Visionary Reports

With just two months remaining until Cameroon’s presidential election, the National Union of Independent Journalists (SYNAJIC) has called on media practitioners across the country to resist political manipulation and violence.

During a press conference in Douala on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, Alex Koko, the union’s national president, addressed the critical role of the media in the upcoming election.Koko emphasized the union’s commitment to upholding republican institutions and peace. He stated that SYNAJIC has initiated a national tour across the country’s ten regions with the primary goal of raising awareness among the political class to show restraint and preserve peace, a core value of the nation.He stressed the importance of maintaining peace and social cohesion before, during, and after the election. “We must turn away from the prophets of chaos whose only ambition is to see our beautiful country sink into the troubles experienced by others,” Koko said. While acknowledging the nation’s many challenges, he insisted they are not insurmountable and can be solved by working together, not by resorting to “programmed suicide.”SYNAJIC, acting as a “sentinel of peace and watchdog of democratization,” organized the press briefing to dissuade troublemakers. The union plans to escalate its communication efforts to promote a rigorous and impartial approach to covering the electoral process.However,the objectives of the national tour include:Encouraging citizens to fulfill their civic duty by voting,urging political actors to respect republican ideals, national unity, and social peace,affirming the public’s commitment to a new Cameroon on the path of economic emergence,sensitizing journalists and media professionals to act with restraint and impartiality,calling on all communicators to give rigorous, citizen-focused treatment of information related to the election,reinforcing SYNAJIC’s role as a platform for a citizen-centric press,reminding media professionals of their historical responsibility in shaping the nation’s destiny,establishing regional branches of SYNAJIC to localize these efforts.

Koko also announced that SYNAJIC is open to new members and has established a form for colleagues interested in joining. He highlighted the union’s mission to defend the rights of journalists and its members, and to foster solidarity and professional development. He mentioned SYNAJIC’s registration with the Ministry of Labor and Social Security and a supplementary pension insurance agreement for members with Activa Insurance.Nevertheless,concluding his remarks, Koko urged media professionals to return the courtesy shown by President Biya in convening the electoral body by respecting the constitution. He called on them to collectively sensitize the population against the “prophets of chaos” and to preserve peace, regardless of the election’s outcome. He specifically appealed to hosts of political debate programs on radio and television to be vigilant and prevent complications at the end of the electoral cycle.

By Henry Wana