Biya's oath on eightfold path!.

Calling a spade by its real name, Cameroonians have been suffering under his regime. Basic amenities like electricity, water and roads, are in appalling conditions. Health infrastructure is sick and even in a Regional Hospital like that of Buea, for instance, patients consult in makeshift canopies!

President Biya might not be aware of such inadequacies in the medical services as he is not known to have consulted or visited any of the public health delivery services to see things for himself.

As of unemployment, especially that of youth, which has been described as a ticking time bomb, he has constantly taken note of the threatening situation. 

Above all, there is pervasive corruption, which has been classified as a virus and a reflection of an insidious economic injustice.

In a society mired in a slow and profound anesthetisation of consciences, stifling of the freedoms and liberties, which President Biya introduced in 1990 at the onset of his Rigour and Moralisation policy, those who oppose the system, even peacefully, have ended up in dungeons or gone on exile.

Biya took the oath yesterday as President of all Cameroonians. Speaking at the National Assembly, he promised to stay faithful to the confidence of the Cameroonian people and vowed to work for a “united, stable and prosperous country...”.

Associated Press quoted a commentator who witnessed the ceremony as saying Biya’s inauguration was “taking place in a tensed, yet controlled political atmosphere, marked by deep divisions between the ruling elite and a growing disillusioned populace”.

Biya should understand that not all Cameroonians believe in him. His voting numbers were on the borderline but those who opposed him are not his enemies. Even God still has atheists.

What more of a fallible human like the President! As President for all Cameroonians, he has in all his past speeches to the nation rightly diagnosed the problems facing all Cameroonians.

There is no need attributing part of the problems to extrinsic vagaries, especially in a globalisation era where every Head of State gives preference to the welfare of its citizens.

Such extraneous consequences exist but should not be used as excuses for the suffering majority of Cameroonians, who, daily go through punitive and high costs of living and awful infrastructure, while a few flaunt illicit wealth with provocation.

In his first and only lap on the campaign trail in Maroua, he said: "I know the problems that are troubling you...Youth unemployment is a scourge that affects your region, but also all others…I know the unmet expectations that make you doubt the future. I can assure you that these problems are not insurmountable".

He added that: "We will resolutely pursue our efforts to revive our economy, improve the management of our public finances, develop new sources of funding, particularly through the growth of the mining sector, strengthen our country's international standing, and intensify the fight against corruption and the embezzlement of public funds. We will do so, as in the past, together, united, in solidarity, and determined. I have had the opportunity to tell you that my determination to serve you remains unwavering".

His key words, "together, united, solidarity" are perfect. But without justice, peace, truth, security, and credible elections, the noble ideals the President so eloquently enunciated in his swearing-in speech yesterday, would just be flashing water on a deck's sensitive back.

To succeed where he failed in the last 43 years, he needs to set up a commission for the declaration of assets as stipulated in the Constitution; free all those who have been detained in connection with the October 12 presidential election and conflict in the North West and South West Regions.

He should also order for prosecution of those who used excessive force to kill the October 12 election post-protesters, estimated by the United Nations at 48, and review the Electoral Code that has been scathingly criticised as perforated with loopholes for rigging.

While The Guardian Post congratulates the President for his eighth term, we urge him to begin the mandate, controversial as it may be, with a new cabinet, not only to reflect the eightfold path of Buddhism but Pope Leo XIV's evocations of "peace not rooted in fear, threats, or weapons, but one that has the power to resolve conflicts, open hearts, and inspire mutual trust, empathy, and hope". The "Great Hope" on which his world record eighth mandate swirls around. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3618 of Friday November 07, 2025