Bamenda: March 24, 2025, marks the fortieth anniversary of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), founded in the Grass Fields town of Bamenda. Over the past four decades, CPDM has been the ruling party in Cameroon, with a significant portion of government officials among its members.
According to Cameroon News Agency, despite the party’s claims of numerous achievements, many citizens remain discontented with the CPDM’s performance. One of the primary concerns is the prolonged leadership of Paul Biya, who has helmed the party for its entire existence. At 92, Biya’s continued leadership raises questions about the party’s dedication to democratic principles, a core part of its name.
Furthermore, President Biya’s advanced age has prompted discussions about the party’s future leadership. Nonetheless, elite militants within the party are advocating for his candidacy in the upcoming October presidential elections for yet another seven-year term.
The CPDM’s electoral success has often been marred by allegations of undemocratic practices. Insiders and observers have pointed to questionable methods employed by the party to maintain its stronghold on power.
Human rights organizations have highlighted numerous violations over the past four decades, with press freedom particularly under threat. Journalists and dissenters face the risk of incarceration or even death. Corruption remains a significant issue, with Cameroon consistently ranking poorly on international corruption indices. Tribalism and nepotism have further entrenched a ruling class composed of specific ethnic groups and families.
Bamenda, the birthplace of the CPDM, is emblematic of the party’s failures. The region has suffered from an eight-year-long socio-political conflict, resulting in thousands of deaths, mass displacement, and the destruction of infrastructure. The conflict, rooted in longstanding grievances of Anglophone marginalization by the Francophone majority, continues to escalate under CPDM’s rule.
Despite repeated promises, the plight of Anglophones remains largely unaddressed, leading to increased calls for secession. The conflict has severely disrupted education, with many schools in the North West and South West regions closed or repurposed as military facilities.
CPDM events in English-speaking regions are typically attended by officials who rarely reside in their constituencies, often departing swiftly after celebrations. This disconnect further highlights the growing dissatisfaction among Cameroonians, who yearn for improved infrastructure and basic services.
As the CPDM marks its fortieth anniversary, the party faces mounting pressure to deliver on its promises, such as the development of the Limbe Deep Sea Port, and to address the longstanding grievances of the Anglophone community and the wider Cameroonian population.