In a decisive blow to challengers, the Court of Appeal in Yaoundé has firmly established Bello Bourdanne’s legitimacy as the rightful president of the Cameroon Volleyball Federation (FECAVOLLEY). The ruling, delivered on April 10, 2025, ends months of attempted power struggles within one of Cameroon’s premier sporting bodies.
Court Dismisses Challenge Against Volleyball Leadership
The Control Chamber of the Central Court of Appeal in Yaoundé issued Ruling No. 22/CCI, unanimously rejecting an appeal by Julien Serge Abouem A Boull, who had attempted to undermine the federation’s elected leadership through legal maneuvers. The court confirmed the previous non-prosecution order from May 16, 2024, and further ordered Abouem A Boull to pay all legal costs.
This ruling represents the second consecutive legal defeat for Abouem A Boull, who remains under sanctions from the National Olympic and Sports Committee of Cameroon.
Failed Legal Strategy Exposed
According to FECAVOLLEY’s official communiqué, Abouem A Boull had launched criminal proceedings against seven prominent figures, including the federation’s entire executive team and key Ministry of Sports officials. The charges of “participation in a legally prohibited public meeting” were aimed at:
- Bello Bourdanne, FECAVOLLEY’s elected President
- Elias Matip, First Vice-President
- Nadine Carole Ambatta Mbeya, Secretary-General
- Joe Archange Samba Ngwana, Financial Department Head
- Joseph Yerima, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Sports
- Eric Wydorla Bifon, Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Sports
- Desire Kamanda Engamba, Government Commissioner from the Ministry of Sports
The federation described these proceedings as “misdirected action” and “a disguised means of contesting FECAVOLLEY’s electoral General Assembly” that had elected Bourdanne to lead the organization.
Olympic Committee Sanctions Still in Effect
FECAVOLLEY reminded the public that Abouem A Boull remains under sanction by the National Olympic and Sports Committee “until further notice.” The communiqué emphasized that this sanctioned status prohibits him from “representing himself in public as ‘PRESIDENT’ of this Federation” or “taking actions in this capacity.”
This ruling solidifies Bello Bourdanne’s position ahead of Cameroon’s preparations for upcoming international volleyball competitions, providing much-needed stability to the federation’s governance structure.
