Agbor Balla Hails Akere Muna’s Petition as Strategic Step in Cameroon’s Democratic Struggle

Barrister Nkongho Felix Agbor Balla, Prominent Cameroonian Human Rights Advocate.

Barrister Nkongho Felix Agbor Balla, prominent human rights advocate and founder of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA), has lauded the recent petition filed by presidential candidate Barrister Tadeng Akere Muna before the Constitutional Council. The petition, which challenges the eligibility of President Paul Biya to contest the forthcoming election, has sparked widespread debate across Cameroon’s political and legal landscapes.

In a strongly worded statement issued on August 20, 2025, under his advocacy platform Agbor Balla Speaks (ABS), Agbor Balla described the move as more than just a legal contest against an individual candidate. Instead, he framed it as “a signpost of strategic litigation in Cameroon’s democratic struggle.”

According to the civic right advocate, the petition invokes Article 118 of the Electoral Code and carries broader implications: documenting systemic weaknesses in the electoral process, testing the independence of the Constitutional Council, and demonstrating that the rule of law remains a viable battlefield for change.

“The outcome in court may be uncertain,” Barrister Agbor Balla noted, “but the symbolism of the act is undeniable: that Cameroonians will not abandon lawful, peaceful, and constitutional means in their quest for justice.”

Agbor Balla Speak (ABS) of August 20, 2025.

For the human rights lawyer, whose career has been defined by consistent advocacy for democracy and accountability, the petition is not an end in itself but part of a larger reform movement. He urged civil society, citizens, and political actors to seize the moment as an opportunity to reinvigorate the fight for fairness in Cameroon’s governance.

“Strategic litigation is not about the battle you win today,” he emphasized, “but the precedent you set for tomorrow.”

Barrister Agbor Balla, who has long championed constitutionalism and democratic freedoms in Cameroon, sees Muna’s legal challenge as a vital historical marker. Beyond its immediate legal fate, he believes it will provide a documented record for advocacy, reform, and future accountability.

As Cameroon edges toward yet another highly contested election, the petition and its ripple effects are expected to shape conversations about the credibility of national institutions and the resilience of democratic aspirations.