Yaounde: As Cameroonians gear up for the presidential elections in October 2025, the political landscape is once again dominated by the prospect of President Paul Biya seeking re-election. At the age of 92, Biya has been at the helm for more than four decades, making him one of the world’s longest-serving leaders. Despite a record characterized by economic challenges, high unemployment, pervasive corruption, and human rights issues, segments of Cameroonian society are rallying for his continued leadership.
According to Cameroon News Agency, the calls for another term for Biya are coming from unexpected quarters, including university professors and youth groups in Bamenda, the South West Region, and even Yaounde, the capital. These endorsements, whether genuine or orchestrated, highlight a concerning reality: a significant portion of the population seems to have accepted mediocrity and ceased to demand better governance.
The pervasive sentiment of aligning with power rather than challenging it is captured in a local saying, ‘If man pass you, carry yi bag,’ meaning it is wiser to align with those in power. In a nation where the government frequently fails to provide basic services and dissent is harshly suppressed, survival often takes precedence over resistance. With Biya maintaining control over critical sectors such as the judiciary, education, media, and law enforcement, many find it safer to conform than to resist.
The European Parliament recently criticized Cameroon’s human rights record, particularly its treatment of journalists, urging the Biya administration to ensure press freedom ahead of the upcoming election. Journalists and activists frequently face harassment, detention, and sometimes exile for voicing dissent. Even commenting on Biya’s health, especially after his disappearance from public view in late 2024, is considered a ‘national security’ issue, as stated by Paul Atanga Nji, following public speculation about Biya’s fitness for presidency.
Biya’s prolonged rule is not solely maintained by force but is also bolstered by a disunited and ineffective opposition. While many Cameroonians acknowledge the need for change, the opposition’s failure to rally behind a single candidate weakens their impact. This disunity is further deepened by ideological rifts between Anglophones and the Francophone-majority government.
The ongoing Anglophone Crisis, now in its eighth year, exemplifies how internal divisions hinder national unity. Although Biya made attempts to placate the Anglophone populace by appointing Anglophones to prominent positions, these measures have had little effect in bridging the divide. Paul Atanga Nji, an Anglophone and Minister of Territorial Administration, publicly denied the existence of an ‘Anglophone problem,’ alienating many in his community while pleasing the regime.
Instead of demanding substantial reforms or accountability, many Cameroonians are pacified with minimal gestures. In a country struggling with poverty and unemployment, small incentives like a loaf of bread, a can of sardines, and a bottle of beer can buy loyalty or at least silence. This widespread complacency enables the regime to retain its hold on power.
The metaphor of a starving dog eagerly wagging its tail at the sight of its master aptly describes the current state in Cameroon. Citizens have become beggars, content with crumbs while ignoring the broader systemic decay. Despite the evident failures, from the deteriorating infrastructure in Yaounde to the collapsing health and education systems, the population remains largely silent.
The reason is that protest is fraught with peril. Public demonstrations often face violent crackdowns. Security forces, acting on orders from local officials, use tear gas, batons, and even live ammunition to disperse crowds. The oppressive environment has fostered a culture of fear and resignation. People voice their grievances privately but publicly praise Biya.
This duality-criticizing in private while publicly supporting the regime-is not true patriotism. Genuine patriotism requires courage and the willingness to challenge injustice. Cameroonians need to respectfully urge President Biya to retire after 40 years in power, as he himself suggested during French President Emmanuel Macron’s 2022 visit to Cameroon.
Ultimately, the responsibility for change lies with the people. No external force will rescue Cameroon. If citizens continue to exchange their votes for trivial offerings and allow themselves to be swayed by fear or tribalism, they will remain trapped in a cycle of poor leadership. The opposition must also step up by forming coalitions and presenting a united front.
A new Cameroon, characterized by visionary leadership and inclusive governance, is within reach. However, this future will remain elusive unless Cameroonians demand it. If they fail to unite and hold their leaders accountable, they must accept the consequences: a declining economy, a generation without opportunities, and a nation whose potential remains unfulfilled.
Cameroonians have contributed to the current situation through silence and division. As the saying goes, ‘People get the government they deserve.’ If Cameroonians want better, they must strive to be better. The time to act is now. No one else will bring change. The citizens themselves must be the change they seek. If they don’t stand up now, they must accept whatever leadership they receive, as they will have earned it.