MINAT: Célestin Bedzigui Condemns FSNC Suspension as Illegal

• The Front du Salut National du Cameroun (FSNC) has been suspended for three months by the Minister of Territorial Administration (MINAT).
• Célestin Bedzigui, president of the Parti de l’Alliance Libérale (PAL), condemned the suspension as an "illegal decree" and a "grave crime against democracy."
• MINAT accused the FSNC of incitement to violence, calls for insurrection, undermining national unity, and disturbing public order after the October 12, 2025 presidential election.
• Bedzigui called on President Paul Biya to intervene and order MINAT to withdraw the decision, warning it could tarnish Biya's democratic legacy.
• Several other political party leaders have also denounced the suspension of the FSNC.

He articulated that a presidential directive to withdraw the "illegal decree" would serve as compelling evidence that "the Republic is stronger than the authoritarian reflexes of a desperate administration."

The Front du Salut National du Cameroun (FSNC), a political party led by Issa Tchiroma Bakary, has been subjected to a three-month suspension. This measure was enacted by the Minister of Territorial Administration (MINAT), Paul Atanga Nji, prompting immediate and strong condemnation from various political figures.

Among the most vocal critics is Sa Majesté Célestin Bedzigui, who serves as the president of the Parti de l’Alliance Libérale (PAL). Bedzigui publicly deplored the suspension of the FSNC by MINAT and directly called upon Minister Nji to retract the decision, labeling it as an "illegal decree." This move has ignited a significant debate within Cameroon's political landscape regarding the scope of administrative power.

The Ministry of Territorial Administration justified its decision to implement the Front du Salut National du Cameroun suspension by citing several serious accusations against the party. MINAT alleges that the FSNC engaged in incitement to violence, issued calls for insurrection, undermined national unity, and caused severe disturbances to public order. These alleged infractions reportedly took place following the presidential election held on October 12, 2025.

Célestin Bedzigui, however, strongly refutes the legitimacy of MINAT's action. He characterized the MINAT suspension of the political party in Cameroon not merely as a routine administrative decision or an unfortunate incident, but rather as a "grave crime against democracy." Bedzigui further described it as "an act establishing an assumed authoritarian regression, an admission of failure, and a historical turning point" whose ramifications, he believes, will extend far beyond the announced three-month period. He explicitly urged Minister Paul Atanga Nji to withdraw his "illegal decree."

In response to what he perceives as an egregious overreach, Célestin Bedzigui has made a direct appeal to President Paul Biya regarding the MINAT's action. Bedzigui implored the Head of State to intervene and instruct MINAT to reverse its decision, arguing that the continued interdiction of the FSNC could "forever tarnish the legacy of the Biya years" in the realm of democracy. He stressed that there is still an opportunity to reconsider, framing such a reversal as an "act of greatness."

He articulated that a presidential directive to withdraw the "illegal decree" would serve as compelling evidence that "the Republic is stronger than the authoritarian reflexes of a desperate administration." This sentiment has resonated with other political leaders across the country, as several have also publicly denounced the suspension of the FSNC, underscoring a widespread concern about the implications for democratic governance and freedom of association in Cameroon.

Lawyers advising political entities or civil society organizations in Cameroon should closely monitor the legal arguments and potential judicial challenges against the MINAT's suspension of the FSNC. This case could establish important precedents regarding the scope of administrative power to suspend political parties, the legal grounds for such actions, and the avenues for challenging alleged illegal government decrees affecting fundamental rights like freedom of association.

Source: Original reporting via Actu Cameroun.