By Nalova Akua and Wilson McMakinThe Related Press
YAOUNDE, Cameroon (AP) — Cameroon voted in an election Oct. 12 that would see Africa’s oldest chief prolong his rule by one other seven years.
Analysts have predicted a victory for President Paul Biya. Now 92, he can be 99 by the point his time period finishes. He first got here to energy in 1982 following the resignation of Cameroon’s first president, Ahmadou Ahidjo, and has dominated the nation since then. Biya was declared the winner of seven subsequent elections. Cameroon has seen simply two leaders since independence in 1960.
Nonetheless, cracks could also be showing in Biya’s picture.
His well being has routinely been a subject of hypothesis as he spends most of his time in Europe, leaving day-to-day governing to key get together officers and members of the family.
Dr. Benjamin Akih, an activist and professor at Syracuse College, believes that the opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary might win attributable to Biya’s age and his lengthy monitor document of working Cameroon.
“I feel this election is totally different. Mr. Biya was the weakest candidate the CPDM might put ahead on account of his age and the poor state of the nation after his 43 years in energy,” he stated.
“Within the face of an more and more tough worldwide setting, the challenges dealing with us are an increasing number of urgent,” Biya stated in asserting one other run. “In such a state of affairs, I can’t shirk my mission.”
Biya faces 9 opposition candidates, together with some former allies and appointees. They embrace Bello Bouba Maigari, who was minister for tourism, and Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who till not too long ago served because the minister of employment.
Biya voted at a main faculty within the capital Yaounde, telling reporters that he wouldn’t touch upon his plans till the outcomes had been in.
Outcomes are anticipated on the newest by Oct. 26.
Joshua Osih, an opposition candidate for president for the Social Democratic Entrance and a member of parliament who got here fourth within the 2018 election, advised The Related Press his get together was fearful about voter fraud however careworn that the method of counting the votes might be lengthy.
“There may be nonetheless loads of room for progress to make issues smoother. Sadly, the bottlenecks as we often say are the a number of ballots as a substitute of single ballots and likewise the truth that the method is absolutely cumbersome,” stated Osih.
There’s a single spherical of voting in Cameroon and whoever will get probably the most votes is the winner.
Cheukam Ginette, a 34-year-old environmentalist and first-time voter, stated she received’t select Biya.
“Issues have to alter. Initially, life is dear, getting medical care shouldn’t be straightforward,” she stated exterior of a polling station in Yaounde. “There aren’t any roads, we’ve got potholes all over the place. Every thing is ruined. That’s why I voted for the opposition. I would not have confidence within the electoral course of as a result of we all know our nation however I’m hopeful.”
At a marketing campaign rally final week within the northern metropolis of Maroua, Biya promised change for considered one of Cameroon’s poorest areas. The predominantly Muslim north accounts for practically 20 % of the eligible voters, and Maigari and Bakary command sturdy followings there.
Cameroon faces escalating safety crises. Within the western area, a secessionist struggle is being fought between primarily English-speaking separatists who declare they’re marginalized by the French-speaking majority, and authorities forces. Within the north, the Boko Haram insurgency spills over from neighboring Nigeria, with armed teams routinely attacking border cities.
At the least 43 % of the inhabitants dwell in poverty as measured by core dwelling requirements reminiscent of revenue, schooling and well being, in response to U.N. estimates.
Round 8 million voters, together with over 34,000 abroad, are eligible to vote at greater than 31,000 polling stations within the Central African nation. Cameroon has a inhabitants of over 29 million folks, a majority overwhelmingly younger.
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McMakin reported from Dakar, Senegal.
