By Nchendzengang Tatah
Member of Parliament for Buea Urban, Honorable Malomba Esembe Donald has expressed positive sentiments for the re-election of Paul Biya, 92. The 39-year-old legislator feels that Biya is the man who can translate the aspirations of the youth. Malomba is in the fifth year of his first mandate at the Glass House under the banner of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, CPDM.
“As a person, and I think most young Cameroonians echo the same sentiments, we don’t just need someone who resonates or carries sentiments of the youths and puts ahead, but we need someone who can translate our aspirations into actionable policies and programs which bring welfare. I think President Paul Biya has a track record of doing so,” Hon Malomba said. The member of parliament was speaking shortly after march-past at the Independence Square in Buea celebrating the 59th Youth Day.
Laureate of the 2024 First Prize for Civic Engagement by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education, Malomba also feels the leadership of Paul Biya has cracks. “There’s no leader in the world who has been able to do everything,” he noted. Adding that, even President Biya has often cited the lapses of his government.
Despite being a nonagenarian, Malomba is convinced of Biya’s determination to continue leading the country at best. He also promises to give the incumbent, his party’s national chairman, total support if according to party guidelines, Biya remains the candidate of the CPDM. Paul Biya has been president for the past forty-two years. He turns ninety-two officially on February 13, 2025.
The Buea Urban Member of Parliament thinks the fall in living standards around the country is due to factors independent of Biya’s personality. “It is not only in Cameroon, there are factors which are internal and others external affecting living standards,” he said. Citing corruption, MP Malomba acknowledged it had diminished government efforts significantly.
Hon Malomba subscribed to Biya’s “commitment and dedication to work for the country. I think he should stand for re-election.” Few months to the presidential elections, the beat is harder. Revision of electoral registers is ongoing. Registration points have been observed in several spots across Buea and targeting crowd-pulling events. According to Hon. Malomba, youths of Buea the regional headquarters of the South West are taking the imminent political period seriously. This he explained, was seen through their mobilization and participation at the Youth Day under the banner of their political alignments.
