Yaoundé: Cameroon’s long-serving President Paul Biya, now 92, continues to maintain an unyielding grip on power, with potential re-election looming in the 2025 elections. If successful, Biya could remain in office until just before his centennial birthday, extending his tenure as the world’s oldest head of state. Many citizens of this central African nation have grown skeptical about prospects for a better future under Biya’s leadership.
According to Deutsche Welle, the pervasive corruption and human rights violations have become a daily reality for Cameroonians, leaving many disillusioned about the possibility of change. Olivier Njoya, a student, expressed his frustration, stating, “It’s no surprise… It’s just a shame that there are people who don’t think about the common good, but only about their own interests.” Despite spending significant time abroad for health and leisure, Biya manages to maintain a complex power structure that has prevented any serious challenge to his leadership.
Christian Klatt of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Cameroon highlights Biya’s adeptness at neutralizing potential threats by playing competitors against each other. Klatt notes, “In recent years, no one has been able to pose a threat to Biya,” as no credible successor has emerged from either his party or the opposition.
In contrast to the political climate in West Africa, where coups have been frequent, Klatt deems a military takeover in Cameroon unlikely. The country’s military is characterized by a strong separation of powers, preventing any single faction from asserting dominance.
Biya’s party, the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (RDPC), has been the ruling party since the country’s independence in 1960, with Biya at its helm since 1982. Klatt suggests that Biya’s re-election is probable, owing to the RDPC’s widespread support and the simple majority required in the electoral system, which favors the incumbent.
The opposition, however, remains fragmented, with efforts to form a united front against Biya hampered by internal divisions and ideological differences. The Douala Group, a coalition of opposition parties, disbanded shortly before the nomination deadline, further diminishing hopes for a unified challenge. Hiram Samuel Iyodi, a 37-year-old candidate from the MP3 party, acknowledges the difficulties posed by the electoral system, urging young Cameroonians to unite against the ruling regime.
Some analysts, like Philippe Nanga, argue that Biya is more of a figurehead, with real power residing in a select group led by his secretary-general, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh. Nanga points out that Ngoh Ngoh wields significant influence, handling tasks traditionally under the president’s purview.
Dissent is stifled in Cameroon, with journalists, politicians, and activists facing detention and harassment. Freedom House’s latest report highlights attacks on independent media and civil society. Political scientist Ernesto Yene argues that fear is instrumental in maintaining the regime’s stability, as those who challenge the status quo are quickly marginalized. Yene explains, “In reality, everyone is hiding behind Paul Biya’s candidacy because it guarantees everyone the preservation of their privileges within the power apparatus.”