Supporters of Cameroonian President Paul Biya are celebrating an impressive 42 years in power, marking the occasion with rallies, special broadcasts, and renewed calls for him to seek an eighth term.
This celebration comes just weeks after the 91-year-old leader returned to Cameroon following a six-week absence, during which speculation about his health ran rampant. In a letter to members of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (RDPC), party Secretary General Jean Nkuete urged unity among supporters, stating, “Let us mobilize as one behind President Paul Biya to ensure the stability and progress of Cameroon.”
The letter, issued as part of the preparations for the upcoming celebrations, praised Biya’s “fantastic record” and called for an end to what it described as “malicious speculation” about the president’s health. Since taking office in 1982, Biya has become one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, and the letter emphasized the importance of supporting him for another term in the elections next October.
Party members quickly rallied to the call, with supporters in the western region inviting “all Cameroonians, without discrimination based on political opinion, to join us in our call for the candidacy of President Paul Biya.” In the southern town of Ebolowa, Higher Education Minister Jacques Fame Ndongo urged Biya to stand for reelection during a documentary screening dedicated to him.
Despite the fervent support from his party, Biya has remained silent on his political future and has not indicated whether he will name a successor, a topic considered taboo in Cameroonian politics. Following contested elections in 2018, Biya has reinforced his grip on power, often responding to dissent with repression and arrests, according to human rights activists.
His recent absence raised questions about his health, prompting the government to assure the public that the president was well and working from Switzerland. Biya finally returned to Cameroon on October 21, receiving a warm welcome from party members at the Yaoundé airport, although concerns about his mobility lingered.
Since his return, Biya has signed several decrees, including military appointments, signaling his ongoing authority. Supporters insist he is committed to addressing the country’s challenges. Recently, he has been photographed engaging with international diplomats, reinforcing his active role on the world stage.
The latest edition of “Time of Opportunity,” a magazine published by the presidency, dedicates over 50 pages to highlighting Biya’s diplomatic efforts, further emphasizing his ongoing influence. CRTV chief Charles Ndongo encapsulated the secret to Biya’s long tenure, stating it lies in “absence, distance, and silence.”
