Joshua Osih jubilant over being shortlisted than genuine opposition solidarity.
By The Independentist Editorial desk
27 July 2025
In politics, moments of silence can speak louder than speeches—and timing can define a legacy. Unfortunately, Honourable Joshua Osih appears to have misread both.
In the immediate aftermath of Professor Maurice Kamto’s exclusion from the 2025 presidential race—a decision that many view as the final nail in the coffin of Cameroon’s democratic pretense—Mr Osih chose celebration over reflection. His public statement, seemingly jubilant over being shortlisted among regime-approved candidates, was tone-deaf and deeply unsettling to those who believe in genuine opposition unity.
Let us be clear: this is not about questioning Osih’s right to pursue elected office. It is about leadership—true leadership—which demands moral clarity, political courage, and a sense of timing. His statement, devoid of any mention of Kamto’s disqualification or the broader democratic crisis unfolding in the country, has left many Cameroonians with the impression that he is more concerned with personal advancement than with justice or solidarity.
Professor Kamto is no minor figure. His political clout and national following are undeniable. Any attempt to isolate or silence him—especially through undemocratic means—should be a cause for alarm to all serious opposition figures. Instead of expressing outrage or even cautious concern, Osih’s reaction seemed to validate the regime’s selective approval process.
This was a critical moment. A moment that required statesmanship, not self-congratulation.
By failing to speak out, Osih missed a rare opportunity to rise above partisan interest and stand with fellow reformers in defense of democratic principles. Worse, his reaction risks deepening the fracture within Cameroon’s opposition, further enabling a regime that thrives on division and suppression.
To his credit, Joshua Osih has maintained a presence in the political arena under difficult conditions. He has earned respect as a consistent voice within the Social Democratic Front (SDF). But consistency is not enough. In this moment, what the nation needed was conviction.
A wiser approach would have been to temper his announcement with a strong call for transparency, inclusion, and justice—acknowledging the exclusion of Professor Kamto as a shared blow to all democratic forces, not a personal victory.
Instead, Osih’s premature celebration has sent a troubling message: that he is willing to participate in a charade of elections while others are silenced and sidelined.
And this is precisely why Joshua Osih has no clue about the real issues facing Ambazonia. He should never presume to speak for our people or campaign in our homeland. What he must do is listen—to the voice of Ambazonia, and to leaders like President Dr. Samuel Ikome Sako, who have paid the price of resistance and who understand the stakes of our struggle.
Cameroon is at a crossroads. The people are watching—not just Paul Biya, but every politician who claims to speak in their name. They will remember who stood up when it mattered, and who mistook ambition for leadership.
The Independentist
Clarity over confusion. Justice over opportunism. The voice of the people over the noise of politics.
Long live justice. Long live unity. Long live the Republic of Ambazonia.
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