PLANOSCAM urges actors to ensure peace during October 12 electoral period.

The call was made by Dr Samuel Biroki, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of PLANOSCAM. He was speaking during a press conference organised in Yaounde, Wednesday, September 24.

In contextualising peace, the Board Chair described it as a precious asset in the daily life of human beings, be it in the family, community, professional milieu; national, regional or international level.

For which reason he admonished that peace is not something that is easily given to a group of people on a platter of gold, but requires enormous effort to negotiate, construct and consolidate. 

He stressed the importance of consistently striving to maintain peace, warning that many people who find themselves in a common polity are more inclined towards inciting violence than maintaining peace and peaceful coexistence. 

“Because the temptation to succumb to violence is ever present, citizens must collectively be willing to condemn injustices, inequalities, frustration, intimidation, tribalism, communitarianism, supremacism, violation of human rights, ideological or religious fanaticism, populism, racism, tribalism, identity withdrawal,” he said.

He equally warned Cameroonians to desist from creating a socio-political environment where the government will be forced to divert already lean resources to the purchase of weapons, and the financing of armies, instead of channeling the few available resources to development endeavours like improved education, better healthcare, upgrading infrastructure, and the improvement of citizens´ incomes and living standards.

Dr Biroki stressed that lasting peace cannot be achieved unless Cameroonians engage with determination, in continuous dialogue at every level, adding that only political stability and social justice can guarantee economic, social and all-round progress.

PLANOSCAM condemns uncivil acts

The Board Chair had during the ceremony condemned conduct that his organisation sees as not conducive to building peace, especially during volatile periods like election time. 

He called on political actors, citizens, defence and security forces, administrative, religious and traditional authorities, as well as the media and societal elite to refrain from any act, statement, or behaviour likely to incite violence, hatred, division, and stigmatization. 

He cited the violation of the constitution, going contrary to the electoral code and undermining other state laws, which he said are tendencies that create environment for violence and insecurity to gain grounds.

“We beg the institutions responsible for the electoral process, the Ministry of Territorial Administration, Elections Cameroon, and the Constitutional Council, to demonstrate unwavering impartiality, transparency, professionalism, and integrity from the outset until the proclamation of results,” the boss said.

Even more, he urged these authorities to create the enabling environment through which Cameroonians in the diaspora will exercise their right to vote in a calm, disciplined and in respect for the rights of others.

The PLANOSCAM board chair also called on all principal actors in the election process to refrain from disenfranchising women, youth, and other marginalized groups. 

Urging them to create favourable conditions for this category of citizens to exercise their civic duty during this period of elections at both national and at the level of decentralized collectivities.

In the event of electoral disputes, Dr Kiroki urged any aggrieved party to respect the rule of law by following legal avenues and be ready to accept the final ruling handed down by competent legal institutions.

He had also summoned the media to guard against fake news, misinformation and other manipulations by actors that are intended to confuse Cameroonians and create an unhealthy environment for peace to reign in the country.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3576 of Friday September 26, 2025