Vox-Pop: What Is Your Assessment Of Biya's 26 Years In Power?

Compiled By Chris Mbunwe, Francis Tim Mbom, Olive Ejang Tebug Ngoh, Elvis Tah & Eugene Che

Peace-loving Statesman
President Biya is a peace-loving visionary statesman who has achieved a lot for Cameroon within 26 years. He handles major challenges with tact, intelligence, tolerance and patience.

This is seen in the recent return of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon through negotiation and dialogue. Biya's conciliatory approach in the management of conflicts has led to the defusing of internal social tension on several occasions, making Cameroon an island of peace.

Since 1982, President Biya conceived Cameroon as an open society where social justice prevails. Democracy is a household commodity today in Cameroon politics. The spirited fight against corruption, embezzlers and misuse of public property all indicate his resolve to close the gap between the rich and the poor.
Prince Ekale Mukete, CPDM Meme I Section President

Time For Change!
I think Biya's balance sheet is on the negative scale. It is as though within 26 years, we have regressed 200 years. Companies have been privatised, others have been shut down and Cameroonians are suffering. And we have endured this suffering for too long. I think it's time for change.
Armand Nkamgang, Air Conditioner Technician, Douala

Biya Should Look For A Successor
We have suffered so much within these 26 years. We don't have jobs and the few jobs we have do not give us any reasonable remuneration. And Biya is not always in the country. The last time he went out, he spent more than two months abroad. Perhaps he is anticipating his departure already.

But the good thing about Biya is that he is a man who does not like war, and for that I really appreciate him. All we want is peace. But if he thinks that he is tired of ruling this country, he should look for his successor and leave us in peace.
Ipoda Bilond, Plumber, Douala

Biya Has Achieved A Lot
President Biya has succeeded in maintaining peace in Cameroon for 26 years. The people of Cameroon enjoy his astute leadership in this era of political pluralism. The president has also implanted laudable economic recovery measures that have resulted in Cameroon's attainment of the HIPC Completion Point.

The great diplomatic victory through wise and peaceful handling of the Bakassi crisis also cannot be overemphasised. Biya has also mounted a relentless fight against corruption and the drive for good governance is recorded. I think the President has really achieved a lot.
Ntoko Mekolle Epie, CPDM Section President, Kupe Muanenguba III, Tombel

Country Has Enjoyed Some Peace
I think in Biya's 26 years of leadership, the country has enjoyed peace to a certain extent. Even though I must confess that the absence of war does not entirely mean there is peace. This is because some Cameroonians seem to be at war in their hearts.

Basically, there is some internal war going on in the minds of some Cameroonians because of poverty, unemployment, lack of access by some graduates into some of the professional schools in the country.

In all, since one cannot buy peace, one would say that Biya has succeeded in managing this fundamental element of humanity, which I think has given his 26 years at the helm of Cameroon some political weight and victory.
Ebong-Pende Epiekesseh, Communicator, Limbe

Biya Taught Others How To Steal
I can only say that Biya in his 26 years at the State house has only succeeded in making common Cameroonians miserable, for if you really take a look from when he took over power, there have been no major improvements; the economy has rather been stagnating. You find that while the population is increasing, things are going worse by the day.

He has made Cameroon to become one of the world's most heavily indebted nations, while they go on lining their pockets with the people's money. In all, he has only taught Cameroonians to steal from the state coffers. There is nothing that he will be remembered of in the positive sense.

Rene Tasa, Jeweller, Limbe

Disappointing Reign
Biya's reign since 1982 has been a disappointment to Cameroonians. Cameroonians expected a government of action and not a government of reaction; a government that listens to the cry of its people and not a government of instruction; an administration that takes care of everybody, not a puppet government.

Cameroonians had expected a government that would make everybody feel at home, but is has turned out to be that Cameroonians are suffering more than when Biya came to power. Cameroonians are now running out of their own country because there is no comfort. They are not safe, because if you don't belong to Biya's party, you are nobody.

As the CPDM party celebrates Biya's 26th anniversary, I think Cameroonians should come out and decry the suffering that they have gone through all this time, because I see Biya as one of the tyrants we have in Cameroon.
Elvis Ngala, Retired Teacher

Nemesis Has Caught Up With Biya
Every ruler's reign has two sides; the ruler either rules very well or badly. The worst is when a ruler rules for a very long time. This is because the ruler exhausts the ability he has and the tendency will be to start repeating everything over and over. I believe that nemesis has caught up with Biya on the throne.

You see, in good democracies, a ruler should have a limited mandate so that by the time people start discovering who they are; they should have already left the throne and people would appreciate them more and more. 26 years in power is gross exaggeration.
Abraham Neba, Translator, Buea

Biya's Reign Is Frustrating
Biya's 26 years has been a very bad stay in government because Cameroon is going worse everyday and there seems to be no remedy. The international community knows that Cameroon is doing fine, but things are not moving normally. We cannot live a good life in our own country.

The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Wealth has not been equitably distributed in Biya's regime. Biya's government has frustrated many people.
Emmanuel Jumbam, Student, University of Douala

Biya's Reign Is Peaceful
I know Biya is doing his work just fine. He is managing the country well, and there is no war. Despite the high level of unemployment, there is relative peace all the same. And that's what interests me.
Caroline, Call Box Operator, Douala

There Is Freedom Of Expression
I think President Biya has done a lot within his 26 years in power. There are so many changes. We have images today from both public and private press; we now have good roads, many schools and free flow of communication. There is also freedom of speech as at now, compared to the reign of his predecessor. So, in a nutshell, I think he has done much for this country.
Emmanuel Eseye Isume, former CPDM Sub-section President, Buea

Biya Lacks Vision And Political Will
It is quite unfortunate that for more than a quarter of a century, Biya has demonstrated that he lacks the vision and the political will to rule this country. Come to think of it, he is a president who does not know his country.

We have 58 divisions in Cameroon and for 26 years now, Biya has not visited up to 15 of these divisions. He has worked with more than 30 governments for his 26 years, giving an average of one government; a new government each year. It's quite unfortunate for us Cameroonians that we seem to be heading to no where
Kenneth Foncha, Educationist, Buea

26 Years of Backwardness!
I am very confused because very little has been achieved by President Paul Biya in 26 years.  Rather, I will say Biya has taken the democracy and the economy of Cameroon 26 years back. Everywhere Cameroonians are crying for help and no one is listening. We used to make money, but today, most mechanics are switching to farming and other jobs.
David Tanto, Motor Mechanic, Nkwen, Bamenda

Done A Lot
Biya has achieved a lot. For example, we are the most stable African country now and this is because President Biya loves and cherishes peace. Then after the severe economic crisis that hit the country some 12 years ago, two years ago, Biya made tremendous efforts to stimulate economic growth rate.

This can be seen in the number of some major investment projects like tarring of roads linking provinces; the Douala-Nkongsamba-Dschang road, the tarring of Finance Junction to New Layout to Veterinary Junction in Bamenda, the tarring of the Bamenda Food Market and the stretch of road from the foot of Sabga across Ndop Town to Mile 27, Ndop.

So many secondary and primary schools, universities and health units have been created during Biya's 26 years. The list is long.  Before 2010, he will achieve more.
Daniel Ntoh, Mayor, Ndop Council

Milking The Nation Dry!
I am not comfortable assessing President Biya's 26 years in office. One thing stands out very glaringly, unemployment and abject poverty are the legacy. Those who were shouting happy anniversary, Mr. President! are those who have been milking this country dry and God has reserved special punishment for all of them.
Stephen Chia, Teacher, Northwest Delegation of Education

Biya Is On The Right Footing
Biya is doing his work well. He has put the country on the right footing. Without him the country cannot move. I am happy because Biya is there. Without him, I don't know on who else we could have counted. I know Cameroon will be fine and everybody will be happy. I hope Biya will continue with his good works.
Thierry, Security Guard, Douala

Much Is Still Needed
Elsewhere, Biya has achieved a lot in socio-economic activities and that is why we are pleading that he should use the remaining years in office to see how Fru Awa can have a road after 40 years.

Biya, it should be noted, brought multi-partism and those of us from the CPDM party are satisfied so far with the schools and health units he has created though much is still needed.
Fon David Akau, Mayor Fru Awa

Things Have Become Difficult
Since Biya came to power, things have become so expensive and life has become more and more difficult. We don't know where else to go. Children cannot go to school and youths cannot get jobs. In fact, the country has gone so bad.
Serge Nana, Motorbike Rider, Douala

Nothing Concrete
I am saddened that you ask me such a question, because I do not see anything concrete that Mr. Biya has done in the last 26 years. If you look at what former President Ahidjo accomplished in fewer years, and the length of time that Mr. Biya has been in office, you see that we can basically score Biya zero percent.

Look at the Tiko-Douala road, Douala-Yaounde road, the nice buildings - the Ministries in those days and even the Hotel de Deputés where MPs live that has been in absolute disrepair and everything else. So, you see that Mr. Biya needs to wake up. You can recall that this is a President who made a promise to the Northwest population when he came visiting the province, that he was going to personally supervise the tarring of the Ring Road, until tomorrow the Ring Road is still in a horrible state.

I do not think that Mr. Biya would love to be remembered in Cameroon as somebody who came through Cameroon and left a legacy. I hope he will step down in 2011 and let other people who want to see Cameroon progress to improve the nation the way we want it to be. Others are saying or Cameroon is a peaceful nation. I differ, because we are just a docile people and the day we will stand up, the situation in Cameroon will be worse than what obtains in the Democratic Republic of Congo or other nations that are experiencing rampant killings. 
Hon. James Bujong, MP Tubah/ Bafut

There Has Been No War
I thank my God because within these 26years there has been no war. The only bad thing is the suffering which we are going through. We don't also have jobs. But I think Biya is doing his best. It's not easy.
Honoré, Hardware Seller, Douala

Biya's Importance Not Felt
For 26 years, there hasn't been any change. Biya is a president whom we just hear about, but don't really find him important. All we know about him is his dirty politics and most of us just support him without even knowing what we are doing. I cannot remember anything he has really done of importance.
Florence, Bar/Restaurant Tender, Douala

Democracy And Tribalism
In summary, the 26 years President Biya has ruled Cameroon is characterised by democracy and tribalism. I will congratulate Biya for a peaceful reign so far. The common man has felt the impact of education and health in the nooks and crannies of Cameroon.

There is freedom of speech and expression. But it is regrettable that the regime has been characterised by acute tribalism and the marginalisation of Anglophones.
Manaseh Ngoe Masue, ANDP National Youth Coordinator

Biya Has Failed!
President Paul Biya has achieved little or nothing in his 26 years in power. It is despicable for a president to stay out of the country, knowing fully well that there is a text in the Constitution that forbids him from staying out of the country for one or two months. It means he is out of office. He has failed.

Looking at the whole issue, even his closest collaborators are now despising him, like his most trusted bodyguard who allegedly stole FCFA 3 billion from his suitcase. His actions are raising so many questions. Where was Biya going with that amount of money which is enough to pass for a state budget of two African countries? At the same time, they are arresting and detaining other ministers who stole billions, what about him?
Joseph Ngwa Ngaling, Botanist, Buea

Peace And Poverty
Biya's 26 years in power has been characterised by great achievements as well as failures. Cameroon has evolved in the area of democracy, education and health. There is peace and stability in Cameroon. However, the economy has crumbled since Biya took over power.

There has been privatisation of State institutions at the detriment of the population. The increasing price hikes has led to poverty and untimely deaths. Biya has been too slow to take action against embezzlers of State funds. This has contributed in crippling the economy. Though he has achieved, I think the time for change is at hand.
Bertin Tsakeng, CEO, BEVDETA, NGO, Kumba

Comments

[Delors]

The reactions of the various persons are grouped as follows:

Those who have seen a lot of achievements by the biya totalitarian regime in 26 years are sub section presidents, former subsection presidents and those that steal with him and those that have contributed in the destruction of Cameroon. They see the end of this satanic regime as their own end. But time will tell.
The next group is of course the group seeing no achievements in 26 years which is universally true. Biya regime has pushed the country 200 years behind and generations will pay for it.

Another group is the group I would call confused group or a group that does not reason beyond their shadow. To them there is peace because there is no war and they can eat and sleep even if they are not sure of the next day. Some of them are cameroonians but they do not know Cameroon and some come from villages but do not know these villages. For example what are we going to say about this socalled mayor of Ndop who cited the tarring of Douala Nkonssamba road as an achievement of biya and he went ahead to cite certain areas in bamenda town tarred by the regime.He talked of sabga with tar. How did this man became a mayor. What do ndop people expect from him when he does not even know himself. Was that the only person in ndop. That man is a real native fools and from him, we now know what ndop is. Does that coward sees. Someone who saw ndop 30 years ago will only weep seeing it today. What a shame. Mayor folk you

[red flag]

THESE MORONS HAVE JUST FORGOTTEN THE MASSACRES THAT JUST HAPPENED LAST FEBRUARY, WHERE YOUNG MEN WERE BRUTALLY SHUT DEAD BY BIYAS ARMY, 3000
WERE ROUNDED UP AND JAILED JUST FOR ASKING FOR JOBS AND LOW PRICES FOR FOOD.
PAUL BIYA POLICE KILLED SOUTHERN CAMEROONIANS STUDENTS, IN BUEA, KUMBA, BAMENDA , RAPED 13 YEARS OLD, DESTROYED THE ECOSYSTEM AROUND IDENAU,VICTORIA WITH RAW WASTE FROM THE FRENCH-CAMEROUN REFINERY OF SONARA.
THE REFINERY THAT DOESNT EVEN EMPLOY THE NATIVES, IT NEVER PAYS TAXES IN SOUTHERN CAMEROONS BUT TO BIYA, ITS PRODUCTS OIL IS NOT EVEN STORED IN TANKS IN SOUTHERN CAMEROONS BUT TO PAUL BIYAS OWN COUNTRY, THE AGRICULTURAL COMPANY CDC, IS STOLEN AND SOLD BY PAUL BIYA, SOUTHERN CAMEROONS ANGLOXAON EDUCATION IS STOLEN AND CONTROL BY HATE-FILLED PAUL BIYA, WHO SENT IN HIS NATIVE FRENCH FOREIGN SPEAKING GOUVENEURS TO ANGLOXAON SOUTHERN CAMEROONS. PAUL BIYA THE SATAN WHO TOOK 10M DOLLARS BRIBE FROM ISREAL TO HAVE THEN TEST A NEUTRON BOMB IN SOUTHERN CAMEROONS IN NYOS, THAT KILLED 3000 OF OUR CITIZENS, PAUL BIYA WHO STATED IN OARIS IN 2006, THAT HE HATED ENGLISH CULTURE, THAT HE WOULD DO ALL THAT IT TAKES TO MAKE CAMEROUN A PURE FRENCH SPEAKING COUNTRY. PAUL BIYA
WHO FINALLY HAVE FORGOTTEN THAT AT 30 YEARS OLD, IN 1961, BRITISH SOUTHERN CAMEROONS WAS A SELF GOVERNING FOREIGN COUNTRY, THAT HIS CAMEROUNS BOUNDARY END S AT THE MUNGO RIVER, BUT HE IS THE ONE CLAIMING OWNERSHIP OF BAKASSI, 45 YRS AFTER. WHAT KIND OF A SATAN IS THIS? WHAT KIND OF A MONSTER IS PAUL BIYA. IS HE WORTH ANY THING BEEING ALIVE? NO NO. I BET THE WORLD WOULD BE A BETTER PLACE WITHOUT PEOPLE LIKE IDI AMIN,
ADOLPH HITLER.MUSSOLINI, PIETER BOTHA. AND
JEAN BEDELL BOKASSA AND PAUL BIYA.

[rexon]

Everybody knows that Biya has been a curse to Cameroonians. Even his closest associates are just damn afraid to say so, but he is wanted by almost every rightminded Cameroonian. The killings, the theft of state resources like Tole tea, Crude oil, the constitutional manipulation, etc are just a few of the crimes that he needs to be tried for. Long live the Southern Cameroons.

[espoir]

biya will be remembered for rendering a whole generation of cameroonians hopeless and refugees in search for a better life.
may God forgive him.peace

[Delors]

Red flag we should not forget the MASS GRAVE AT MBALMAYO WHERE THOUSANDS OF NOTHERNERS WERE KILLED AND DUMPED IN THE NAME OF COUP D'ETAT OF 1984. WE NOW SEE TODAY THAT THE NORTHERNERS WERE RIGHT.

[Delors]

I hear some of you talking about biya diplomacy to gain back bakassi but could not use the same diplomacy to have Prof. Maurice Kamto to get elected to become a Judge at the International Court of Justice. With all the going around and spending the tax payers money where is Kamto. Don't you people know that the name biya is already a defeat.