President Paul Biya returned to Cameroon on October 21, 2024, after a trip to Europe and Asia, during which he took part in the 4th Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). The return of Cameroon’s Head of State comes shortly before the opening of the ordinary session of Parliament in November, a budgetary session which enables the State budget for the following financial year to be voted. Paul Biya’s return also comes just a few days before the celebration of the 42nd anniversary of his accession to power on 6 November. In recent weeks, some people have been spreading false information on social networks about the alleged death of the Head of State.
The President of the Republic, Paul Biya, returned home on October 21, 2024 after a trip to Europe and Asia, during which he represented Cameroon at the highest level at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing from September 4 to 6, 2024. In recent weeks, some people have relayed false information on social networks about the alleged death of the Head of State, but Paul Biya is showing his detractors that Cameroon is still governed.
For the opponents, the message is more political. He came to tell them that the political game can now continue and that access to the presidential office is through elections and not through death or dying wishes for the person who holds political power. Cameroon has its own mechanisms for devolving power. In Cameroon, power is devolved through the ballot box. There was no point in worrying our fellow citizens or national and international opinion.
Alex MVONDO, Political analyst
President Paul Biya’s return comes shortly before the opening of the budgetary session in Parliament, which is usually convened in November to vote on the State budget and the broad socio-economic guidelines for the following financial year. In addition to the priority projects being carried out in the areas of access to drinking water, electricity and road infrastructure, 2025 will also see a major issue at stake: the possible renewal of the Head of State’s term of office with the holding of presidential elections.
We are going to see a significant increase in the State budget. This budget will have to take into account the various electoral operations to be held next year. In operational terms, the budgets of the institutions involved in the electoral process will have to be increased.
Alex MVONDO, Political analyst
President Paul Biya, who returned to the country two weeks before the celebration of the anniversary of his accession to the supreme magistracy, and who could, if he so wishes, seek the vote of Cameroonians again in 2025, will already see CPDM militants commemorating the 42nd anniversary of his accession to power on November 6, 2024. On this occasion, the party he leads is expected to recall President Paul Biya’s record in developing Cameroon, defending the country’s sovereignty and the socio-political progress made under his leadership.