2025 Presidential Elections: Civic Advocate, Agbor Balla Calls for Unity and Strategic Planning

Barrister Nkongho Felix Agbor Balla, CHRDA President.

Nkongho Felix Agbor Balla, President of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA), has called for unity and strategic planning among Anglophones ahead of the presidential elections in Cameroon. 

According to him, the Anglophone community's lack of cohesion on their goals significantly hinders their progress, with differing opinions on key issues such as federalism, or decentralization.

The international legal mind, civic advocate, and human rights advocate emphasizes the importance of reconciling differences within the Anglophone community, prioritizing people's needs over individual agendas. 

Barrister Agbor Balla Engaging with Journalists in Bamenda.

The visiting Southwesterner in a tête-à-tête with the North West media at Admiralty Hotel Upstation believes that by working together and presenting a united front, Anglophones can achieve more in their quest for better representation and rights. This people-centric approach, according to the no-nonsense Cameroon Bar member, requires politicians to return to the people, build bridges, listen, and lead with empathy and truth.

In preparation for the post-Biya era, the nonpartisan Barrister Agbor Balla stresses the need for Anglophones to identify potential successors, build relationships, and articulate their agenda. According to him, this strategic planning is crucial to ensure their interests are represented in the future. He also highlights the importance of empowering young people, citing CHRDA's experience in documenting human rights violations, which can help change the narrative and shape the future.

Cross Section of Journalists During Press Cafe with Barrister Agbor Balla.

Nkongho Felix Agbor Balla suggests that a more representative presidential system, potentially including a rotational presidency, could address Cameroon's political woes and ensure Anglophone representation. This idea he pinpointed, is rooted in his belief that an Anglophone president would be a fulfillment of minority rights. Additionally, federalism or effective decentralization could help Cameroon break the cycle of centralization, crypto-democracy, and malgovernance, bringing power closer to the people, he emphasized.

As Cameroon approaches the presidential elections, Barrister Agbor Balla's words serve as a reminder of the need for unity, strategic planning, and people-centric approaches to address the challenges facing the Anglophone community. He urges Anglophone politicians to prioritize the people or risk becoming irrelevant, emphasizing the need for leaders who reflect the aspirations of the population. By working together and seeking practical pathways forward, Agbor Balla thinks Anglophones can take back the struggle and make it people-centric again.