In Cameroon, this Sunday, November 6, forty years to the day, Paul Biya is President of the Republic. Forty years ago, he received power from his resigning predecessor Ahmadou Ahidjo. In four decades, Paul Biya, now 89 years old, has been proclaimed winner of the seven presidential elections that the country has known since 1982. He is halfway through his seventh term which runs until 2025.
With our special correspondent in Yaoundé, Amelie Tulet
An anniversary date to celebrate or regret for some, a non-event for others.
It is the party of Paul Biya which makes this Sunday a day of celebrations. The CPDM asked its local sections to organize ” with pomp » meetings and public demonstrations on the territory. A large rally organized in Yaoundé in front of the town hall.
The Secretary General of the CPDM, Jean Nkuete, placed this day under the theme of strengthening the mobilization behind Paul Biya. The majority party has in mind the future elections, namely the senatorial elections expected next year and the presidential election of 2025.
Longevity in power variously appreciated
Forty years of presidency, it is also a record and a diversely appreciated longevity which inevitably arouse comments and political positions.
Thus, we could read in the government newspaper Cameroon Tribune whole pages of messages of congratulations sent by traditional chiefs, parliamentarians or even the president of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (Conac).
Documentaries, debates, works on the “Biya phenomenon” retracing his career, deciphering the keys to his longevity… His supporters attribute to him the paternity of Cameroon’s stability over the long term. ” Cameroon is a country of peace they repeat. A peace, however, that part of the population does not know in the Far North affected by Boko-Haram and in the two predominantly English-speaking regions of the North-West and South-West.
On the social and economic level, the party puts forward, among other things, the construction of schools, hospitals or even roads, these past four decades.
Opponents point untapped potential », « an embryonic industry “and more infrastructure” insufficient to meet basic needs.
For its part, the organization “Tournons la Page” denounces a ” endemic and institutionalized corruption » and a longevity that « weighed on the development of the country “.
► Read also 40 years of Paul Biya in power: the mysteries of the political longevity of the President of Cameroon