Willy Mengue, a prominent Cameroonian political figure and outspoken critic of Maurice Kamto’s return to the presidency of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC), has formally requested Equinoxe TV to address what he describes as an imbalance in their coverage of the party’s leadership crisis.

The request follows an appearance by MRC vice-president Mamadou Mota on the network’s program “La vérité en face” (The Hard Truth), where he defended Kamto’s contested return to leadership. Mengue, who represents the opposing faction within the MRC, argues that the network’s reporting has favored one side without providing equal platform to the opposing views.

In a strongly worded open letter addressed to Equinoxe TV’s CEO, Mengue emphasized the need for fairness, stating, “There is an urgent need to either organize a direct debate between both factions or provide a substantial right of reply to the segment aired on Sunday. While you granted airtime to Vice-President Mamadou Mota, the principles of journalistic truth demand that the same opportunity be extended to those of us who challenge this disputed return.”

Demand for equitable media representation

Mengue’s letter highlights his concerns over what he calls the network’s biased portrayal of the MRC’s internal crisis. “Equinoxe TV, known as the channel of the people that goes beyond appearances, must ensure that its coverage of the MRC’s constitutional manipulations to facilitate a fraudulent return by a former member is both just and balanced. The Cameroonian people are watching this unfold,” he wrote.

Kamto’s return to the MRC leadership has been a contentious issue, with Mengue and his supporters arguing that the process was irregular and undermined the party’s democratic principles. The dispute has divided the party, with factions on opposing sides of the leadership question.

Next steps: seeking media accountability

Mengue’s demand for a right of reply reflects broader concerns about media accountability in Cameroon’s political discourse. His call to Equinoxe TV underscores the role of television networks in shaping public perception during internal party conflicts.

The MRC, once a unified opposition force, now faces internal fragmentation as factions debate the legitimacy of Kamto’s leadership. Mengue’s appeal to Equinoxe TV highlights the media’s responsibility in ensuring that all perspectives are heard in the public sphere.