Cameroon's Eternal President: Biya, 92, Eyes Another Term
Yaoundé, Cameroon – Imagine a world where your country’s leader has been at the helm for longer than most of its population has been alive.
Background
Now, imagine that leader is 92 years old, rarely seen in public, and is almost certainly about to secure yet another term in office
Welcome to Cameroon, where on Sunday, voters will head to the polls in a presidential election that feels, to many, less like a choice and more like a formality, a predictable coronation rather than a genuine democratic contest
At the heart of this enduring political saga is Paul Biya, currently the world’s oldest head of state
He assumed power way back in 1982, succeeding Cameroon’s first president, Ahmadou Ahidjo.
That’s an astonishing 43 years of continuous rule, a tenure so extensive it makes him one of the longest-serving non-royal leaders globally
To put it in perspective, when Biya first took office, Ronald Reagan was in the White House, the first CD player was just hitting the market, and the internet as we know it was still a distant dream
It’s a profound testament to his longevity, but also a stark indicator that most Cameroonians under the age of 40 have known no other president; his rule defines their entire adult lives, if not more
Biya, despite his advanced age and increasingly frail appearance, has consistently brushed aside any whispers of retirement.
His public appearances are few and far between, often limited to carefully choreographed events or brief glimpses on state television, leading to a kind of 'ghost president' persona
Yet, come Sunday, all signs point to him extending his reign for an eighth term, solidifying a hold on power that has become a defining characteristic of modern Cameroon
The Illusion of Choice in a Managed Democracy The opposition, a collection of 11 candidates, finds itself severely fractured and largely ineffective
They’re up against a formidable, well-oiled state apparatus that has perfected the art of staying in power.
Critics often point to an uneven playing field, where state media coverage heavily favors the incumbent, opposition rallies face logistical hurdles, and the electoral commission is widely seen as lacking true independence
For many international observers, the vote feels less like a genuine democratic exercise and more like a carefully managed performance designed to lend legitimacy to a predetermined outcome
It’s a script that’s played out repeatedly in countries where institutions have been slowly eroded to serve the interests of a single party and its leader
But how does one man maintain such an iron grip for so long. Biya’s longevity isn’t just about the ballot box.
It’s built on a complex web of patronage, strategic alliances within the military, and a shrewd ability to neutralize or co-opt potential challengers.
He’s managed to cultivate an aura of indispensability, presenting himself as the guarantor of stability in a region often plagued by volatility
His ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM) party controls virtually every lever of power, from the judiciary to the vast network of local administrators, ensuring loyalty and squashing dissent before it can truly take root
The pervasive influence of the state makes any genuine challenge seem like a monumental task, contributing significantly to the widespread perception that the election is largely a formality
A Nation at a Crossroads: Deep-Seated Challenges Beyond the presidential palace, Cameroon is a nation grappling with significant challenges that often go unaddressed or are exacerbated by its entrenched leadership
The economy, heavily reliant on oil and agriculture, has struggled to provide opportunities for its rapidly growing youth population
Unemployment is rife, and infrastructure development often lags behind national needs, hindering progress and innovation.
This economic stagnation fuels frustration, particularly among younger generations who see limited prospects within their own country
The Anglophone Crisis and Regional Threats The country also faces a brutal, ongoing conflict in its English-speaking western regions, known as the Anglophone crisis, which has claimed thousands of lives and displaced hundreds of thousands more
This conflict, rooted in historical grievances over marginalization and the perceived dominance of the French-speaking majority, has only deepened divisions within the country and severely strained its social fabric
Peace efforts have largely faltered, and the humanitarian cost continues to mount, posing one of the greatest threats to Cameroon’s national unity.
In the far north, the lingering threat of Boko Haram militants continues to destabilize communities, requiring significant military resources and impacting regional security
For the average Cameroonian, another Biya term likely means more of the same.
The hope for fundamental change, for a new direction that addresses these pressing issues with fresh energy and ideas, often seems to dwindle with each passing election
What does it mean for a society when its leadership is so deeply entrenched that the possibility of a peaceful, democratic transition feels almost theoretical
It can foster apathy, lead to the emigration of its brightest minds seeking opportunities elsewhere, and a quiet resignation that eventually, and sometimes violently, boils over into unrest
Global Parallels and Southeast Asian Echoes From a global perspective, Biya’s continued rule highlights a persistent challenge in many developing democracies: the delicate balance between stability and the imperative for genuine democratic renewal
His situation exemplifies a broader African phenomenon of 'president for life' leaders, often sustained by control over state institutions and, crucially, by international appeasement
International bodies and human rights organizations routinely voice concerns about democratic deficits in Cameroon, but concrete action often falls short
It’s a familiar dilemma: intervening risks further destabilizing a region, while inaction allows autocratic tendencies to deepen.
This dynamic is not unfamiliar to other regions, including parts of Southeast Asia
While contexts differ significantly – Southeast Asia's economic miracles often intertwined with strong leadership during nation-building phases – the underlying questions about power transitions, governance, and the vitality of democratic institutions resonate
Historically, some nations in ASEAN have experienced periods where strong leaders dominated the political landscape, promising stability and economic progress in exchange for protracted rule or limited political pluralism
The debate between prioritizing stability for development versus fostering dynamic, inclusive democratic processes has been a recurrent theme.
How long can a country sustain a system where its leader's primary concern seems to be maintaining the status quo, rather than fostering dynamic change that reflects the aspirations of a new generation
This question, central to Cameroon's political fate, has echoed in various forms across our own region.
Looking Ahead: The Cost of Stagnation So, as Cameroonians head to the polls this Sunday, the outcome feels largely preordained
Paul Biya, the nonagenarian president, is set to extend his decades-long tenure, continuing a legacy that began before many of his current constituents were born
But beneath the surface of this predictable election lies a bubbling cauldron of unmet expectations, unresolved conflicts, and a quiet yearning for a future that, for now, remains just out of reach
The Anglophone crisis, in particular, poses a significant threat to national unity, while the lack of genuine political transition stifles economic development and democratic maturation
The real question isn't whether Biya will win, but what another term means for the resilience of Cameroon, and indeed, for the very concept of democracy in a world increasingly scrutinizing how power is truly held and wielded
The choice facing Cameroonians, or rather, the lack thereof, serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing global tension between maintaining stability and fostering genuine democratic evolution.
