State Fragility and Power Alternation in the Central African Region: The Case of Cameroon.

The Central African region is replete with instances of fragility and vulnerabilities, ostensibly demonstrated by the number and frequency of political conflicts in most states. This is visibly seen during high stake political processes such as presidential elections where competing parties clash for the top job of the state- the Presidency. Cameroon is an example of a state in the region grappling with fragility which is mainly insecurity in many parts of the country. Since the 2018 presidential elections in Cameroon, the security landscape keeps degrading and simmering, coupled with rising socio-economic hardship due to inflation which places the country on tenterhooks. The issue at stake is that the multifaceted fragility of Cameroon is rarely analysed in relation to power alternation in Cameroon. The aim of this study is to analyse state fragility in Cameroon in the context of a likely power alternation at the supreme magistracy of the Republic of Cameroon. It employed a qualitative research strategy and a case study research design. Findings for the study were obtained via Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and desk research. Using thematic analysis, the study reveals two strands of thought on the research question. The first finding is that fragilities and vulnerabilities play out to the advantage of the incumbent to maintain the grip on power and the second finding reveals that the 2025 presidential elections in Cameroon portends a challenging political moment for the country which is at crossroads. It argues that Cameroonians should prepare to live a difficult political experience during and after October 2025 presidential elections.