Biya Says CPDM Must Win Presidential Vote ‘Decisively & Transparently’

The ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement party (CPDM), led by President Paul Biya, has unveiled its campaign plan for the upcoming presidential poll, in which Biya instructs that the party’s ambition is to win “decisively and transparently”.

In a circular, Paul Biya, the party’s chairman since creation in 1985, instructs militants that his re-election campaign must be anchored on unity, modernity, persuasion, and direct voter engagement.

Biya shocked the world and drew international media attention when he announced on July 13 that he was a candidate for the upcoming polls, despite ruling Cameroon since 1982.

His recent circular suggests Biya is very much planning on winning the election, as his government faces accusations of sidelining prominent opposition figure, Maurice Kamto, from the race.

Already the world’s oldest Head of State, Biya will be 99 years old when his next seven-year mandate ends in 2032 and he would have been President for 50 years—if he wins the upcoming election.

In his recent circular addressed to CPDM grassroots leaders and supporters, Biya prescribes four pillars for his re-election campaign.

“Our ambition is to win this election decisively and transparently,” he stated, highlighting “unity, modernity, persuasion, and contact” as the guiding principles.

The campaign of unity, he explained, will involve inclusive teams representing Cameroon’s diverse sociological makeup, empowering women and youth.

He instructed that the campaign should leverage social media and digital platforms.

“The creative and innovative communication spirit of the youth… is put to use for an attractive, effective, and modern electoral campaign.”

Persuasion, the third pillar, focuses on countering disinformation with facts drawn from the CPDM’s achievements.

“We address our compatriots by presenting the reality of facts. We adopt dignified and respectable postures. We avoid vulgarity and provocation,” Biya stated.

The campaign of contact prioritizes door-to-door outreach, with teams engaging voters in villages, neighborhoods, and associations.

“The campaign of contact speaks to both the heart and the mind, with heart and reason. It facilitates listening and dialogue. It knocks on doors,” the circular stated.

Based on the circular, Paul Biya is not planning on meeting Cameroonians in all 10 regions of the country to talk to them himself and convince them to vote him, like leaders in most democracies do.

He is shifting that responsibility to his CPDM militants, who have traditionally run his campaigns in previous elections.

President Paul Biya is known for not engaging with Cameroonians, except through televised speeches.

And ex-Ministers like Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who resigned from the government in June, said President Biya’s age makes him incompetent to rule and his office is now being run by those around him.

Although Cameroonians are used to not seeing him engage with them face-to-face, some voices have been demanding that the President runs his own campaign and even hold a presidential debate with other candidates, if he is competent to lead the country.

History professor, Victor Julius Ngoh, was quoted opining that Presidential candidates be able to able to run their own campaigns, and engage directly with the electoral—an opinion that appeared directed towards President Biya.

But this may appear far-fetched to the 92-year-old, who sometimes goes up to 40 days without being seen by citizens.

The CPDM has established a multi-tiered campaign structure, establishing a National Campaign Commission, Regional and Special Commissions in Douala and Yaoundé, Departmental and Communal Commissions, and Neighborhood or Village Committees.

A dedicated External Campaign Commission will coordinate the campaign abroad. These structures will oversee voter support, monitor polling stations, and ensure CPDM representation in legal electoral bodies like the National Vote Counting Commission.

The party also commits to collaborating with allied parties and supporters to promote “peace, unity, democracy, and progress.”

The announcement comes amid heightened controversy over the rejection of opposition leader Maurice Kamto’s candidacy by Elections Cameroon (ELECAM).

This prompted criticism from figures like Akere Muna, Tomaïno Ndam Njoya, Alice Nkom and Alice Sadio, who called Cameroon “the laughingstock of sub-Saharan Africa.”

The CPDM’s circular, however, avoids addressing these criticisms, focusing instead on mobilizing its base for a decisive victory.