You have certainly heard cliches like “Paul Biya is the oldest president on earth”, “Paul Biya wants to continue ruling after 8 terms”, “Paul Biya Is dead”, “Paul Biya never lives in Cameroon”. “Paul Biya is a dictator” “Cameroon is a Kingdom” etc etc. In spite of this uninformed statements, why have Cameroonians continued to vote for Paul Biya 8 times and are planning to do so again this October 2025? What is so particular in the relationship between Paul Biya and Cameroonians. The answers to these questions are straightforward and clear:
1- Cameroonians know Paul Biya is their best option in a world that is increasingly tumultuous and uncertain.
2- Cameroonians in their vast majority understand that the current opposition candidates are a big risk for the future of the country, seen in their own inability to unify.
3-Despite social media users and his political opponents painting him as bad, Cameroonians see the progress that has occurred in the country under his leadership.
4- Despite various crises, Cameroonians understand that their country remains one of the safest in Africa. They know Paul Biya can resolve tough issues, as he did with Bakassi.
5- Cameroonians are aware of the tact that Paul Biya has deployed to handle the crisis in the North West AND South West Regions.
6- Cameroonians have never failed to receive their salaries under Paul Biya’s leadership even during the most strenuous economic crisis
7- Cameroonians are aware their country is still one of the only African countries where citizens can settle anywhere and live peacefully within the national territory.
8- Cameroonians see the reality in countries that have been changing presidents with no concrete positive results.
9- Cameroonians are aware that the social challenges they face are not unique to their country. President Paul Biya has been fully committed to addressing these issues, despite reports that may be biased.
10- Ask an ordinary Cameroonian on the streets of any city and they will tell you Paul Biya maybe old and tired, but at this point, they don’t see any opposition candidate who can unite and lead the country in peace and stability.
11- By nature, Cameroonians fear the unknown and are rather conservative.
12- Cameroonians see that for now, all those trying to replace Paul Biya are prepared and piloted by people and interests outside the country.
13- Looking from outside, it is easy to think Cameroonians are living under a 4 decade dictatorship but visit Cameroon and you will see that Cameroonians live happier than most other Africans.
14- Cameroonians criticize Paul Biya because they want him to do more for the country not because they hate him or the country.
15- In all of Cameroon’s over 250 tribes, multiple traditions and religions, old age is seen as a blessing and a guarantee for wisdom, reason why Cameroonians still respect and even want Paul Biya to continue.
One can conclude by saying that between Cameroonians and Paul Biya, there has developed a bond that is beyond simple elections and regime change. Most Cameroonians in Cameroon will vote for Paul Biya because they trust him to maintain national cohesion and uphold social, political, and economic progress. This is hard to understand for a westerner using a “western democracy philosophy” prism or by an outsider or a Cameroonian living abroad, but that is the reality on the ground.
Ngalame Henry
