Biya's legacy in question!.

Those enticing promises of national integration, rigour and moralisation, have been replaced with other catchy rhetoric such as "living together", “fighting against hate, tribalism, insurrection, Cameroon will not cease to exist"... etc

In that deadly polarised situation, Cameroonians "seeking to distinguish themselves or to serve, often sought refuge abroad”. 

“The local terrain appears rigged against success. Despite the hurdles overseas, victory remains attainable. In their homeland, life equates to a relentless waltz; with death, a draining existence marked by resilience and savoured in the process," as  Prof Eric Essono Tsimi, Assistant Professor of Francophone Cultural Studies at the City University of New York, writes in the African Argument think tank.

But the Biya fan club has, however, come out with two other versions of the arguments, ahead of the October 12 presidential election.

The first volume focuses on "Paul Biya's Community Liberalism, an Idea of the State and National Unity." The second volume is titled: "Paul Biya's Community Liberalism, a Vision of Man and Development". 

At their launch, in a symposium in Yaounde last Wednesday, the Minister of State for Higher Education and Press Officer of the CPDM, represented the chief character of the publication, titled: "Paul Biya's Community Liberalism, an Idea of the State and National Unity" and "Paul Biya's Community Liberalism, a Vision of Man and Development". 

Unity and development are the two key words in the books and his representative described him as: "Paul Biya is today the embodiment of wisdom in the circle of Heads of State". 

But are Cameroonians united when the separatists of the North West and South West Regions, continue to attempt to split the country, even if for seven years running, the dream appears to fizzle out with each passing day? Are Cameroonians free to assemble and protest peacefully, when they feel their inalienable human rights and freedoms have been violated?

Is there justice, when expressions like "our hands are tied" and "lack of competence," have been heard in the judiciary circle? Is the electoral process impartial to ensure peaceful elections? Are there equal opportunities for Cameroonians; as the reign of President Biya gradually draws to an end, as nothing lasts forever?

The Head of State himself has admitted that there are "challenges", some from abroad attributing them to the war in Ukraine and most home brewed.

What is, however, efficient has been the CPDM machinery, ensuring presidential continuity, which paradoxically mitigates the ensuing of social chaos and in recent times with the same party with the band of Councillor Léon Theiller Onana overtly challenging the palace stool without blinking.

Given his sage, magnanimity and experience, Biya is certainly aware that the much-trumpeted rigour and moralisation have not been achieved. He is on record as having conceded that "...integrating" the people of the North West and South West Regions "failed".

His new vision is on unity and development, but is time not running out at his advanced age of 92?

Can he achieve that in the next seven years, if given the votes, come October 12? 

Genuine commentators close to the seat of power have conceded it is the President's wish to ensure there is peace and unity, when he inevitably leaves office; either through nature's call or his own volition.

The sticky issue is the question of succession, to ensure the peace, unity and freedoms he preached in Communal Liberalism and the new publications.

Critics believe the best scenario is to win the October election by hook or crook and introduce a constitutional review.

In recent times, the media was agog with reports of the President’s powerful Minister of State, Secretary General at the Presidency, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, leading a secretive group, supported by advisers, Jean-Claude Awala Wodougué and Luc Sindjoun, along with constitutional law experts to effect a comprehensive overhaul of Cameroon’s political, administrative and electoral structures.

By that thinking, there should be the reintroduction of the post of Vice President, appointed by the Head of State. 

In case of a vacancy the Vice President, by that proposal, will complete the term of the incumbent, before organising another election.

Despite the proposals in the media, the government made no comment, which might have been an acceptance of the draft, especially given that an Anglophone should be the Vice President and vice versa, as it was before the death of the federal system.

What, however might change in the proposed amendment is that the post of Vice President, which shall not be the second personality in the country, could go to a Francophone and the Senate President, second top spot in the political ladder, assigned to an Anglophone. 

However, that remains speculative, until the constitution, which should also bring the term limit to five years renewable once, is introduced. But until then, the Biya legacy remains in question, if he does not win the October 12 poll.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3523 of Monday August 04, 2025