Cameroon’s Youngest Presidential Candidate Hiram Samuel Outlines Pan-Africanist Vision

The presidential candidate of the Front des Democrates Camerounais (FDC), Hiram Samuel Iyodi, says he is confident in securing victory in the upcoming presidential election.

Hiram is among 13 aspirants whose files were retained by Cameroon’s Elections management body, Elecam.

He was speaking shortly following the publication of the list of qualified candidates.

“Now, we have to get back on the field to promote our ideals and reforms and to get as many Cameroonians as possible with us to build this victory by October 12,” he said.

“I am pretty much confident in my project, profile, skills, and team. I think we have all that is needed to build the victory, and we will win by October 12.”

At the age of 38, Hiram is the youngest of all 13 selected candidates for the election. 

Key Reforms

One of Hiram Samuel Iyodi’s plans is to make Cameroon visa-free for all African countries.

His views are more of a Pan-Africanist. Hiram plans to abandon the FCFA currency and join a regional currency that can lead to the creation of a African Monetary Fund, thereby stopping reliance on the IMF and World Bank.

On the home front, Hiram plans to bring former president Ahmadou Ahidjo’s corpse from Senegal to give him a dignified burial.

He plans to boost the economy by banning the exportation of raw materials until they are processed to finished goods.

He equally believes that there is wasteful spending. That is why, after taking office, he hopes to reduce the number of government ministries to 20 and also ensure that money stolen and kept in foreign reserves is brought back.

Demilitarise Anglophone Regions

As part of his plans to solve the Anglophone Crisis, he plans to demilitarise the North West and South West regions, followed by an inclusive reconciliation dialogue. 

Some of his policies include providing family birth allowances to parents, establishing single bilingual schools, and removing the President and the Minister of justice from the Higher Judicial Council.