In secondary schools in Cameroon, history students are taught that one of the reasons Cameroonians loved Paul Biya as president was because he was young and handsome.
That was on November 6, 1982, when he became president following the resignation of his predecessor, Cameroon’s first president, Amadou Ahidjo.
His ascension to the highest office of the land predates his impressive career both in education and administration.
He was born on February 13, 1933, at Mvomeka’a, Meyomessala Subdivision, Dja-et-Lobo Division, South Region.
History holds that he wanted to become a Roman Catholic priest. That’s why after completing his primary education in June 1948 from C.E.P.E.: Catholic School Nden, he attended St. Tharcissius Pre-seminary, Edea, between 1948 and 1950. After that he still attended between 1950-1954 the Akono Minor Seminary.
Without fulfilling his priestly mission, he went to Yaoundé, where he attended a secondary school known as Lycée Général Leclerc. This was between 1954 and 1956, and he obtained his baccalaureate 1 and 2 with a speciality in philosophy.
All this was when Cameroon was still under French administration as a colony.
Following his completion of high school studies, he moved to France. Here he studied at Lycée Louis Le Grand, Paris; Université Paris Sorbonne (Faculty of Law); Institut d’Études Politiques, Paris; and Institut des Hautes Études d’Outre Mer. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in public law in 1960, a diploma in political studies, and a diploma.
Paul Biya Enters Government at 29
Having built an impressive educational career during a time when Cameroon had just gained independence from France, he was deemed ready to serve the nation.
President Ahidjo has been ruling an independent nation since 1960. Immediately Paul Biya returned to Cameroon in 1962, Ahidjo, who needed brilliant minds, appointed him Chargé de Mission at the Presidency of the Republic.
Working in such a high-ranking position at the presidency at just 29 was true to the statement that leaders are the youths of tomorrow. Biya served in that position for barely two years, and in 1964, he became Director of the Cabinet of the Minister of National Education, Youth Affairs, and Culture.
His brilliant mind couldn’t permit his employer to allow him to stay long in one position. He was changing positions almost every year. In 1965, Ahidjo then appointed him Secretary-General of the Ministry of National Education, Youth Affairs, and Culture. He did not stay for more than a year because in December 1967, he became the Director of the Civil Cabinet of the President of the Republic.
Returning to the same building where he started his career was quite fulfilling. In two months, he was, in January 1968, appointed Secretary General at the Presidency, a very strategic position.
At the age of 37, he was also having the portfolio of the minister, minister of state and Secretary General at the Presidency.
Prime Minister at 42
He became the first-ever prime minister of a united state of Cameroon at the age of 42. In 1979, Ahidjo signed Law No. 79/2 of 29 June 1979, making the Prime Minister the constitutional successor to the President of the Republic.
Biya, who has not spent more than four years in a position since entering government, stayed for seven years as Prime Minister of the United Republic of Cameroon.
President at 49
On November 4, 1982, it became evident that he was going to be president. Ahidjo had expressed tiredness and tendered his resignation from power, urging the nation to accept Biya.
History had it that it was challenging for Cameroonians to welcome another first in the helm of power. That is because Ahidjo had been ruling for 25 years and was like the father of the nation.
Anyway, Paul Biya on November 6, 1982, was sworn in.
He was 49 and looking energetic. Early in his presidency, his promises of rigours and moralisation resonated with the masses.
As the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and president of the republic, he nearly lost his life due to his independence and unique ideas.
Just two years in power, a rift had occurred with his predecessor, Ahidjo, who is alleged to have attempted to remotely control power from the background. That fighting became public on April 6, 1984, when some elements of the military staged a coup d’état. It was foiled.
Biya changed.
After that, the president, who was being felt by many, became reserved. He tightened security around him, and his appearances were more on TV and radio than in person.
With age catching up on him, too, he has further alienated himself from the public.
He is seen when someone visits the presidency, or he is addressing the nation during the end of the year, or youths on February or during the presentation of new year wishes. All these are television appearances.
There are times he goes abroad and spends much time living in the nation, wondering whether he is still alive or not.
Biya won every election.
In 1990, the wind of change blowing across communist regimes wafted through Cameroon. That was when multiparty politics returned to the country since the abolition in 1966 and later the eradication of the Federation in 1972.
In 1992, Cameroon held its first multiparty elections after gaining independence. Biya won the election, but the social democratic front, led by former chairman Ni John Fru Ndi, claimed that he stole the victory.
Since then, Cameroon has held a couple of presidential elections, with President Paul Biya always emerging victorious.
The presidential election is again coming this October. Other opposition politicians have declared their candidatures. However, Paul Biya, 92 is yet indicate whether he will contest or not.
During his Youth Day message on February 10, he told the youths he will continue to be there for them. That has left many speculating that Biya will run again.
If he does and wins, he would be 99 by the time his mandate expires in 2032.
As the nation celebrates his birthday this February 13, many young people who grow up to know him as president are becoming hopeless. There is unemployment, a high cost of living, poverty, and a crackdown on political dissent, among others, rocking the nation.
