President Paul Biya celebrates 26th anniversary in power amidst mix feelings

President Paul Biya, has just celebrated the 26^th anniversary of his accession to power amidst mixed feelings by Cameroonians.

By Yemti Harry Ndienla

They are clearly disappointed with their head of state. That despite inheriting a prosperous Cameroon from his predecessor, Ahmadou Ahijdo, he has ended up plunging the country into political – socio – economic chaos. However, a few people see him as having recorded some success.

“Paul Biya’s 26 years in office have not been a complete failure. It is true that no regime is perfect. Biya, for the past 26 years, has achieved some successes as well as recorded some failures. His regime has succeeded in maintaining political stability and peace, and in bringing about democracy and freedom of speech and expression. The opening of many schools in most remote areas is another success. However, he has failed to elevate the standard of education, provide employment and social facilities, and fight against poverty, embezzlement, corruption and favouritism” says Alain Atamoh. Like Atamoh, Victor Che believes Biya has recorded enough success politically, economically and socially though accepting there is much to be done. Hear him, “Politically, he has maintained peace and stability. Economically, he has increased the price of cocoa, and socially, he has succeeded in providing social facilities like water and electricity, and has opened many schools even in the most remote areas. But he still has a lot to do to reduce crime, fight unemployment and hardship, and reduce the prices of basic commodities”.
However, Ngong Rexs intimated that Biya’s 26 years in power have been a complete disaster as to what Ahijdo did especially in terms of infrastructure. “Ahijdo was an industrious president. But when Biya took office, mismanagement came and the country started depending solely on France and other donor countries for the development of Cameroon. For 26 years no good road has been built. Cameroon has all the resources to be a rich country, but mismanagement and embezzlement among other ills have made us beggars. I think it’s a disgrace to Biya”, he opined.
For 26 years Etaka Franklin says Biya and his collaborators “have been a complete failure. Biya’s regime seems to be proud to have won the corruption trophy twice. It is a regime characterised by unemployment, corruption, bribery, embezzlement, kidnapping, killing, insecurity, capital flight, exploitation, dictatorship, repression and depression, prostitution, deteriorating living conditions caused by uncontrolled prices of basic needs, among others”. That Cameroonians have been in bondage since 1982 when Biya took office. That Anglophones in particular are unable to enjoy social facilities like electricity, roads, a good communication network, water, among others and are thus regarded and treated as foreigners in their own country.