October 12 presidential poll: Sawa Chiefs reaffirm support for Biya

On Wednesday, August 6, 2025, over 30 traditional authorities from the Southern, Coastal, and South West regions of Cameroon paid a courtesy visit to Minister of State Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, Secretary-General of the Presidency. 

During the meeting, they reaffirmed their support for President Paul Biya's re-election bid, describing him as the "best guarantor of peace and development". 

This endorsement is widely seen as a strategic move to bolster the president's campaign, especially following Maurice Kamto's exclusion from the race. 

The chiefs' decision has sparked debate, with some viewing it as a genuine show of support and others seeing it as a well-rehearsed political ritual. Critics argue that traditional leaders should maintain their neutrality and not be swayed by political influence. 

The move has also drawn attention to the role of traditional leaders in Cameroon's politics, with some questioning their ability to represent their communities' interests. 

Traditional chiefs, highly respected figures in their communities, have long occupied an ambiguous space in Cameroon's political landscape. Officially apolitical, they are nonetheless frequently courted and at times co-opted during election periods. 

This latest show of allegiance to the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) appears to follow a familiar pattern in which customary elites publicly align themselves with those in power. Behind these declarations of support lies the deeper question of genuine representation. 

Speaking to KNews, an anonymous Limbe elite said “Do these chiefs speak on behalf of their communities, or are they expressing personal or strategic allegiance to a centralised and enduring political establishment”.

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Cross section of Sawa Chiefs at the event