Jouvence-JCP party, led by Valère Bertrand Bessala, is preparing to field candidates in the country’s next parliamentary and municipal elections, marking its first planned participation in both contests. Party officials told SBBC that they intend to submit candidate lists in several constituencies across the Centre, Littoral, West and Far North regions.
“We are actively preparing and will field candidates in several constituencies,” said Imhotep Slanwa Foudangwa, Jouvence-JCP’s acting secretary-general. He identified the Littoral, Centre, West and Far North regions among the party’s priorities, adding that preparations in Adamawa were still “underway.”
In the Centre region, the party is focusing on Yaoundé 2 and Yaoundé 5, while Douala 2 and Douala 5 are among its targets in the Littoral. Bikim Mandeng, Jouvence-JCP’s representative in Yaoundé 2, confirmed those plans but said their scope would depend on the party’s ability to mobilize support.
“Yes, we want to field candidates in all these constituencies, and even more if we can mobilize enough support,” he said.
The elections would mark Jouvence-JCP’s first participation in parliamentary and municipal contests. The party was among those authorized by Cameroon’s Ministry of Territorial Administration in 2021, after the February 9, 2020, parliamentary and municipal elections.
No official date has been set for the next elections. Lawmakers’ terms, which have already been extended, run until December 20, 2026. The mandates of municipal councilors elected in February 2020 have likewise been extended until February 28, 2027, unless elections are held before then.
“We Have No Scandals Hanging Over Us”
Jouvence-JCP plans to appeal to voters by emphasizing its relative newcomer status and the fact that it has never held elected office at the national or municipal level.
“Jouvence is a young political party, and we have no scandals hanging over us. We do not carry the baggage of other parties’ scandals or political maneuvering,” Mandeng said.
The party’s representative in Yaoundé 2 said its message would focus on the everyday concerns of Cameroonians.
“We are young people, and we are part of the people. The issues we address reflect the realities people face,” he said.
“Voting for us means voting for yourself, with the confidence that we will deliver on what we promise. We will do politics differently,” he added.
Mandeng Plans to Run in Yaoundé 2
Mandeng intends to seek his party’s nomination for both the parliamentary and municipal elections in Yaoundé 2.
He qualified his plans for the municipal race, saying he would run provided Jouvence-JCP’s candidate list was not, in his words, “blocked by the CPDM,” referring to the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement.
That allegation reflects Mandeng’s political assessment. Under Cameroonian electoral law, Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) is responsible for processing candidacy applications. Its Electoral Board approves and publishes candidate lists, while decisions rejecting applications can be challenged through procedures established by the Electoral Code.
Will Valère Bessala Run?
Whether Valère Bertrand Bessala will personally contest the elections remains uncertain. Mandeng said he hoped the Jouvence-JCP leader would run for a parliamentary seat, but stressed that no decision had been announced.
“Personally, I would like him to run, at least for parliament. But the decision is his to make. You will have to wait until he decides and makes an announcement,” he said.
Bessala announced in April 2025 that he intended to contest Cameroon’s October 12 presidential election that year. He withdrew on July 21, 2025, citing unmet mobilization targets, and later said his application had not been submitted to Elections Cameroon.
The next parliamentary and municipal elections would therefore offer Jouvence-JCP its first opportunity to compete for votes since receiving official authorization. Before its electoral support can be measured, however, the party must turn its announced plans across several regions into candidate lists that are formally submitted and approved.
Ludovic Amara