Ahead of twin polls: Legal adviser says SDF supporters increasingly targeted.

The lawyer stated that “…we continue to receive reports of intimidation, harassment, arbitrary arrests, unlawful detention, and false accusations directed against SDF supporters, elected officials, and local leaders”.

He decried that the situation is worst in the crisis-hit North West and South West Regions, wherein SDF supporters are increasingly tagged as separatists.

The legal adviser indicated that: “Even more alarming is the fact that many of these incidents appear to target active SDF supporters, who are engaged in lawful political mobilisation and preparation for upcoming elections”.

Ndangoh averred that the threats and intimidation are creating fear, uncertainty and diminishes legitimate political participation. 

He was firm that the situation also “…undermines public confidence in democratic institutions”.

He was categorical that the crisis in the English-speaking Regions show the administrative units require special attention.

Ndangoh argued that the situation should not be used “…as a pretext to victimise innocent citizens, suppress opposition voices, or criminalize lawful political activities”.

The lawyer warned that “any attempt to exploit the security situation for partisan political purposes constitutes a dangerous assault on democracy and the constitutional order”.

“….rather than facilitating a level political play field, some officials are accused of using their positions to intimidate, discourage, and suppress legitimate political activities by members of opposition parties, particularly the SDF,” Ndangoh asserted.

He denounced what he termed “…intimidation, harassment, arbitrary arrests, unlawful detention, and politically motivated persecution, directed against SDF and opposition supporters, and political leaders anywhere in Cameroon”.

He qualified branding SDF supporters as separatists as reckless and irresponsible moves. Administrative and security officials, he enthused, must stop “…the profiling, victimisation, and persecution of SDF supporters under the guise of maintaining public order and security”.

Evidence, legality, and respect for human rights, the SDF official stated, must guide moves aimed at enforcing law and order. 

The Constitutional rights of citizens, including that to belong to a political party, he said, must be respected.

He charged authorities to ensure administrative and security officials stay impartial in the discharge of their duties. 

Ndangoh called for the immediate and unconditional release of “…any person(s) who may have been arbitrarily arrested or detained solely because of their political affiliation or peaceful political activities”.

Going by the SDF official, putting opposition supporters in a difficult situation poses “a serious threat to the credibility of the forthcoming municipal and parliamentary elections”.

The SDF, he said, will remain a vital political force in the country, attached, “…to peaceful democratic participation, national unity, constructive dialogue, justice, and the defense of fundamental human rights and freedoms”.

Machinations, no matter how they come, he said, would not stop the SDF and its supporters from exercising their political rights. 

“I encourage all SDF supporters across the country to remain calm, law-abiding, peaceful, and steadfast in their commitment to the ideals and values of the party,” he stated.

In the face of “provocation”, Ndangoh said, the response “must always be guided by respect for the law, democratic principles, and the pursuit of justice.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3835 of Thursday July 02, 2026