As the 2025 presidential election approaches, veteran journalist Eric Chinje’s powerful endorsement of Barrister Akere Muna serves as a clarion call for all Cameroonians to actively engage in the democratic process, reject complacency, and envision a future where their nation can reclaim its rightful place as a leader on the African continent.
Chinje delivered a passionate address that resonated with both urgency and hope. He publicly endorsed Barrister Akere Muna as the single candidate representing a coalition of opposition parties for the upcoming 2025 presidential election in Cameroon. Speaking in English, Chinje, who has lived in the United States for the past 30 years, emphasized the critical need for change in a country he believes is rich in potential but hampered by mediocrity.
“It is a great privilege to be here today,” Chinje stated, acknowledging the significance of the moment. Reflecting on his extensive travels across Africa during his tenure as the communication lead for the World Bank, he revealed a stark contrast between other African nations and Cameroon. “I refuse to accept the fact that the least developed capital of the continent today is Yaoundé,” he declared, highlighting the dire state of infrastructure and public services. “Since I got here, I have been unable to drive two meters without hitting a pothole. This is inadmissible.”
Chinje’s critique extended to the leadership of President Paul Biya, who has been in power for 42 years. “Wake up! Wake up! Do not accept mediocrity. Do not let this country remain among the least developed on the continent,” he urged. Expressing deep concern over the country’s healthcare system, he shared a personal tragedy: “I came here to bury my twin sister, who died due to a lack of proper medical care. A country that does not take care of the health of its citizens does not deserve their trust.”
The journalist’s endorsement of Muna was rooted in his belief in the barrister’s capability and dedication to genuine change. “Support him because he is a man who has proven what he is capable of, not just in Cameroon but across the continent,” Chinje urged, dismissing any notion of supporting Muna solely based on his Anglophone background or his exposure of corruption involving companies like Glencore. “There are very few, if any, Cameroonians who have won elections abroad without government interference,” Chinje added.
His words were tinged with nostalgia and frustration as he reflected on the country’s past. “When I left this country to study in the US, I was among the best. All of us Cameroonians were among the best. People were amazed! Where has the quality of our education gone? Where is the healthcare? Where are the roads?” His questions echoed the disillusionment felt by many citizens after years of stagnation and impunity.
Chinje painted a grim picture of the current state of youth employment, lamenting that many young Cameroonians have resorted to riding motorbikes for survival. “We have miners and doctors who struggle to make ends meet in a country as resource-rich as Cameroon,” he said, underscoring the paradox of a nation abundant in natural wealth yet unable to provide for its people.
Chinje’s endorsement comes at a pivotal moment, as Cameroon stands at a crossroads. For the crowd of supporters from the PAP, UPC, and Univers parties who turned out at the event in Yaoundé, there is a growing sense of hope for a break from the status quo, with the opposition rallying behind Muna as a beacon of change.