The Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) has officially launched the candidature process for the election of presidents, vice-presidents, and delegates of the country’s departmental football leagues. The announcement, made public on August 21, 2025, by Henri Noël Moukouri Missipo, President of the Electoral Commission, invites interested candidates to submit their applications no later than August 23, 2025, with an additional grace period until August 26, 2025, for corrections or missing documents.
FECAFOOT Circular.According to the communiqué, eligibility is restricted to Cameroonian citizens aged between 21 and 70, who have no criminal convictions or recent disciplinary sanctions, and who can demonstrate active involvement in football as players, coaches, referees, club officials, or sports journalists. Applications must include personal declarations, letters of endorsement, a sports curriculum vitae, proof of identity, and an integrity questionnaire provided by FECAFOOT.
FECAFOOT Circular (Second Part)However, the move to open the electoral process has immediately drawn scrutiny from the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education (MINSEP). In a separate correspondence signed on the same day, August 21, 2025, MINSEP Secretary General Joseph Yerima, on behalf of the Minister, raised serious concerns over the credibility and legality of the process.
Circular From Ministry of Sports (First Part).The Ministry noted that FECAFOOT had launched the elections without first consulting its supervisory authority, as has traditionally been the case with national sports federations. It also stressed that the new statutes adopted at the federation’s General Assembly of November 2024 had not been subjected to the mandatory conformity review required by Cameroonian law. As a result, the Ministry maintains that the consensual statutes agreed upon with FIFA, CAF, and national stakeholders in July 2021 remain the only valid legal framework.
Circular From Ministry of Sports (Second Part).Beyond legal compliance, MINSEP relayed multiple complaints from football stakeholders alleging irregularities and attempts to manipulate the process.
Among the issues cited were arbitrary suspensions of potential candidates, replacement of elected bureau members with provisional management committees loyal to the current executive, and the integration of newly created clubs to influence the electoral college.
Reports also highlight the exclusion of several clubs across the East, North, Adamaoua, West, and South-West regions despite their fulfillment of licensing requirements, as well as the sidelining of referees who had voiced grievances.
The Ministry warned that the ongoing disputes risk undermining not only the integrity of the elections but also public order within the sporting community, especially in a politically sensitive year when Cameroon is preparing for a presidential election. It urged FECAFOOT to resolve all irregularities, respect existing laws and international regulations, and ensure a transparent and inclusive electoral process.
As the clock ticks toward the August 26, 2025, deadline for submissions, all eyes are now on FECAFOOT’s leadership and its ability to navigate between fulfilling its electoral calendar and addressing mounting calls for credibility and fairness.
Comments
Post a Comment