by Amos Muang Nsah
As Cameroon approaches the 2025 presidential election, a fresh political vision has emerged from candidate Shewa David Damuel, an entrepreneur from Akwaja-Berabe in the North-West Region. Damuel has formally declared his candidacy for the nation’s highest office, presenting a bold and transformative agenda centered on federalism, national unity, and socio-economic development.
At the heart of Damuel’s platform is a call for a complete overhaul of Cameroon’s political structure. He advocates for a two-state federation comprising 17 federated entities—five from Southern Cameroon and twelve from French Cameroon. His proposed national flag would feature two prominent golden stars and 17 smaller stars on a red background, symbolizing unity and regional representation.
Damuel envisions a restructured executive branch led by two Prime Ministers: one serving as Head of Government and Vice President, overseeing general leadership, and the other focused on managing the execution of public investment projects.
A key part of his proposal includes abolishing the Senate, which he criticizes as a costly institution with limited impact. He suggests redirecting these resources toward agricultural loans for young Cameroonians. To improve grassroots representation, he proposes expanding the National Assembly to 360 members, ensuring all subdivisions have a voice in parliament.
On the economic front, Damuel seeks to transform Cameroon into a regional economic hub, drawing inspiration from Cotonou. He proposes lowering customs duties on imported vehicles to boost trade and revenue. His infrastructure plans include operationalizing the Limbe seaport within six months and constructing the Mechum hydroelectric dam within ten months to address the country’s energy needs. Furthermore, he aims to liberalize the fuel and lubricants market, significantly reducing prices to lower transportation costs and improve living standards.
Socially, his agenda targets the reduction of prices for basic goods such as cement, beer, and juice, alongside salary increases across sectors. He advocates tax exemptions for small traders and motorcycle riders, and plans to invite international companies to invest in Cameroon with zero tax incentives, aiming to boost employment and industrial growth.
In the sports sector, Damuel calls for a depoliticized environment to nurture football development. He proposes dissolving FECAFOOT, replacing it with an autonomous and apolitical football federation, ensuring players receive timely payments. He also promotes inter-village and regional competitions to discover and develop local talent.
A central theme of his campaign is national reconciliation and peacebuilding. He emphasizes forgiveness, unity, and the rejection of tribalism as essential pillars for a stronger Cameroon. His leadership vision is anchored on development, unity, and economic empowerment, with the overarching goal of transforming Cameroon into a prosperous, peaceful, and inclusive nation.
As the 2025 elections draw near, Cameroonians will closely examine whether Damuel’s ambitious federalist and developmental proposals resonate with a populace yearning for genuine change and national cohesion.