'Rainy Season Not Helping Campaigns'

SDF Secretary General, Prof. Elizabeth Tamanjong sizes up election campaigns with Cameroon Tribune.

What is your role in the September 30 twin elections?

I am not a candidate but, it is my first role as the Secretary General of the SDF to oversee the daily management of the party. This time around, there is a focus on the September 30, twin elections whereby, I am on the field educating members of the SDF and the population on the electoral process, its mechanisms and the rights of the electorate. I am equally on the field, stressing the message of justice and peace before, during and after the elections. We are also mobilizing our members and Cameroonians to retrieve their voters cards from ELECAM offices and prepare to vote the SDF on September 30. Perhaps, I should say that I am available with solutions when ever in need by my party and the organizers of the elections. I mean ELECAM.

Could you summerize the SDF campaign message on the field and how would you size up the campaigns so far ?

This far, it has been smooth and our message stresses the need to vote SDF candidates for the parliamentary and municipal elections for the development of their constituencies and Cameroon. We are also asking Cameroonians to vote the SDF because our candidates are committed, credible and they were selected by the grassroots to serve them. They are true nation builders. Perhaps, I should say that the CPDM is not helping matters in the campaigns. I have been shocked to see the Prime Minister, Head of government leading campaigns in the North West, accompanied by troops . I think their approach is intimidating the population and at some point in Bamenda, his conspicuous convoy with Ministers in administrative cars almost pushed me down.

But, the Prime Minister is a militant of a political party with rights to belong

Yes. But remember that we are into local elections and not Presidential elections . That is why I am really disappointed at the attitude of my big brother, the Prime Minister going along with troops for campaigns in local elections .

Any special difficulties encountered by your party in the campaigns ?

The rainy season is not helping the campaigns. This is the wrong time for the elections. That apart, the ruling CPDM is occupying virtually all the airtime and space on CRTV. They monopolize everything and the SDF barely enjoys a flash. It is also unfortunate that five days into campaigns, there is still no franc in the SDF bank account for campaigns despite the government's big noise about campaign money for political parties.