From promises to paralysis: one year of Biya’s extended mandate

Twelve months after President Paul Biya secured an extended mandate, Cameroon finds itself at a critical turning point where stated ambitions clash with sluggish implementation. The 1982-born leader launched his renewed term with lofty promises of economic revival and institutional modernization. Yet, as the first anniversary of his prolonged presidency passes, stakeholders both domestically and internationally are scrutinizing the widening gap between rhetoric and tangible progress. The ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) faces mounting pressure to explain why key promises remain unfulfilled.

Elections and anglophone crisis: unresolved challenges stalling progress

The electoral system remains the most contentious issue in Cameroon’s political landscape. Despite years of debate, the long-promised reform of the electoral code has yet to materialize following the 2018 presidential polls. Opposition figures like Maurice Kamto and Cabral Libii continue to demand a complete overhaul of Elections Cameroon (Elecam), the electoral body criticized for its lack of independence since its establishment in 2006. No official timeline for reform has been announced.

The anglophone crisis, triggered by 2016 protests in the Northwest and Southwest regions, persists as another stumbling block. While the 2019 major national dialogue resulted in a special status for these regions, implementation remains uneven. Ongoing clashes between security forces and separatist groups continue to disrupt local economies, particularly the cocoa sector, which is heavily concentrated in anglophone zones. The United Nations estimates hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons remain stranded in the crisis zones, a figure that has barely declined over the past year.

Economic stagnation and security pressures shape investor sentiment

Macroeconomic performance reflects persistent challenges. Cameroon’s GDP growth hovers between 3.5% and 4% annually, according to the Bank of Central African States (BEAC) and Bretton Woods institutions—far below the rate needed to absorb the country’s growing youth workforce. Public debt stands at around 45% of GDP, constraining the government’s ability to fund new infrastructure projects or stimulate economic growth.

Security threats add further complexity. In the Far North region, attacks by Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa continue to target communities around Lake Chad, despite the presence of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) involving Cameroon, Nigeria, Niger, and Chad. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) consistently ranks the region among the most vulnerable in the Sahel. While military spending has been maintained, no new security doctrine has been unveiled since Biya’s mandate extension.

The succession question looms over Cameroon’s future

Behind the delays in reform lies a pressing question: succession. At over 90 years old, President Biya is Africa’s longest-serving leader. The 2008 constitutional revision removed term limits, leaving the transition pathway unclear. High-ranking officials, including Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute and CPDM strategists, are positioning themselves ahead of upcoming legislative and municipal elections, fueling speculation about the post-Biya era.

The political transition in Gabon in August 2023—marked by a military-led shift—has amplified concerns among Cameroon’s economic partners, including France, China, and multilateral lenders. Investors in key sectors such as hydrocarbons, the Kribi port, and telecommunications are closely monitoring signals from Etoudi Palace. As of now, no official announcement has altered the institutional framework or publicly opened discussions on a post-Biya transition. With the second anniversary of the prolonged mandate approaching, the coming year will test the credibility of Cameroon’s leadership.

By Mariama Hamani — Journalist