The South West Chiefs’ Conference (SWECC) has broken its silence on the contentious presidential election, issuing an appeal for peace and restraint amidst widespread allegations of electoral malpractice, which now face teeming anger and potential protests.
In a statement released on 17 October 2025, the traditional leaders vehemently condemned “acts of provocation” and called on the public to await the official proclamation of results with “maturity and calm.” This intervention comes after days of mounting tension, during which the chiefs had notably refrained from public comment while media and social media were flooded with reports and videos purporting to show systematic vote rigging.
The statement, signed by HRM Dr Mokube Ahmadou John, President of SWECC, praised the conduct of citizens during the campaign and voting period, urging them to “continue to exercise the same restraint and mutual respect for one another.”
“We are one, we all have the same aspirations; we should not let any considerations whatsoever pitch us against one another,” the chiefs asserted, adding, “Let PEACE reign in the South West Region, let us remain the example for others to copy from.”
The chiefs’ appeal is seen as a direct response to growing public anger and possible protests against alleged electoral fraud perpetrated by some politicians and election management officials. Rather than addressing the specific allegations of rigging that have dominated public discourse, the statement instead focuses on the consequences of protesting such acts.
In a carefully worded passage, the Conference condemned “any acts of provocation whatsoever the source,” a phrase that looks like it is aimed at both the state authorities and opposition supporters, but to most, they see it as directed at the opposition, even when dressed to look like a neutral stand. They also issued a pointed call to “all involved in the interpretation of texts,” a clear reference to the Constitutional Council which will ultimately adjudicate on any electoral challenges, to do so “solely in the interest of the Cameroonian Nation.”
