Colbert Gwain @The Muteff Factor (formerly The Colbert Factor)
As we analyze President Paul Biya’s October 7, 2025, campaign speech against the promises he made on September 29, 2018, in the same city of Maroua during the launch of his reelection campaign, our sole intention is to help voters—who are heading to the polls this Sunday, October 12, 2025—determine whether his administration has demonstrated the ability to turn promises into meaningful outcomes that address the everyday challenges faced by Cameroonians, and whether he still deserves their trust.
In 2018, concerning the security challenges in the Northern regions caused by the Boko Haram sect, President Paul Biya proudly declared, “Now that the enemy has been repelled beyond our borders, we have to reconstruct, facilitate the return of displaced persons, and do all in our power to recreate conditions for normal administrative, academic, economic, and social life.” Seven years later, on October 7, 2025, the same President Paul Biya stated regarding the same situation, “I am aware that your region is still facing severe security challenges. Under my authority, the defense and security forces are constantly fighting incursions by the terrorist sect Boko Haram, hostage-taking for ransom, and persistent organized crime.” He further stated that he would continue to vigorously fight these invaders, before concluding that: “I have instructed the deployment of our elite units to the particularly hard-hit areas of the Logone et Chari and Mayo Tsanaga Divisions. This is expected to significantly improve the security situation in the region. The improved security situation would have immediate economic and social benefits.”
In 2018, Biya enthusiastically announced plans for the Ngaoundéré-Kousseri-N’Djamena railway line, stating: “And why not say it: is it unrealistic to think that in the very near future, a railway line will link N’Gaoundere and N’djamena through Kousseri? I don’t think so. I will let you imagine the impact of such an achievement for your region and for trade with our neighbors.” However, on October 7, 2025, he not only failed to mention this project but also reiterated promises on another road project he had repeatedly promised to construct: “In regard to strategic roads such as Mora-Dabanga-Kousseri, Ngaoundere-Garoua, and Ebolowa-Akom II-Kribi. We have fought hard over the last few years to raise the necessary funding. Our efforts have finally paid off. To date, the companies responsible for carrying out the work have been selected and have begun deploying in the field. At last, work can begin.”
In 2018, Paul, Cameroon’s president since 1982, was declared the winner of that year’s presidential race with 71.28% of the votes cast. During his campaign, he made several promises to Cameroonians, including restoring peace in the two English-speaking regions, improving the economy, fighting corruption, and enhancing the country’s infrastructure. Seven years on, it’s time to assess whether he has delivered on these promises.
One of Biya’s key campaign promises was to boost the economy and create jobs. However, the reality on the ground paints a different picture. The economy has struggled to grow, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimating a growth rate of 3.8% for 2022, significantly below the government’s 7% target. Many Cameroonians continue to struggle to make ends meet, with the cost of living increasing due to inflation and currency fluctuations.
When President Paul Biya took over power from President Amadou Ahidjo in 1982, the country’s growth rate was 7.45%. This growth was a significant jump from the 2% growth seen in the 1970s, but it did stabilize around this figure in the run-up to 1982, when the country’s economy was considered healthy with relatively high earnings per capita compared to other African countries, placing it in the middle-class category.
According to the latest statistics, the unemployment rate in Cameroon stands at 3.52% as of 2024 (representing 1.02 million), with an average unemployment rate of 3.5% over the decade. However, the youth unemployment rate is a concern, with 6.44% of young people unable to find work, and even those who find work earn less than the minimum wage. This is particularly worrying, given that young people make up a significant proportion of the population.
Biya promised to bring embezzlers of public funds to book, but seven years later, not a single high-profile individual has been indicted. Instead, more corruption cases have been reported, including the Glencoe affair and the mismanagement of COVID-19 and AfCON funds. The lack of action against corrupt officials has created a culture of impunity, emboldening others to engage in corrupt practices.
One major cause of government failure is inertia. The lack of urgency and action in addressing pressing issues has led to stagnation and disappointment. Many Cameroonians feel that the government is not doing enough to address their concerns, leading to widespread disillusionment.
For instance, the people of the anglophone regions have been demanding reforms and greater autonomy for decades, but the government has failed to engage in meaningful dialogue. Instead, the conflict has escalated, leading to displacement, human rights abuses, and loss of life.
Biya’s government has made some progress in improving the country’s infrastructure, including roads and bridges. However, much remains to be done, especially in rural areas where many roads remain in poor condition. The Douala-Yaounde, Douala-Buea, and Douala-Bamenda highways, major arteries connecting the country’s largest cities, are still in need of significant repair, despite promises to upgrade them. The Bamenda Ring Road that President Paul Biya promised to personally supervise since 1987, remains a far cry.
Security remains a major concern in Cameroon, with the country facing threats from Boko Haram in the north and separatist groups in the anglophone regions. The government has deployed troops to these regions, but the conflict continues to claim lives and displace people.
On September 29, 2018, during President Biya’s campaign launch in Maroua, he vowed that, “We need to restore peace in the North West and South West Regions, ravaged by acts of violence perpetuated by secessionists. By meeting the legitimate expectations of our compatriots in the two regions and protecting them against excesses by the so-called liberators, we will prove that their future is truly within our Republic.” Seven years down the line, the situation still seems dicey. In his October 7, 2025 campaign speech in Maroua, he barely made reference to it: “I will continue to act with the same determination in other regions of our country facing similar security challenges.”
In 2018, Candidate-President Paul Biya outlined a 10-point commitment pledge aimed at improving Cameroon, which included: enhancing the living conditions of all citizens, consolidating peace, guaranteeing national unity and the right to diversity, accelerating economic emergence, fostering innovation, increasing the role of women and young people in governance, intensifying the fight against exclusion, promoting Cameroon’s presence in Africa and globally, valuing arts, sports, and culture, and ensuring the defense and progress of the nation.
Seven years after Biya’s re-election, it’s clear that many of his campaign promises remain unfulfilled. The economy is struggling, corruption remains endemic, infrastructure development is incomplete, and security concerns persist. Exclusion has become a system of government. The lack of action against corrupt officials and the inertia in addressing pressing issues have led to widespread disappointment.
Paul Biya’s 2025 campaign is axed on an 11-point agenda, including: preserving peace, unity, security and stability; consolidating freedom and democracy; accelerating the march towards emergence and fiscal consolidation; improving the purchasing power and quality of life of the population; improving the provision of social and basic services; empowering women and youths; accelerating digital innovation and the ecology; strengthening transport infrastructure and improving the urbanization system; completing decentralization; promoting cultural, artistic, and sporting development; and finally, promoting a new Cameroon citizenship.
Upon declaring his candidature last July 13, 2025, President Paul Biya had proudly stated that the results of his stewardship were palpable, visible, and laudable. This declaration was reminiscent of Ozymandias in Percy Shelley’s sonnet when the king declares:
“My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!’ when actually
‘Nothing beside remains Round the decay
Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.”
Pass or Fail? The answer is clear: The answer is blowing in the air. It’s time for a change. It’s Time. For. A. Change.
