The controversy erupted during the official launch of the National Cycling Tour in Maroua, where Minister Narcisse Mouelle Kombi publicly declared that “FECAVOLLEY, led by Bello Bourdanne, a son of the Far North, under the guise of Reconciliation, will organize the U20 African Nations Championship in the coming days.”
The Cameroon Volleyball Federation, FECAVOLLEY, under the leadership of Julien Serge Abouem and operating within the Refondation framework, has issued a strongly worded statement condemning recent remarks made by the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, describing the comments as “inflammatory” and “a serious threat to national unity.” The controversy erupted during the official launch of the National Cycling Tour in Maroua, where Minister Narcisse Mouelle Kombi publicly declared that “FECAVOLLEY, led by Bello Bourdanne, a son of the Far North, under the guise of Reconciliation, will organize the U20 African Nations Championship in the coming days.” This statement was met with immediate and harsh criticism from the Abouem-led Refondation faction of FECAVOLLEY, which disputes Bourdanne’s leadership and denies the existence of any legitimate volleyball federation under his name.
In a press release signed by Mapack Martin Luther K., Head of the Legal Affairs Department at FECAVOLLEY, Refondation, on June 4, the federation accused the Minister of disseminating false information and manipulating regional identity for political purposes at a time when the country faces rising tensions around national cohesion. “These remarks, fraught with consequences, are in total contradiction with the republican values and the ideal of national cohesion tirelessly promoted by the Head of State,” the release stated, referencing President Paul Biya’s recent speech during the 49th National Day celebrations, which emphasized unity and peaceful coexistence.
The Refondation camp also invoked a February 27, 2025 ruling by the Yaoundé Administrative Court, which recognized the Abouem-led executive as the legitimate leadership of FECAVOLLEY. The ruling, according to the federation, invalidates any claims to authority made by Bello Bourdanne. Describing the Minister’s comments as “an insult to Cameroon’s judiciary” and “an unacceptable provocation against republican institutions,” the release warned of the broader implications such statements could have in a politically sensitive context.
The federation further distanced itself from what it called “regional or ethnic considerations,” reaffirming its commitment to promoting volleyball as a tool for national unity. “FECAVOLLEY, the only legal structure recognized by the State and international bodies, strongly reaffirms its unwavering commitment to promoting volleyball in the service of the nation,” the statement read, urging all Cameroonians to respect legal decisions and the principles of the Republic. As of publication, the Sports ministry has not issued any official response or clarification regarding the statement made in Maroua.
However, analysts warn that if not addressed, the situation could deepen existing rifts between the country’s sports institutions and state authorities. This latest episode adds another layer to the ongoing leadership crisis within Cameroonian volleyball, further highlighting the fragile relationship between sports governance and political oversight in the country.
