A partnership convention was signed on 9 June 2025, in Yaounde, between Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) and the United Nations system following a careful consideration. Although technical and administrative, this convention marks a turning point in the manner elections will be henceforth prepared and assisted in Cameroon right up to the year 2027. Given that this technical assistance partnership to the 2025–2027 electoral cycle has given rise to sharp criticism in conventional and social media, some clarifications need to be made in the light of facts, law and historical context.
A convention solicited, judiciously prepared, and then signed in absolute institutional transparency
Contrary to certain interpretations, this partnership is neither a spur-of-the-moment nor compulsory act. It is rather the outcome of a lengthy and planned process. Back in May 2024, within the framework of its legal missions for preparing elections, ELECAM formally solicited technical assistance from the United Nations. The goal was quite clear: boost transparency, improve inclusiveness and build confidence among citizens in the integrity of election processes.
This request was followed by a fact-finding mission deployed to Cameroon by the UN Secretary General from 1 to 12 July 2024. in the course of this mission, all stakeholders, notably State institutions, political parties, the administration, civil society, election observers, media were consulted. On this basis, a thorough analysis was made to serve as foundation for the technical assistance convention.
What the law stipulates: political parties are part and parcel of the electoral process
Sections 52 to 68 of the Cameroon Electoral Code provides for the inclusion of political parties in all phases of the electoral process. Joint electoral commissions, at local as well as national level, are composed of representatives of every candidate or list of candidates, alongside representatives of the administration and of ELECAM. Likewise, Section 11-2 compels the Electoral Board to hold consultations with the administration, the judiciary, political parties and civil society for the purpose of ensuring a collective and peaceful management of polls.
It is against this backdrop that the last national platform for permanent consultation between ELECAM and other stakeholders of the electoral process held in November 2024 at the Mont Febe Hotel in Yaounde. In this regard, formal invitations were distributed, access granted to all. But joining the bandwagon remained free. Exclusion, here, depended more on the freewill of every stakeholder than on obstruction.
The UN, a historic actor in democratic assistance across Africa
As far back as the 90s, the United Nations system has been playing a critical role in supporting electoral processes worldwide, Africa in particular, covering more than 100 countries, within more than 40 found in sub-Saharan Africa, where the UN has provided technical, logistic or institutional support to national election management bodies. The UN’s electoral expertise is renown from Liberia to DRC, from Burkina Faso to Madagascar for its impartiality, stringent methodology and scrupulous observance of national sovereignty.
Instead of organising elections in lieu of member states, the UN accompanies, trains staff, consolidates and stabilise electoral processes. The Department for Political Affairs and Consolidation of Peace (DPO) and the United Nations Programme for Development (UNDP), forerunners of such assistance, acts at the explicit behest of governments. In this respect, Cameroon, an active member state of the UN, is not an exception to the rule.
A long-standing partnership, in strict respect of the sovereignty of our country
This is not the first time that Cameroon is collaborating with the United Nations in electoral matters. In 2011 and 2018, the UNDP provided assistance to civic education and training programmes. The UN is a time-honoured partner in sensitive fields like local governance, human rights, justice, or even consolidation of peace in crisis-hit regions.
This new partnership does not in any way modify the legal framework in force or the missions of ELECAM. Its sole objective is to consolidate the existing instruments: a more effective training of election agents, targeted logistic support, inclusion of under-represented groups (women, youths, persons with a disability), and improvement of institutional communication. UN-Women, UNESCO, UNCHR, IOM, UNFPA…are some of the agencies involved in this multi-dimensional project.
Our responsibility to all is to satisfy ethical requirements and patriotic duty
At this phase in the electoral process, each stakeholder, notably ELECAM, administration, political parties, civil society, media, citizens must consider the role they intend to play to promote peace, democracy and stability in the country.
The contemporary history of Cameroon, just like that of a good number of countries in the sub-region, has shown that election periods are high-risk moments. Political tension is compounded by informational vulnerability. In a world plagued by rumours, fake news, and hate speech, any false interpretation or malicious remarks can cast doubt, undermine social cohesion and compromise peace.
Democracy is dependent on a collective responsibility pact. No organ, irrespective of its might, can singlehandedly guarantee credible elections, for it is the compilation of individual and collective commitments to comply with laws, listen before condemning, dialogue rather than denounce that allows institutions to function and results to reflect the will of masses.
It is paramount for political leaders to be abreast with their pedagogic role, for media to strengthen their ethical rigour, for civil society to participate without replacing, and for electors to be informed, not manipulated. Civic education, democratic patience, and debate culture constitute pillars of any modern Republic.
A technical convention, a political stake, a collective opportunity
The partnership between ELECAM and the United Nations is not a ploy. It is a springboard to consolidate the electoral process which, more than ever before, deserves the confidence of Cameroonians. The elections in 2025, and of the subsequent years, will be decisive in the future of our democracy. For that reason, it is the duty of all to live up to task for posterity.
Electoral assistance is not a sign of weakness: it is a sign of institutional maturity and the will to progress. Through ELECAM, Cameroon is sending out a strong and clear message to the international community: the institution has opted to consolidate democracy and not mistrust, but through the cooperation, inclusion of each and every one and transparency.© DCRP/FACT-CHECKING/ELECAM – Reproduction authorised on condition that reference is made to the source.
