In a recent phone interview with SBBC, Robert Kona (photo) expressed his astonishment at accusations of collusion with the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), the current ruling party. Kona, who now identifies himself as the founding president of the Cameroonian Party for National Reconciliation (CPNR), confirmed his voluntary attendance at a CPDM rally in Garoua (Northern region) last weekend, alongside Mohamadou Bayero Fadil. Kona characterized the meeting as a “simple encounter” with the businessman, who is regarded as one of the ruling party’s leaders in the northern part of the country.

He firmly denies having joined the ruling party or endorsing the candidacy of President Paul Biya for the upcoming presidential election, slated for October 2025. This statement subtly addresses his former CPNR colleagues who remain loyal to Deputy Cabral Libii. The majority of them are convinced that Kona is now working in favor of the ruling party.

For several months, Kona has been outspoken about his intention to break away from the leadership of Cabral Libii, who was appointed president of the CPNR in May 2019. Kona challenges the legitimacy of this appointment, asserting it was not a congress as claimed by Libii’s faction. Meanwhile, Libii accuses Kona of being manipulated by the regime to dismantle the CPNR, which secured five seats in the National Assembly in February 2020. Regardless, this internal conflict continues to unsettle the CPNR as the next electoral deadlines loom.

Michel Ange Nga