Cameroon’s youth lose faith ahead of Presidential election
Cameroon is preparing for its upcoming presidential election, scheduled for Sun, Oct 8, 2023. President Paul Biya, aged 92, is seeking his eighth term after decades in power. He first assumed the presidency in 1982 following the resignation of Ahmadou…
Cameroon is preparing for its upcoming presidential election, scheduled for Sun, Oct 8, 2023. President Paul Biya, aged 92, is seeking his eighth term after decades in power. He first assumed the presidency in 1982 following the resignation of Ahmadou Ahidjo. Since its independence in 1960, Cameroon has had only two heads of state.
In this election, 8.2 million Cameroonians are registered to vote. Alongside President Biya, nine opposition candidates are participating, including former ministers Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari. However, notable opposition figure Maurice Kamto is disqualified from running. The electoral commission cited dual party support as the reason for his disqualification.
Cameroon faces significant socio-economic challenges. The unemployment rate stands at 3.5%, but approximately 57% of individuals aged 18 to 35 work in the informal sector. Despite being an oil-producing nation with modest economic growth, many young Cameroonians feel the economic benefits are concentrated among the elite.
The country is dealing with multiple security issues. In the west, a long-running separatist conflict is primarily driven by English speakers feeling marginalized by the French-speaking majority. Additionally, Boko Haram militants from Nigeria carry out sporadic attacks in northern border towns.
Cameroon is preparing for its upcoming presidential election, scheduled for Sun, Oct 8, 2023.
The ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) holds a dominant political position, controlling 94 of 100 Senate seats and 152 of 180 seats in the National Assembly. Despite growing discontent, many elites and traditional leaders continue to support Biya, citing him as a stabilizing figure. Speculation about his health persists, as he often spends time in Europe, delegating governance to party officials and family.
Some analysts suggest that Biya's lengthy tenure is maintained through a network of financial interests and political strategies.
Young Cameroonians, whose median age is 18, express dissatisfaction with current governance. Many, like geoscience student Manoung Wilfried, feel compelled to vote out of a sense of patriotism rather than confidence in any candidate. The sentiment of disillusionment is echoed by individuals like Elvis Nghobo, who question the fairness of the electoral process.
Based on reporting by Africanews.
