Bamenda youths raise funds to support Biya
Hundreds of unemployed youths in Bamenda gathered at the historic Congress Hall on Saturday to declare their support for President Paul Biya ahead of the 2025 presidential elections. The crowd, mobilised under the youth wing of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (YCPDM), raised a reported 7 million CFA francs, signaling what organisers called a strong endorsement of Biya’s leadership.
The event, tagged a “mega show of loyalty,” drew senior CPDM officials, youth leaders, and supporters from across the conflict-ridden North West Region.
“Today we are happy to gather and pledge our support to the Head of State because he is a man of the youth,” said Dr. Bonuh Clement, CPDM chargé des missions for Ngoketunjia.
CPDM’s National Youth President, Auguste Essomba, praised the contribution as a sign of genuine political backing.
“I see that President Paul Biya is popular in Bamenda and he has the support of the youth. Their gesture of money means true support. I hope that all of them are registered so that in October our candidate will succeed,” Essomba said.
Senator Regina Mundi, acting as the party’s regional coordinator, called for more than just symbolic gestures.
“Each youth must be a campaign manager for the Head of State. We want action now. They must register, vote, and be disciplined,” she urged.
Despite the enthusiastic tone from CPDM leadership, allegations of misrepresentation and underpayment have emerged, particularly from commercial motorcycle riders who led convoys to the venue.
“We were at Tradex Upstation since 7 a.m. and escorted officials to the Congress Hall. After five hours, all they gave us was 2,000 francs each,” complained one visibly frustrated rider.
Another participant expressed dissatisfaction with the portrayal of their role.
“2,000 francs is too small for a bike rider for 5 hours. And to think they used us to say ‘we the youth’ have declared support. That makes me sad.”
Sources indicate the riders were initially promised 1,000 francs worth of fuel, leading to frustration when expectations went unmet.
The political climate in Bamenda remains tense. The rally has sparked widespread debate over the authenticity of youth support for Biya, particularly as the region battles chronic unemployment, infrastructure decay, and a protracted separatist conflict that has claimed many young lives.
Some participants asserted that recent appointments of local figures and promises of development projects motivated them. However, some youths reported that expectations of financial compensation played a significant role, as they received less than half of the promised 5,000 francs.
“There is a growing concern that such rallies are less about political conviction and more about immediate financial incentive,” said a Bamenda-based political analyst.
At 92 years old, President Paul Biya, who has ruled Cameroon since 1982, plans to seek another seven-year mandate in the October 2025 presidential election. As political tensions rise in the Anglophone Northwest, this youth-led event adds a new layer to the ongoing debate about Biya’s legacy and continued leadership.
Whether the 7 million CFA youth donation represents genuine support or is a calculated political maneuver remains a matter of public scrutiny.
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