In a powerful and timely appeal, renowned human rights advocate and President of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA), Barrister Nkongho Felix Agbor Balla, has called on the three Anglophone presidential candidates to come together, sending a strong signal of unity ahead of the 2025 elections.
The prominent civic rights advocate, a former political detainee and prominent voice in the quest for justice and inclusive dialogue in Cameroon, issued a public statement titled "Agbor Balla Speaks" that has quickly gained traction nationwide. His message follows a notable meeting between veteran politicians Bello Bouba Maigari and Issa Tchiroma Bakary, two figures from Cameroon’s political establishment who met privately this week in what many interpret as a signal of potential reconciliation and political cooperation.
“Dialogue is possible,” says Balla
“Even if full agreement is not immediate,” Balla wrote, “the image of them sitting together, talking, listening, and exploring common ground would inspire millions and show that our leaders can rise above personal ambitions for the greater good.”
In his statement, Balla emphasized the importance of political optics how the mere act of meeting can shift national perception.
“Politics is not only about manifestos and speeches; it's about the messages you send through your actions,” he said. “When leaders meet, they show maturity. They give hope.”
A Call to Anglophone Presidential Candidates
His appeal was clearly directed at the Anglophone contenders vying for the presidency in a nation long fraught with regional tensions, particularly between the Anglophone minority and the Francophone-led government. Barrister Agbor Balla, a long-time advocate for the rights of English-speaking Cameroonians, has consistently called for non-violent solutions to the crisis in the Northwest and Southwest regions.
This latest statement is both a warning and a roadmap. “If Bello Bouba and Tchiroma can create this moment,” he wrote, “there is no reason our Anglophone candidates cannot. The people are watching. The stakes are too high for silence or distance.”
Unity as a Strategic Imperative
Observers note that with the 2025 elections approaching, the Anglophone candidates, despite their individual strengths, risk diluting their influence if they remain divided. Balla’s message underscores this political reality, suggesting that even a symbolic meeting could “shift the narrative from rivalry to possibility.”
“In politics, a meeting is more than just a meeting. It is a statement,” he emphasized.
The Power of Optics
Barrister Agbor Balla, who has long walked the line between activism and diplomacy, understands better than most the symbolic power of dialogue. As president of CHRDA, he has documented countless human rights abuses, but also consistently urged for peaceful, negotiated solutions.
His statement makes clear that Cameroon is at a critical juncture and that leaders will be remembered not just for what they say, but for whether they choose engagement over isolation.
“The time to act is now before the optics of disunity and division become the only story history remembers,” he concluded.
A Test of Leadership
Whether this appeal will prompt action from the Anglophone presidential hopefuls remains to be seen. But Balla’s message has already succeeded in reframing the debate: unity is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity. As the country watches, the next move lies not with the electorate, but with the leaders themselves.
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