Cameroon: Paul Biya Documentary Draws Praise and Criticism at Buea Screening

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

BUEA, Cameroon – The town of Legendary Hospitality, Buea, was the centre of attraction as a documentary chronicling the life and legacy of the long-serving president, Paul Biya, premiered on Thursday, September 19. The event drew a diverse audience, including political leaders, traditional authorities, and residents, who gathered to witness the cinematic portrayal of a figure who has shaped the political landscape of the country for over four decades. 

The documentary styled Paul Bia: A Great Statesman with a Prodigious Destiny, weaves together real-life history, and personal testimonies to chronicle Paul Biya’s remarkable 42-year reign to his rise to the presidency in 1982, focusing on key themes such as national unity, peace, economic development, and diplomatic relations. From his victories to the trials he faced, the film paints a vivid portrait of the Cameroonian president. Voices from diverse segments of society—children to elites—share their perspectives on Biya’s leadership.

The chair of the event, the chairman of the Bilingualism Promotion Commission, and leader of the South West Permanent Delegation of ruling Cameroon's People Democratic Movement, Peter Mafanyi Musonge, outlined 11 things which President Paul Bia has done to the people of the South West region, such as the creation of the University of Buea, the tarring of the Kumba-Mamfe Road, and giving the special status to the people of the South West region.

Cecilia Lyonga, Principal of BGS Molyko said: It's not just a film. It's history. It's something everybody should have in his or her house. In every school, we should have this. It's a textbook on its own. And I think it revives Cameroonian memories about what President Paul Biya has done for this country.

Abuko Patrick Anki, Mayor of Kombo Abedimo Council in the Bakasi Peninsula said: We, the people of Bakassi, will always remember President Paul Biya for the peaceful handing over of the Bakassi Peninsula, which would have been a war between two brotherly nations, Cameroon and Nigeria. But he took a fatherly approach. He took the legal part of it by carrying this matter to the International Court of Justice.

Mixed reaction

Several political analysts and opposition figures see the film differently. For them, the documentary falls short of providing a balanced account of Biya’s presidency. While it highlights his efforts to keep Cameroon united, they argue it overlooks key shortcomings, particularly his handling of the Anglophone crisis, allegations of corruption, and the suppression of political dissent.

Others pointed to the portrayal of Biya as a visionary leader, arguing that the film’s emphasis on his achievements—such as infrastructure development, regional diplomacy, and educational reforms—comes at the expense of a more nuanced portrayal. Critics argue that it sidesteps questions of governance, economic mismanagement, and the President’s long tenure in power, which many believe has contributed to Cameroon’s democratic stagnation.

“We are very satisfied and happy that everything went well and the population was well mobilized to witness and watch this film,” Zaccheus Bakoma Elango, President of the Southwest Regional Executive Council said.

CPDM Convoy attacked

Before the premiere, the Ambazonian Interim Government (AIG) announced a complete ban on screening the documentary. The AIG sees the event as a deliberate provocation, mocking the Ambazonian people's ongoing struggle for independence.

“For 61 years, the people of Buea and Ambazonia at large have been force-fed Paul Biya’s narrative—a stale movie that has played out for decades, with nothing to show for it,” Chris Anu, President of the Interim Government of Ambazonia wrote in a press release. It emphasizes that the Ambazonian people are fully aware of this story and will not be swayed by any attempts to glorify Biya’s leadership, which they consider oppressive.

With the presidential election on the horizon, it is still unclear if President Biya would seek another term in office. However, all projections point to him running again next year as calls from his inner circle and supporters grow ever stronger. Some hail it as a tribute to a statesman, while others decry its one-sidedness. The long-serving president's legacy is a tapestry woven with triumphs and controversies—a complex narrative that defies easy categorization.