Africa | Politics
Cameroon’s 89 Year Old President Biya Celebrates 40 Years in Power
Most Cameroonians have only known one president
Monday, 7 November 2022
By: TB Obwoge
Yesterday 6 November 2022 the country celebrated 40 years of rule under their President Paul Biya. Biya whom was born 13 February 1933, took office 6 November 1982. He’s said to be worth over $200 million USD and makes an annual salary of $620,976 USD. The American presidents are paid $400,000 USD a year. Paul Biya is the highest paid African president. The majority of Biya’s wealth is said to be tied up in Europe where he owns several mansions.
![[[File:Paul Biya with Obamas 2014.jpg|Paul Biya with Obamas 2014]]](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Paul_Biya_with_Obamas_2014.jpg){kind=link}
..critics of the Biya regime were wearing black on Sunday amid the celebrations.
“Nov. 6 is considered a day of national mourning because Mr. Biya inherited a rich, prosperous and growing country,” said critic Darling Nguevo. “And he set about unraveling every sector of life and society.”
“Corruption has made its bed in the country. So has bad governance. Paul Biya is old and his public appearances are rare, and this is happening against the backdrop of the succession battle,” he added.
Biya is Africa’s second-longest serving leader: The president of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, has been in power since 1979.
Biya was Cameroon’s prime minister and became president in 1982 after his predecessor, Cameroon’s first president following the country’s independence from France, stepped down due to health reasons.
One popular Cameroonian news paper outlet refused to cover the 40th year in office of President Biya. He was noticeably absent from their reporting even the day after. Many Cameroonians even reacted with an angry face emoji on the few outlets that posted photos of his celebration with cake and his close family members.
Biya was however on Sunday’s Central African Republic’s news paper cover.
Thousands rallied in Cameroon’s capital on Sunday to fete 40 years in power of President Paul Biya, who is accused of trampling on human rights and stifling democracy.
The 89-year-old is the world’s second longest-serving leader, except monarchs, after Equatorial Guinea’s Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has been in the saddle for over 43 years.
Biya did not attend the event in Yaounde dubbed a “regional mega-rally”.
His public outings, except for a few choreographed TV appearances, have become rarer and rarer in recent years, stoking speculation about his health.
Since a highly contested re-election for a seventh term in 2018, Biya has maintained tighter control over Cameroon, where even his supporters don’t dare mention succession.
Sources say his security forces have been cracking down on any Cameroonians speaking out against Biya. Or suggesting that he should be ending his 40 year grip on the office of President in the country. The rare photos of his celebration show a much older Paul Biya then the many photos circulating of his much younger face.
At almost 90 years old the leader looks frail and weak as his wife stood by his side almost leading him like a child. Biya knows it is time for him to step aside, his family just appears to be awaiting the reward of his millions and mansions in Europe.
Note: Chantal Biya is Paul’s second wife his first wife Jeanne-Irène Biya died at the age of 56. Also many believe his san Frank Biya will take over after he is no longer president.
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