Yaoundé – Forty-three years. Let that number sink in. For over four decades, Cameroon has been guided – or perhaps, gently steered into a perpetual slow-motion drift – by the same hand. Some call it stability. Others, those of us with eyes and a penchant for reality, call it the political equivalent of a permanent siesta. Indeed, while the rest of the world has zoomed from flip phones to AI, from analogue to digital, Cameroon has seemingly perfected the art of the charmingly antique. Our beloved nation, a land of staggering natural beauty and even more staggering potential, seems perpetually poised on the brink of greatness… and then politely declines to take the leap.
We are told, with a straight face, that this prolonged leadership offers unparalleled experience. And what experience it has been! An experience, one might argue, in watching oil revenues vanish like dew on a hot tropical morning, leaving little but a lingering scent of what could have been. An experience in seeing our magnificent timber resources become a goldmine for a select few, while deforestation mirrors the thinning patience of the average Cameroonian. We possess bauxite, iron ore, gold – a veritable geological treasure chest – yet a significant portion of our population struggles below the poverty line. Perhaps our resources are too shy to fulfill their potential under such enduring ‘guidance’? Or perhaps, like a child with too many toys and too little supervision, we’ve just scattered them about without thought for tomorrow.
Ah, but the stability! Our leaders, bless their octogenarian hearts, have ensured a certain kind of peace. A peace, mind you, that is occasionally punctuated by the chilling echoes of conflict in the Far North and the heartbreaking tragedy of the Anglophone regions. A peace that demands unquestioning loyalty, where dissent is often met not with debate, but with detention. It’s the kind of stability that makes you wonder if dynamism and progress were somehow excluded from the national vocabulary.
We’ve even perfected our own unique brand of democracy. Elections, for instance, are held with commendable regularity – much like the rising of the sun. The outcomes, too, are often just as predictable. Our President, with the wisdom of Solomon and the energy of, well, a very experienced statesman, consistently secures victories that defy the statistical norms of mere mortals. When main opposition parties boycott an election and the incumbent still wins with over 90% of the vote, you know you’re witnessing a masterclass in electoral efficiency. And when they do participate, allegations of fraud become as common as roadside plantain sellers. One might even call it a cherished national tradition.
The question, dear Cameroonians, is whether this comfortable, predictable, and utterly stagnant stability is truly serving the aspirations of a vibrant, youthful population. Are we content to admire our potential from afar, rather than harness it to truly rebuild and innovate? Do we want our children to inherit a legacy of “what ifs” and “if onlys,” or a nation that finally stands tall, utilizing its vast resources for the benefit of all, not just a privileged few?
Perhaps it’s time for a new generation of leaders. Not just young faces, but fresh perspectives. Leaders who understand that governing is not merely a marathon of endurance but a sprint of innovation. Leaders who see our resources not as personal piggy banks, but as national capital to be invested wisely. Leaders who believe in genuine dialogue, not just the appearance of it, and who will work tirelessly to heal the gaping wounds of division.
Because, let’s be frank, if Cameroon continues on its current trajectory, the only thing “attaining its full potential” will be the age of its current leadership. And while age is indeed a blessing, it rarely comes with a built-in compass for navigating the complex challenges of the 21st century.