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Cameroon after Paul Biya: poverty, uncertainty and a precarious succession battle

Cameroon after Paul Biya: poverty, uncertainty and a precarious succession battle

CAMEROON’S President Paul Biya is 91 years old. He is Africa’s oldest head of state and only one has served longer: President Teodoro Obiang Nguema of neighbouring Equatorial Guinea, who is 82 years old. Biya has been Cameroon’s president since 1982. Prior to that, he was prime minister from 1975. In recent weeks there has been growing speculation about the nonagenarian’s health. Some rumours even suggested that he had died. This led the Cameroonian government to issue a statement banning all reports about his health. These cycles of rumour have recurred whenever Biya has “gone missing” for extended periods of…
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Cameroon president’s 90th birthday marked by cocktail of woes

Cameroon president’s 90th birthday marked by cocktail of woes

AMINDEH BLAISE ATABONG EDITH Kah Walla was at the front of a crowd of students that welcomed Cameroon's new president Paul Biya on a tour of the United States in 1984, full of hope that the young leader would bring stability and democracy, and end corruption. Four decades on, Biya, now the world's oldest leader, turns 90 on Monday. When he cuts a large cake, as he usually does on his birthday, Kah Walla, who was one of Biya's challengers in the 2011 presidential election, will not be celebrating. Her support for Biya evaporated over the years as economic progress…
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Cameroon’s Biya is Africa’s oldest president: assessing his 38 years in power

Cameroon’s Biya is Africa’s oldest president: assessing his 38 years in power

CAMEROON’S President Paul Biya celebrated his 88th birthday recently, making him the oldest president in Africa. He has been in power for 38 years. Birthday celebrations held across the country were met with protest by the opposition, demanding that he step down. So, how has he acquitted himself in office, and what has been his legacy for Cameroon? JULIUS A. AMIN, Professor, Department of History, University of Dayton Cameroonians welcomed Biya when he became president in November 1982. The peaceful transfer of power by his predecessor Ahmadou Ahidjo won Cameroon praise as an example to emulate in Africa, where leaders…
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