About the Social Democratic Front
The Social Democratic Front (SDF) is the leading opposition political party in Cameroon. The SDF was formed in 1990 to challenge the one-party dictatorship of the ultra-conservative moribund Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM) that has ruled Cameroon since independence. The plans to form the SDF were formalised in 1989 when the then Study Group 89, a think-tank on the issues of marginalisation of the anglophone minority was transformed into a non-sectarian political party. Since the launching of the Party on May 26, 1990, a launching that was marred by the shooting death of six unarmed civilians by state police, the SDF has led a relentless non-violent crusade to usher in democracy, respect for human rights and social justice in Cameroon. The Party now has 22 Members of Parliament and runs a number of Local Councils. The SDF Candidate Ni John Fru Ndi, is largely believed to have won the presidential elections in Cameroon in October 1992, but the incumbent, Mr. Paul Biya confiscated the victory at gun point. The SDF has its headquarters in the North West Provincial capital, Bamenda. In accordance with its Manifesto and Constitution of 1990, the SDF pledges to:
- Uphold true national unity as the most approriate political environment for real development;
- Mobilise Cameroonians to establish a just, free and democratic society in which the elderly, the disabled, the retired, men, women, the youth and the unemployed can live in dignity;
- Promote the official bilingual and multi-cultural character of Cameroon;
- Promote the political cohesion of the Cameroon society as a means of securing the basic needs for all the people, regardless of sectional, tribal, religious, social and linguistic interests;
- Uphold human dignity and the right to pursue lawfully and freely, ends which maximise and sustain individual and group happiness;
- Guarantee workers' rights to collective bargaining for decent working conditions and wages;
- Adopt policies of free market economy and the private ownership and disposal of property;
- Promote commerce, equal opportunities and eliminate poverty; undertakes to develop, protect and preserve Cameroon's natural resources and the environment;
- Guarantee freedom under the law and the respect for the individual's fundamental human rights;
- Abolish all forms of oppression and suppression;
- Adopt participatory democracy and government as the best means of getting every citizen involved in the political process;pledges to advance education, science, industry, arts and the humanities;
- Guarantee the freedom of association and a multiparty system;
- Pursue a policy of winning power through elections;
- Uphold its belief the sovereignty of the people, self-determination and independence;
- Promote international peace and co-operation in accordance with international law and practice;
- Guarantee the separation of powers, the rule of law and in the equality of all citizens before the law.
The SDF has published a number of policy proposals which details its vision for Cameroon for the 21st century. The following is an imcomplete list of its major publications:
- Manifesto of the Social Democratic Front (1990)
- Draft Electoral Code for Cameroon (1991)
- Devolution of Powers (1991)
- Policy Statements (1992, 1993, 1996, 1999, 2001)
- A Draft Constitution for Cameroon (1995)
- Programme for Local Councils (1995)
- The National Economic Salvation Programme (NESPROG) (1996)
- Social Welfare and the Cameroon Woman (1999)
- Policy on Education (1999)
- Policy on the Improvement of Rural Areas (1999)
- Policy on Foreign Affairs (1999)
- Policy on Culture, Museums and Libraries (1999)
- Policy on Health and Population Issues (1999)
The SDF is organised at the National level thus: the National Convention, the National Executive Committee (NEC), the National Advisory Council, and NEC Policy Committees on Constitutional & Political Affairs, Finance and Economic Affairs, External Relations, Social & Cultural Affairs, Rural Development & the Environment and the Councils Commission. At the Local level: Provincial, District (Constituency), and Ward Conferences and Executive Committees and Divisional Coordinations. The SDF already has representation in Africa (Nigeria, Tchad, South Africa, Congo) Europe (France, UK, Austria, Germany, Belgium, Italy) and North America (USA, Canada) and efforts are underway to to establish representation in many other parts of the world. The most senior officials of the party include: Ni John Fru Ndi (National Chairman and Chair of the Advisory Council), Dr. Elizabeth Tamanjong (Secretary General), Barrister Augustin Mbami (Treasurer General), Hon. Joseph Mbah-Ndam (SDF Parliamentary Group Leader), Hon. Kwemo Pierre (Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly), Hon. Awudu Mbaya, (Secretary, National Assembly), Hon. Dr Bandzem Jospeh Lukong, (Deputy Parliamentary Group Leader), Hon. Dr Ngetcham, (Parliamentary Group Secretary), and Hon. Yoyo Emmanuel, (Questor of the National Assembly). There are altogether 55 members of the NEC elected at the National Convention by a secret ballot on the basis of one-member-one vote.
The SDF holds out the prospect of true democracy and a bright and humane future for Cameroon. The SDF is determined to reverse the presently unwholesome situation in which Cameroon finds itself economically, politically and socially by ushering in a democratic society. This is expressed in its slogan "Power to the People." Most of the party's policy proposals have been commended by independent experts to be technically and practically excellent. SDF is a social democratic party and member of the Socialist International. The Socialist International is an association of centre-left organisations with a membership of 143 centre-left parties and organisations based in London. The Socialist International has a Consultative Status Category I with the United Nations. For further details about the SDF, see the 'Aspects of the History of the SDF' as well as the various documents listed above.
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