Political Nomadism, Fractionalisation and Instability within Political Parties in Cameroon Since 1990

Abstract

The 1990s marked the reintroduction of political pluralism in Cameroon and like elsewhere in Africa, its main characteristic was instability within political parties, carpet-crossing, defections and party switching. This paper explores and analyses the reasons for these instability, defections and nomadism that have marred the democratic experience in Cameroon. The study relied largely on secondary data. The analysis of the data was descriptive. The study reveals that the carpet-crossings were many, varied and varying just like the causes identified. So far these defections greatly prevented the opposition alliances or parties to unseat the incumbent. It can therefore be concluded that one of the greatest drawbacks in Cameroon’s democracy has been the instability within political parties, political prostitutions and political nomadism. This contribution adds to the existing literature that blames the power of incumbency, corruption, election malpractices and the absence of a credible electoral law/system for the failure of democracy in Cameroon.