drew attention due to the scale of participation and has since been framed by party officials as part of an "Operation Take Back Bamenda" campaign.
Fongu Cletus said the initiative extends beyond symbolic mobilisation and requires long term grassroots engagement.
"The task before us now is greater than celebration. We must organise. We must reconnect. We must move from emotion to action," he said.
He argued that political success is built gradually through local engagement and community trust rather than short term enthusiasm.
"Political victories are not won on election day. They are built long before. They are built in neighbourhoods, in homes, in markets and villages. They are built through service and through trust."
The regional chairperson also appealed to different segments of the party structure, calling on youths, women and elders to play active roles in strengthening the movement.
"I call on our youths to rise. I call on our women to mobilise. I call on our elders to guide. Let every militant become an ambassador of hope and engagement," he said.
Looking ahead, he challenged supporters to move beyond public demonstrations of support and focus on future political participation.
"We have shown that we can fill the streets again. Now we must show that we can fill polling stations."
As the SDF marks 36 years since its creation, the anniversary message signals a renewed attempt by party leadership in the North West to revive grassroots structures and reposition the movement within an evolving political landscape shaped by years of conflict and changing realities.
By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Web
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