A Cameroonian tech entrepreneur based in the United States, Rebecca Enowchong, has urged President Paul Biya to follow through with his recent demand for accountability and reshuffle his cabinet, similar to the dismissal of national football coach Rigorbet Song.
Enowchong took to social media platform X, stating, “Please, @PR_Paul_BIYA, apply the same rigour that you apply to Song and Fecafoot [Cameroon Football Federation] to members of the government. It’s not just in football that we have to be demanding.”
Her comment comes after the Cameroonian government opted not to renew Song’s contract as head coach of the men’s national team, the Indomitable Lions. Coach Song’s dismissal followed President Biya’s public address to Cameroonian youth, where he instructed the Sports Minister to address the national team’s performance.
Biya’s directive stemmed from public discontent with the team’s performance under Song’s leadership, particularly their early exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations held in Ivory Coast.
Enowchong, a vocal critic of the Biya administration, believes that applying the same level of accountability to other government officials could lead to positive change in the nation. Her message resonated with some Cameroonians, who expressed support for her viewpoint, while others questioned whether a coaching change alone would bring about significant development in Cameroonian football.
President Biya’s 1982 rise to power was marked by promises of “rigor and moralization.” However, critics argue that the current administration’s actions contradict these initial pledges.
Paul Biya, the longest-serving President of Cameroon, has faced criticism for several issues and failures during his presidency. Some of the most common failures include human rights abuses, political repression, corruption, economic inequality, handling of the Anglophone crisis, electoral irregularities, youth unemployment, and healthcare and education challenges. Human rights abuses have been reported, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and arbitrary arrests.
Political repression has been criticized for suppressing political opposition and restricting freedom of speech. Corruption remains a significant concern in Cameroon, with Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index ranking Cameroon as a country with a high level of corruption. Economic inequality remains a significant issue, with many citizens facing poverty and lack of access to basic services. The government’s response to the Anglophone crisis has been criticised for its heavy-handed approach, leading to further escalation and human rights violations.
Elections in Cameroon have faced allegations of irregularities, and the government has not implemented effective policies to address youth unemployment. Healthcare and education systems still face challenges, including inadequate resources and disparities between urban and rural areas.
Enonchong’s calls for Biya to apply the same measures across all sectors of governance are, therefore, justified. Focusing on asking for accountability in football and ignoring the widespread failures of his government speaks of hypocrisy.
