(Right) Jean Marcellin Manga during the presentation
The Merian Institute for Advanced Studies in Africa (MIASA) at the University of Ghana has held its inaugural public lecture, shedding light on the complex political landscape in Cameroon.
The lecture, titled "The People's 'Calls' and 'Counter-calls' For Paul Biya's Candidature: Pre-election Confrontation, Hegemonic Tensions, and the Struggle for Political Change in Cameroon," was delivered by Jean Marcellin Manga, a prominent political scientist from the University of Yaoundé II in Cameroon.
Dr. Susan Baller, Director of MIASA-Germany, warmly welcomed the attendees, whiles stating that MIASA, as a leading research institute, remains committed to fostering critical dialogue and academic exploration that can shape the future of Africa and its communities.
In his presentation, Jean Marcellin Manga delved into the intricacies of the "calls" and "counter-calls" for the candidacy of incumbent President Paul Biya. He posited that these calls represent the intricate web of political alliances formed through clientelist negotiations employed by political leaders to maintain their hegemonic positions.
A cross-section of participants at the Lecture
Manga emphasized that the counter-calls shed light on the strategies employed by Biya's rivals to undermine the longstanding symbolism associated with his candidacy, which has persisted for over three decades.
Jean Marcellin Manga, proposed an original perspective for studying the conflicting and contradictory dynamics within Cameroon's political sphere by focusing on the mobilization techniques employed during the pre-electoral period rather than on the short-term electoral operations.
Following the enlightening presentation, an engaging conversation ensued among the attendees to further explore the topic. Expressing her gratitude, Dr. Susan Baller extended her appreciation to Jean Marcellin Manga for his presence and insightful contributions to the lecture.
The public lecture organized by MIASA aims to address current topics of national and international interest, with the intention of influencing policy choices across various sectors, particularly within the African community.
This lecture provided a platform for understanding the intricate political landscape of Cameroon, contributing to the ongoing discourse surrounding political change and the upcoming elections in the country.
