Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Mimi Mefo Info
Published on 2024-02-26 14:46:32
As he just celebrated his 91st birthday and the man of November 6th is sick and physically exhausted, the President of the Republic will unquestionably be a candidate for his own re-election in 2025.
Unless there is a major event (death or coup d’état), Paul Biya will unquestionably be a candidate for his own re-election at the presidential election scheduled for 2025. Georges Gilbert Baongla, who has always presented himself as the eldest son of Paul Biya, without official denial, reaffirmed this. As a guest on the set of the program “L’Arène” broadcast on Canal 2 International, yesterday Sunday, Georges Gilbert Baongla indicated that the outgoing president’s candidacy in the 2025 election would suffer no ambiguity.
This affirmation had already been made by several political actors, especially those from the ruling party, and seems to align with the unfolding of events. In recent months, several motions of support have been signed asking the 91-year-old man to seek a new term. This includes a motion of gratitude and deference signed by nationals from the Central, South, and East regions residing in the Littoral region, as well as the avalanche of support motions that rained down on November 6th, during the 41st anniversary of his accession to power.
At the level of the Central Committee of the CPDM, maneuvers are underway to clear the path for the party’s champion. If no congress with the succession of Paul Biya on the agenda is conceivable, the Secretary General of the CPDM is touring the entire territory to rally the troops behind Paul Biya’s candidacy.
On the diplomatic front, Paul Biya has launched a high-level offensive. He has decided to nominate former Prime Minister Philemon Yang for the position of President of the United Nations General Assembly scheduled for September next year. Philemon Yang’s candidature was unanimously accepted during the 37th Conference of Heads of State and Government of the African Union held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a few weeks ago. Philemon Yang has a good chance of being elected in September 2024 as President of the UN General Assembly for a one-year term. A diplomat and magistrate, Philemon Yang is well-versed in the workings of the United Nations. Additionally, the last African to hold the position of President of the UN GA was a Nigerian in 2019. In the political context of 2025, which appears turbulent for Paul Biya on the international stage, Philemon Yang’s presence at the UN could serve as a shield against all maneuvers.
**A President Physically and Intellectually Diminished**
Born on February 13, 1933, Paul Biya celebrated his 91st birthday a few weeks ago, this advanced age naturally makes him a tired man, both physically and intellectually diminished. Even though no official information has suggested that the President would be suffering from any specific illness, his advanced age makes him prone to certain diseases and a loss of autonomy.
Furthermore, the President is now rarely seen in public. The few times he has been seen outside of his lectern for his traditional speeches, he appears as a weakened man barely able to stand on his own two feet.
In governing the country, Paul Biya now relies primarily on decrees that some attribute to him, with many Cameroonians, especially his supporters, doubting that he is the true signatory. No council of ministers has been organized for several years. Several government members who died in office have never been replaced, and the current government has reached a record longevity. Within the state apparatus, his allies are engaged in an open succession war, with ostentatious embezzlement of public funds.
**A Risky Candidacy**
Across the country, discontent is rising with several social crises linked to intermittent water and electricity cuts, as well as the high cost of living. Many observers agree that Paul Biya’s candidacy for the 2025 presidential election is the most dangerous of all his candidacies.
The international community is already very concerned about the situation in Cameroon. In its country report dated 02/20/2024, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) states: “Political risks are increasing, with tensions surrounding the presidential succession and potential repercussions on the region.” The IMF adds: “The factors of fragility include the high debt burden, institutional and governance weaknesses, internal divisions, social exclusion, insurgency, conflicts along borders, and the increasing frequency of climate-related natural disasters.”
Joseph Essama
Read the original article(French) on Mimi Mefo Info
