Cameroon’s 92-year-old President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest head of state, faces growing political pressure ahead of October’s elections as longtime allies Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari announced presidential bids.
Cameroon’s 92-year-old President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest head of state, faces growing political pressure ahead of October’s elections as longtime allies Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari announced presidential bids. Tchiroma, former employment minister, and Maigari, ex-prime minister, previously challenged Biya in 1992 but later aligned with his regime. Their recent defections, however, appear to have little impact on Biya’s camp. “Nothing new here,” said CPDM spokesperson Fame Ndongo, claiming Biya had “long ago decoded” their intentions. Biya, who has ruled since 1982, remains the automatic CPDM candidate but has not confirmed his candidacy amid growing health concerns. Critics say the north remains impoverished due to continued support for Biya. “Supporting the regime all this time amounts to betraying those people,” said Professor Severin Tchokonte. Both defectors deny allegations of being regime puppets to weaken Maurice Kamto’s opposition. “My determination to serve you remains intact,” Biya affirmed earlier.