SDF adopts roadmap to reclaim North West political stronghold at Regional Conference

The Social Democratic Front has reaffirmed its determination to reclaim its political dominance in the North West Region, adopting a series of resolutions aimed at strengthening party structures, reconciling members and intensifying electoral mobilisation ahead of  forthcoming municipal and legislative elections in Cameroon.

SDF party's security wing, The Vanguard.

The resolutions emerged from the party's Strategic Regional Conference held in Bamenda on Saturday 5 July, bringing together National Executive Committee (NEC) members, National Advisory Council (NAC) members, divisional coordinators, electoral district executives, mayors, former parliamentarians and other senior party officials from across the region.

The convention was presided over by North West Regional Chairperson and Mayor of Bamenda III Council, Fongu Cletus Tanwe, who has in recent months spearheaded what the party describes as "Operation Take Back Bamenda", a campaign aimed at restoring the SDF's influence in its traditional political stronghold.

Addressing delegates, Cletus Tanwe reiterated that the convention was intended to evaluate the party's organisational readiness, identify weaknesses and better position the SDF for elections that could be announced at any time.

Those objectives were reflected in resolutions that placed renewed emphasis on grassroots organisation and electoral preparedness.

Delegates resolved to quadruple efforts to bring the party back to the forefront through reorganisation, mobilisation and reconciliation of militants, describing unity as essential to the party's political revival.

The conference also called on members to take full advantage of what leaders described as renewed political energy in the North West Region, following months of increased public activities by the party.

Among the strongest resolutions adopted was a commitment to work tirelessly to recover all council and parliamentary seats the party believes it lost, reinforcing the SDF's ambition to regain its historical dominance across the region.

To strengthen its electoral machinery, the convention resolved that every polling station in the North West should be manned during the upcoming municipal and legislative elections.

Party officials also agreed to intensify the registration of militants on the electoral register while encouraging local structures to submit written proposals on the possible relocation of polling stations and polling centres where necessary.

Recognising that electoral victories depend on effective local organisation, delegates resolved that electoral districts should hold regular meetings and prepare consensual lists of candidates ahead of the elections.

The convention further stressed that the SDF Constitution must be strictly respected during the selection of candidates, a move aimed at promoting transparency and reducing internal disputes.

In a bid to address lingering divisions within some electoral districts, the Regional Executive was mandated to establish mediation teams.

Christopher Visas was appointed to lead a coordination team tasked with resolving challenges in the Tubah Electoral District, while Mme Fontem Vedeline will head a similar team for the Kumbo Electoral District.

The convention further directed that formal complaints arising from electoral districts should be submitted in writing to the Regional Chairperson within two weeks to facilitate timely resolution.

Delegates also reminded prospective candidates residing outside their electoral districts to obtain certificates of residence at least three months before elections, in accordance with existing electoral regulations.

The Bamenda convention comes amid a renewed wave of political activity by the SDF in the North West. Since May, the party has organised a rare mass participation during the National Day celebrations at Bamenda Commercial Avenue, returned its National Executive Committee meetings to Bamenda after several years of relocation due to insecurity, and held commemorative activities honouring its late founding chairman, Ni John Fru Ndi.

The latest conference is now viewedas another milestone in the party's broader campaign to rebuild its grassroots structures after years in which the armed conflict disrupted political activities throughout the region.

For the SDF leadership, however, the message from Bamenda is that rebuilding the party is no longer enough. The focus has shifted towards converting renewed unity and mobilisation into electoral victories and restoring the SDF's position as the dominant political force in the North West.

By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Web

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