Cameroon: Youths, women sidelined in election of all 10 Regional Council Presidents

By Tata Mbunwe

Cameroon’s pioneer Regional Councilors, on Tuesday, voted Regional Council Presidents in all 10 regions but no woman featured. All the men who emerged as Regional Presidents are older than 50 years.

Cameroonians fear youths and women, who constitute more than 70 percent of the population, are losing their chance in the nation’s politics.

Most top ranking officials in the country are men who are over 60 years, ranging from President Biya (87); Senate President Niat Njifenji (86); Speaker of National Assembly Cavaye Yeguie (80); and Prime Minister Dion Ngute Joseph (66).
In the Southwest Regional Council, both the oldest councilor (83) and youngest councilor (25) are males with just one woman belonging to the eight-member Executive Committee of the Council.

According to Manu Pensy, who has been worried about youth and female representation at the Regional Councils, Cameroon’s spearheads (women and youths) will “rust waiting” on old men dominating the Political scene.

Although the country’s laws do not restrict youths and women from holding Political offices, fewer opportunities seem to be harnessed by both groups, as they are continuously being under-represented in the nation’s politics.