Cameroonian jurist Stéphane Edzigui has voiced serious concerns regarding the current governance of football in Cameroon, pointing to practices he considers deviant and a growing disregard for the authority of the state. In a recent statement, he highlighted the growing influence of certain networks and the risks of favoritism which, he believes, threaten the integrity of the electoral process and the institutional balance of the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT).
Edzigui notably emphasized the existence of a "very powerful lobby" seeking to impose itself in Cameroonian football. He insisted on the importance of respecting the texts and legal procedures, recalling that compliance with established rules is essential to guarantee the transparency and fairness of competitions and elections within FECAFOOT.
The analyst also warned against the lack of respect for the authority of the state, a situation he considers a serious attack on the legal order. He cited the example of claims that the FECAFOOT General Assembly is superior to the Minister of Sports, stressing that such statements weaken the legal framework and call into question the prerogatives of the state in supervising football.
Furthermore, Edzigui raised concerns regarding risks of family favoritism within the General Assembly, mentioning the presence of several members directly linked to the president of FECAFOOT. He believes that these family ties raise questions about the regularity of the elections and could distort the electoral process provided for by the texts in force, in particular the statutes of July 13, 2021, approved by the Ministry of Sports, the National Olympic Committee and FECAFOOT.
Finally, the jurist recalled the importance of article 7 of the 2018 law, which stipulates that any modified text must be sent to the Ministry of Sports for confirmation of conformity before entering into force. He insisted that ignoring this procedure constitutes a challenge to the state and established rules, stressing the need to respect both the texts and the authority of the state to guarantee transparent and fair football in Cameroon.
The concerns expressed by Stéphane Edzigui revive the debate on the governance of Cameroonian football and the need to strengthen transparency and institutional balance within FECAFOOT. Respect for rules and legal procedures appears to be a crucial issue to ensure the integrity of football and protect the interests of all stakeholders.
Edzigui's statement highlights potential tensions between FECAFOOT and state authorities, underscoring the importance of constructive collaboration to ensure sound and transparent management of football in Cameroon.
