Yesterday, October 19, 2023, the Yaounde Court of First Instance declared itself incompetent to nullify a decision made by the Social Democratic Front’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to exclude members of the said party. A total of 34 executives and activists had gone to court to demand the annulment of the exclusion decided last February. They were accused by the party's leadership of indiscipline for opposing several of the party's decisions, notably those of Vice-President Joshua Osih, who was also presented as the successor to Chairman Ni John FruNdi.

Before the courts, they also challenged the SDF leadership’s decision to hold an elective congress to choose a new president in July 2023. Courts also rejected that request. This time the Court of First Instance ruled that there was no admissible evidence. Indeed, SDF Cahirman Ni John FruNdi was expected to appear in court but, he died on June 12. 

With these court rulings, the party now has a clear path to organize its elective congress, scheduled for October 27, 28, and 29. Last weekend, the NEC held a meeting, chaired by Vice-President Joshua Osih, to organize this major event.  

With the court rulings, frontrunner Joshua Osih no longer has to worry about Jean Michel Nintcheu, who was his main party opponent. The two remaining executives running for the chairmanship are now Gordon Zama and JesterShewa.

L.A.