ANALYSIS: Cameroon’s Hunger Games: Why it is disingenuous for anyone to call on Paul Biya to run for office again

By W.N. Jackson

The measure of leadership should be in the results that are produced. Let us forget the fact that there is a gaping divide between Biya and the majority of the people he is supposed to be leading, and that word ‘supposed’ is used very deliberately. For starters, the man is nearly 100 years old, has no fresh ideas to solve the multi-complex problems that now face Cameroon – far different from the Cameroon he inherited from Ahmadou Ahidjo in 1982. The man has failed consistently by every measurable metric.
Under Biya’s watch, healthcare in Cameroon is a mess, with most hospitals lacking basic equipment. Roads (even in Yaoundé, where he lives) are mostly in disrepair, and basic sanitation and public waste collection are poorly done, if ever at all. The average salary of a Cameroonian is roughly 50,000 CFA (around $300) per month, according to a 2023 report by the National Institute of Statistics. This figure reflects the severe economic hardship faced by the average citizen in a country rich in resources but poor in leadership.
The problem is not so much that Biya has been in power too long, but that his long stay in power has seen him do very little to improve the livelihood of the nearly 30 million Cameroonians under his leadership. The recent call by some traditional rulers that he should seek an eighth term is both disingenuous and hypocritical. These hungry leaders who are obviously endorsing a super old man to keep ruling are not doing so because they are patriotic but because they understand that Biya’s style is one which rewards his loyalists and praise-singers. They’ll collect their cash envelopes when they endorse a man whose decades-long stay in power has resulted in minimal or almost zero improvements in the life of the average Cameroonian. These hungry traditional leaders are part of the problem with Cameroon.

The Inability to Solve the Anglophone Crisis

Biya’s inability to address the Anglophone Crisis is one of the starkest examples of his failure as a leader. What began as peaceful protests over perceived marginalization of Anglophone regions in the northwest and southwest of the country has escalated into a full-blown armed conflict. Tens of thousands have died, and millions have been displaced, yet Biya’s response has been to ignore, suppress, and militarize the region rather than engage in meaningful dialogue.
The consequences of this failure to resolve the crisis have been disastrous. Families have been torn apart, and the social fabric of Cameroonian society has been irreparably harmed. The conflict has not only deepened ethnic divides but has also set back Cameroon’s development by decades. The government’s refusal to engage in genuine negotiations with Anglophone leaders, and its consistent use of force rather than diplomacy, has exacerbated the crisis. As a result, the once-promising prospect of a unified, peaceful Cameroon has been severely compromised. Biya’s continued disregard for the Anglophone issue, choosing instead to treat it as a “law and order” matter, speaks to his failure to lead with empathy, vision, or pragmatism.

Youth Unemployment and the Need to Diversify the Economy

Cameroon’s economy is heavily dependent on a few sectors, such as oil and agriculture, which leaves it highly vulnerable to global price fluctuations and climate change. Despite this, Biya’s administration has failed to diversify the economy or invest in future-proof industries. Youth unemployment is a growing crisis in Cameroon, with estimates suggesting that over 30% of young people are unable to find meaningful work.
This youth bulge, combined with a lack of investment in education, innovation, and job creation, is a ticking time bomb. Instead of focusing on sustainable economic development, Biya’s government has prioritized maintaining the status quo— a practice that only serves to perpetuate an underperforming economy. The failure to diversify the economy has resulted in a reliance on oil and mineral exports, which are subject to international market forces. This has left Cameroon vulnerable to economic shocks, and without a clear strategy to create jobs or stimulate growth in other sectors, the future looks bleak for many young Cameroonians.
Furthermore, the government has shown little interest in fostering a culture of entrepreneurship or investing in technology and innovation. This stagnation has prevented young people from tapping into their potential and has kept the nation trapped in a cycle of economic underdevelopment. Biya’s failure to address the structural issues of unemployment and economic diversification is one of the key reasons why he is unfit to continue leading the country.

Biya’s Aloof Leadership Style, Zero Accountability, and Long Stays Abroad

Perhaps one of the most defining characteristics of Paul Biya’s leadership has been his aloofness. Over the years, he has become increasingly detached from the people he claims to serve. Biya spends a significant portion of his time abroad, often in luxurious locations, where he receives medical care and enjoys a lifestyle far removed from the reality of the average Cameroonian. This long-standing practice has led to an atmosphere of mistrust, as many citizens question how their tax dollars are being spent.
His frequent absences have also contributed to a leadership vacuum in Cameroon, where decisions are either delayed or made with little transparency or public input. Biya’s approach to governance has been marked by a lack of accountability, a reluctance to address the country’s most pressing issues, and a disregard for public opinion. His disinterest in engaging directly with the people he governs, coupled with a style of leadership that avoids responsibility, highlights a severe disconnect between the president and the nation.

Furthermore, the constant and unnecessary drain on state resources for his personal luxuries and extended vacations abroad only adds insult to injury. With the country grappling with extreme poverty and high unemployment, Biya’s unaccountable spending is nothing short of scandalous. It is an unfortunate reflection of his failure to lead with integrity, to connect with the people, and to prioritize the needs of his citizens over his own comforts.

Why Biya is Unfit to Rule Cameroon Again

Paul Biya’s tenure as president of Cameroon has been marked by an almost complete disregard for the country’s most critical issues. His inability to resolve the Anglophone Crisis, his failure to create economic opportunities for the youth, and his detachment from the struggles of the average Cameroonian are just a few of the reasons why his leadership is no longer tenable. His long absences, coupled with his lack of accountability and vision for the future, have demonstrated that he is out of touch with the needs of the country.
Biya’s repeated failure to address the pressing issues facing Cameroon over the last several decades paints a clear picture: he is no longer fit to lead the nation. The recent calls from traditional rulers for him to seek an eighth term are not only misguided but also a betrayal of the many Cameroonians who are desperate for change. It is time for Cameroon to look beyond Biya’s presidency, embrace a new era of leadership, and work towards a future where the needs and aspirations of the people are at the forefront of governance. The time for change is now.