Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh, Senior Associate for Africa and Regional Director at the National Democratic Institute, has called for the creation of a "new Cameroon," arguing that comprehensive institutional reform has become essential to the country's future.
Speaking during a Project Cameroon (Project C) gathering on July 25, 2026,, under the theme "Working to Redefine Our Nation", Dr Fomunyoh said Cameroon could no longer rely on incremental reforms to resolve deep-rooted political and governance challenges.
Using the analogy of a house repeatedly repaired despite a failing foundation, he argued that the country's governance system suffers from structural weaknesses that cannot be addressed through piecemeal solutions.
Dr. Fomunyoh said the disputed outcome of the 2025 presidential election reflected a broader crisis of public confidence in state institutions, raising concerns about political legitimacy, representation, and accountability.
He also highlighted the human cost of Cameroon’s decade-long socio-political crisis, citing thousands of deaths, widespread displacement, and the destruction of communities, with many families continuing to face disrupted livelihoods and education.
Rather than dismantling existing institutions, Dr. Fomunyoh advocated rebuilding the country's national framework through an inclusive, citizen-led dialogue that would allow Cameroonians to shape constitutional and democratic reforms.
He argued that Cameroon possesses the expertise needed for such a process, pointing to professionals, civil society leaders, and members of the diaspora capable of contributing to national renewal. The challenge, he said, lies in creating an inclusive platform that brings those voices together.
Reflecting on Cameroon’s constitutional history, Dr. Fomunyoh said previous political reforms had largely been introduced from the top down, leaving unresolved debates over governance, decentralization, representation, and national identity.
He called for stronger democratic institutions, effective checks and balances, respect for constitutional norms, and transparent governance, adding that lasting reform would require broad public participation rather than decisions imposed by political leaders.
Concluding his address, Dr. Fomunyoh said the question was no longer whether a new Cameroon was possible, but whether the country could afford to maintain the status quo, insisting that meaningful institutional renewal had become indispensable.
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