The desire was echoed in Bamenda on January 28 by the party’s Socialist Women group. The Socialist Women, the women’s wing  of the main opposition party in Cameroon, the Social Democratic Front (SDF) has frowned at the non-respect of the 30 per cent quota allotted them by the party. The women voiced their disappointment in Bamenda on January 28 through their Coordinator for the North West, Mrs Cecilia Songwe, as they extended to their National Chairman, Ni John Fru Ndi, best wishes for 2012.

In her keynote address, Mrs Songwe noted that women in the party have come of age as mature and qualified politicians. They have able leaders who can serve the party efficiently but the problem is how to get to the top, hemmed in as they are from every angle, she said. Mrs Songwe however praised the National Chairman for his attention to problems faced by women in the party and equally thanked the party for allotting 30 per cent of positions to women, which, unfortunately, is not respected. The close-to-500 Socialist women from the North-West, West and Adamawa Regions, lauded the investiture committee’s job but suggested that the body should screen candidates before they go in for elections. “This will go a long way to cleansing the party of in-fighting,” Mrs Songwe stressed. The women however promised to ensure that the party succeeds at their level. “The women have declared the up-coming twin elections as already won,” they declared.

In response, SDF Chair, Ni John Fru Ndi challenged the Socialist Women of the party to be strong and take criticisms as stepping stones. He promised to support women in all political spheres and wished to see them control more Councils, serve as councillors and make their way into the National Assembly. He said he will stand by them during efforts to come out with candidates and promised his support for diligent women vying for posts and working according to the party.