Let President Paul Biya Resign and Allow Cameroon to Breathe

By Abraham Amah

In a world where democratic transitions are becoming the symbol of a nation’s maturity, the continued stranglehold of President Paul Biya over Cameroon has become an anachronism in African governance. At 95, with over four decades in power, President Biya’s return from a hospital stay in Paris not to rest, but to prepare for another presidential campaign, is not only worrying—it is tragic. A new dawn beckons for Cameroon, and it begins with the graceful exit of its longest-serving leader.

Cameroon, a nation of over 28 million people, is too rich in culture, intellect, youth, and natural resources to remain shackled by the ambitions of a single individual. Paul Biya became president in 1982, a time when Ronald Reagan was in the White House and Indira Gandhi was still Prime Minister of India. Nearly every leader who rose with him has long exited the stage. The irony of his prolonged rule is that it has offered neither political stability nor economic transformation. Instead, it has become a case study in how excessive power consolidation can stifle national potential.

The recent reports that the French Embassy in Yaoundé has been effectively overseeing Cameroon’s affairs during President Biya’s medical absence is a diplomatic red flag. It reflects a dangerous precedent—where the sovereignty of an African nation is subtly compromised under the guise of post-colonial ties. While France, Cameroon’s former colonial power, has every right to maintain diplomatic relations, it must exercise caution. No foreign power, especially one with a colonial legacy, should be seen to usurp the internal workings of a sovereign nation.

France must understand that its role in Africa, particularly in Francophone countries, is being re-evaluated by a younger generation demanding dignity, independence, and mutual respect. The paternalistic model of governance assistance must give way to partnerships based on equality. If France is perceived to be propping up a nonagenarian leader against the will of his people, it risks not only losing credibility in Africa but igniting a backlash that could affect its interests in the region.

For decades, Cameroonians have endured a system characterized by authoritarianism, political suppression, endemic corruption, and economic inertia. The Anglophone crisis, which has festered into a humanitarian disaster, is symptomatic of a deeper rot—an administration that has lost touch with its people and thrives on military repression instead of democratic dialogue. Biya’s continued presence at the helm offers no prospects for national healing, unity, or development.

History is replete with examples of leaders who, in their twilight years, stepped aside and left a legacy of honor. Nelson Mandela ruled for just one term and left with dignity. Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, long before the pressures of time, bowed out and set the tone for peaceful transitions. Even Robert Mugabe, under intense national and regional pressure, eventually relinquished power. President Biya must now heed the call of history and allow a new leadership generation to emerge.

Cameroon’s constitution has been amended multiple times to suit the political ambitions of its ruler. Term limits were scrapped in 2008, allowing Biya to perpetuate his reign. But laws should not be eternal instruments of convenience—they must reflect the collective will and aspirations of the people. Cameroonians want a country governed by vision, innovation, and accountability—not by absenteeism, opacity, and gerontocracy.

Furthermore, the legitimacy of elections under Biya’s administration has always been contested. The electoral commission is widely viewed as compromised, and opposition parties operate under a repressive atmosphere. What then is the essence of another election under the same leadership, using the same tainted structures, to deliver the same recycled results? Cameroon does not need another election—it needs a new beginning.

Biya’s continued quest for power is not only morally and politically unjustifiable, it is medically irresponsible. A man who has spent significant periods of time in European hospitals, away from the very citizens he seeks to govern, should not be considering another term. Leadership is demanding. It requires mental clarity, physical agility, and emotional resilience—qualities understandably diminished with age.

The international community, particularly the African Union, ECOWAS, ECCAS, and the United Nations, must take a principled stand. The silence of multilateral institutions in the face of obvious democratic regression is tantamount to complicity. Africa cannot continue to be the continent where leaders rule until death or disgrace. A framework for peaceful, constitutional transitions must be enforced not only in theory but in real-time diplomatic engagement.

Most importantly, the people of Cameroon must realize that the change they seek will not be handed to them—it must be demanded peacefully but firmly. Civic education, electoral participation, and social consciousness must be rekindled. While football brings national joy, governance determines national destiny. Cameroonians must begin to care more about the quality of leadership than the number of World Cup appearances.

In conclusion, this is not a personal attack on Paul Biya—it is a patriotic call for generational justice. He has had his time—longer than most. But the sunset of his era must not dim the sunrise of Cameroon’s future. Let him step down in honor, so that history may remember him not for how long he ruled, but for the wisdom he showed in finally letting go.

Elder Amah, a frequent commentator on current issues, writes from Umuahia, Abia State