By Hans Ngala
Every year, as January rolls around, Cameroonians witness an event that has become a fixture in the political calendar: President Paul Biya receiving New Year wishes from the diplomatic corps at the Unity Palace in Yaoundé. This tradition has been a staple of Biya’s 42-year rule and, on the surface, might seem like an occasion of celebration or national unity. Diplomats, heads of international organizations,, and Biya’s ministers gather to pay respects to the 92-year-old president, exchanging pleasantries and wishing him well in the New Year. But while this might be a moment of significance for the political elite, it is viewed by many ordinary Cameroonians as a non-event—one that speaks volumes about the disconnect between their lives and the realities of the presidency.
Biya’s reign has spanned more than four decades, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving heads of state. However, his tenure has also been marked by a growing disillusionment among the general populace. While the diplomatic ceremonies continue to unfold at the Unity Palace, for most Cameroonians, these events are little more than a reminder of the widening gap between the elite and the people.
The Disconnect Between Biya and the Ordinary People
For many Cameroonians, the annual New Year wishes ceremony symbolizes a form of governance that is increasingly distant from the concerns of everyday citizens. Biya’s interactions with diplomats and international dignitaries at the Unity Palace appear far removed from the lived experiences of the average Cameroonian. The pomp and circumstance of these events only serve to highlight the president’s detachment from the nation’s pressing issues—issues that continue to affect ordinary people in a profound way.
Biya’s leadership style has often been described as aloof, with the president appearing only intermittently in the public eye. His public engagements are rare, and when they do happen, they tend to be highly orchestrated events that allow him to maintain a carefully crafted image. Apart from the occasional appearance at state celebrations such as Cameroon’s National Day on May 20th, Biya is often invisible in the day-to-day lives of his citizens. This isolation from the public has led many to feel that the president is out of touch with the challenges facing the country, and the New Year wishes ceremony only deepens this sense of disconnect.
The absence of any meaningful engagement with the struggles of ordinary Cameroonians is particularly striking, given the serious issues facing the country today. From economic stagnation to the ongoing Anglophone Crisis, Cameroon is a nation in turmoil, and Biya’s aloofness has only compounded the public’s sense of frustration.
Biya’s Record After 42 Years in Power
At the heart of the disenchantment among ordinary Cameroonians is the deepening sense of neglect. After more than four decades in power, the President is widely seen as having failed to address many of the country’s most pressing issues. While the diplomatic corps gathers to offer their good wishes, millions of citizens struggle daily with the realities of life in a nation burdened by economic challenges and unresolved conflict in Anglophone Regions – resulting in even more hardship for those from these two regions.
One of the most glaring failures of Biya’s leadership is the state of the country’s economy. Despite being rich in natural resources, Cameroon has struggled to achieve the kind of economic growth and development that would lift the majority of its population out of poverty. The country’s infrastructure is in dire need of improvement, with many areas lacking basic services such as reliable electricity, clean water, and good roads. In rural regions, the situation is even more dire, with many communities living in conditions that have changed little since independence or even colonization. Unemployment remains high, particularly among young people, and the country’s economic prospects seem bleak under his watch.
In cities like Yaoundé and Douala, the political capital and economic hub of the country respectively, the infrastructure is often described as inadequate or even non-existent. Roads are riddled with potholes, public transportation is unreliable, and the quality of healthcare and education remains subpar. These deficiencies stand in stark contrast to the opulence displayed during events like the New Year wishes ceremony, where Biya continues to receive international recognition and accolades from ambassadors and diplomats. For ordinary Cameroonians, these disparities are both painful and infuriating.
Moreover, the President’s failure to resolve the ongoing Anglophone Crisis, which has plagued the English-speaking regions of the country for nearly 9 years now, has further deepened the sense of frustration. What started as a peaceful protest by teachers and lawyers in the Anglophone regions in 2016 has escalated into a full-scale conflict, with thousands of lives lost and entire communities displaced. Despite repeated calls for dialogue and peace, Biya has largely stuck to a military solution, with little to no effort made to address the root causes of the crisis. In his recent New Year address to the nation, he reiterated his preferred military option.
The lack of meaningful dialogue between the government and Anglophone leaders has only fueled resentment and alienation in the affected regions. While the president’s New Year wishes ceremony may be a moment of celebration for the diplomatic community, for many in the Anglophone regions, it represents a stark reminder of the president’s indifference to their suffering.
A Call for Accountability
Biya’s longevity in power has afforded him the luxury of international recognition, but it has also bred complacency and a failure to deliver on the promises that were made to the people of Cameroon at the start of his presidency. While Biya continues to engage with ambassadors and foreign diplomats, his failure to address the needs of his own citizens has created a growing sense of frustration and disillusionment.
For ordinary Cameroonians, the New Year wishes ceremony is nothing more than a political ritual—one that offers little to no tangible benefits. What they need is not a celebration of political continuity but real solutions to the problems they face daily. Cameroonians need a government that listens, that engages with the people, and that works to improve the economy, address infrastructure deficiencies, and resolve the Anglophone Crisis. The president’s inability or unwillingness to engage with these issues has led many to question the relevance of such diplomatic ceremonies. For them, Biya’s leadership has become a symbol of stagnation, while the country continues to fall further behind in comparison to other countries on the continent.
As Cameroon enters another year under Biya’s rule, it is clear that the hopes of ordinary citizens are not reflected in the ceremonial exchanges between the president and the diplomatic corps. For them, the time for words has passed; what they need are actions that bring real change to their lives. Until that happens, the New Year wishes to Biya will remain a hollow gesture—one that does little to inspire hope or enthusiasm among the people of Cameroon.
