Cameroon's MINAT decision sparks controversy within MRC opposition party

The Cameroon Ministry of Territorial Administration (MINAT) has sparked controversy following its refusal to ‘take note’ of an extraordinary convention held by the Movement for the Republic (MRC) in December 2025. The decision by Minister Paul Atanga Nji has been interpreted by various factions as a political maneuver.

MRC activist Aïssatou Bouba Diallo has accused the ruling regime of attempting to ‘domesticate’ and neutralize the opposition through administrative tactics. She specifically criticized the continued recognition of Okala Ebode—who was reportedly expelled from the party in November 2025—within the party's leadership structures, suggesting this is an attempt by the Biya regime to infiltrate and weaken the MRC.

Legal analysis suggests that under existing laws regarding political parties, MINAT may lack the jurisdiction to validate or invalidate internal party conventions, particularly those held via videoconference. The ministry's ambiguous stance has created political tension between the MRC leadership and party dissidents ahead of upcoming judicial deliberations in Ekounou.