Cameroon’s Nonagenarian President Paul Biya Marks 41 Years in Power

By Boris Esono Nwenfor & Sonita Ngunyi Nwohtazie

BUEA, November 7, 2-23 – Cameroon’s 90-year-old president Paul Biya on Monday marked 41 years in power with calls from his supporters across the country for the nonagenarian to run for another mandate come 2025.

President Paul Biya largely stayed out of the spotlight as scores of supporters gathered at the Buea Independence Square, in Cameroon’s South West Region, to celebrate the anniversary of their leader.

Celebrations were also marked in Bamenda, North West Region and in the North of the country where the CPDM enjoys massive support. President Biya is Africa's second-longest serving leader: The president of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, has been in power since 1979.

Biya was Cameroon's prime minister and became president in 1982 after his predecessor, Cameroon's first president Ahmadou Ahidjo, following the country's independence from France, stepped down due to health reasons. He survived a 1984 coup attempt. When the country's first multi-party election was finally held in 1992, Biya bested his opposition rival by just four percentage points.

"Since our father took power we live in peace — he protects us well," said Biya supporter Paul Ambassa. "May God keep him."

"Today, newspapers, televisions can go on to operate and say anything and even insult the president and go free," Fru Jonathan said. "In 1982 we had just one political party, today we have more than 250 political parties. We are talking about road infrastructure, energy, the seaports, the airports. We used to have one university in this country in 1982, we now have eleven. Secondary schools and high schools are dotted all over."

Critics point to the role that corruption has played in entrenching Biya's regime, with the spoils allegedly going to his allies in government, the security forces and the president's family.

"Nov. 6 is considered a day of national mourning because Mr. Biya inherited a rich, prosperous and growing country," said critic Darling Nguevo. "And he set about unravelling every sector of life and society."

"Corruption has made its bed in the country. So has bad governance. Paul Biya is old, and his public appearances are rare, and this is happening against the backdrop of the succession battle," he added.

In the decades since, Human rights groups have accused him of brazen strongman tactics, including torture and intimidation of his opponents. President Biya has faced challenges in recent years that range from a secessionist movement in Cameroon's English-speaking regions to the threat in the north posed by Islamic extremists aligned with the Nigeria-based Boko Haram group.

"The people in charge of these various mobilizations are very much driven by the logic of clientelism, as each tries to show his allegiance, to show a lot of fidelity and loyalty," Political analyst Aristide Mono said.

Displays of loyalty have become particularly important as Biya gets older. The president's son, Franck Biya, has been more visible at his father's side. Some think he is positioning himself as a possible successor.