SUPPORTERS of Cameroonian President Paul Biya are intensifying their calls for his candidacy in the upcoming 2025 presidential election, highlighting his perceived role in fostering peace and development in the country.
In Cameroon’s capital, Yaounde, hundreds of Biya’s backers gathered on Sunday, urging him to accept the nomination of the ruling Cameroon Peoples Democratic Movement (CPDM) party. They assert that Biya, at 91 years old, remains the most capable leader to navigate the nation’s complex challenges.
According to senior CPDM official Fru Jonathan, ‘We think that you don’t change a winning team. If there is any challenger, let him come up, but we have not seen any challenger who can beat our candidate, so we all rely on him and call on him to continue to rule and bring our country to emergence as that is his vision.’
However, dissenting voices from the opposition and civil society present a contrasting view. Opposition parliamentarian Cabral Libii, from Cameroon’s Party for National Reconciliation (PCRN), emphasised the need for new leadership. He stated, ‘Cameroon needs young dynamic leaders to salvage the country from underdevelopment.’
Critics also question the legitimacy of Biya’s support, alleging coercion and manipulation in political rallies. Despite these accusations, both government officials and CPDM party representatives deny claims of hiring civilians to boost Biya’s popularity.
At 91 years old, Biya stands as the world’s oldest leader, second only to his neighbouring counterpart in Equatorial Guinea. His potential candidacy in the 2025 election sparks debate over Cameroon’s political future, with opposing factions advocating for continuity or change in leadership.
As Cameroon braces for the forthcoming election cycle, the contestation between Biya’s entrenched rule and calls for new leadership underscores the complexities of political transition in the country.