Cameroon’s Path to Change: Embracing Reconciliation Over Retribution

-The Cry-out for Change

By Dr. Peter Mbile*

What Cameroonians genuinely seek today is a change for the better—one that is real, but not traumatic. This desire is neither radical nor disruptive; it is anchored in a yearning for national healing, dignity, and progress. Yet, the fear of what this change might bring—particularly for those entrenched in the current regime—is what lies at the heart of institutional resistance. This resistance, while expected, ultimately harms everyone: the winners, the losers, and most critically, the nation itself.

 *Historical Roots of Our Current Dilemma* 

Cameroon’s descent into its current political stagnation stems from a combination of incomplete independence, an orchestrated decolonization process, and the failure of the First Republic to resolve key nation-building issues. The over-consolidation of power by the Second Republic—especially after the failed 1984 coup d'état—triggered an era of heightened militarization, policing, and deep state capture by the administrative elite.

 *The Danger of Retaliatory Politics* 

If the transition from the Second Republic is framed as a reckoning—driven by retribution, humiliation, or a list of past wrongs—it will most certainly provoke defensive postures. Those who currently wield power will likely see regime change not as an opportunity for reform, but as an existential threat. The instinct for self-preservation could then lead to manipulative electoral strategies, resistance to reform, or even disruption of the democratic process.

 *The Case for a Post-Second Republic of Reconciliation* 

For Cameroon to embrace meaningful change, those advocating for a new order must project intentional magnanimity. The post-Second Republic must be imagined and communicated as a nation-building project—not as revenge. It should carry strong signals of forgiveness, unity, and transition—not punishment. Such an approach will ease fears, lower resistance, and foster voluntary participation in the democratic process, even among those once at the helm of power.

 *A Word of Caution for the Opposition* 

Campaigning on a litany of the current regime’s failures might seem effective, but it risks alienating stakeholders whose cooperation is vital for a peaceful transition. Rather than inflaming fears, opposition leaders should seek to present a vision of shared prosperity and institutional reform—one that allows for orderly, peaceful, and non-vindictive exit paths for current actors.

 *In Conclusion* : Change With Honour, Not Vengeance

True transformation in Cameroon must not be framed as a "winner-takes-all" battle. It must be a carefully managed process where even the outgoing administration sees the future as one in which they, too, have a place. Only then can Cameroon emerge from its long night into a new dawn of democratic renewal.

*The author is an Environmental Management Specialist and commentator on Society and Politics. He is based in Yaounde, Cameroon and holds a PhD in Forest Economics and Management. This is the second part of an ongoing series.The views expressed are his