Biya’s longevity in power, experts suggest ways

As in Senegal and Burkina Faso, experts want a coalition between civil society and political parties.

Cameroonian experts revealed on Thursday that Biya’s longevity in power, 33 years, is explained by the "disorganization" and "demobilization" of political parties and civil society organizations (Cso).

In a book written by Jean Bosco Talla, Mathias Éric Owona Nguini, and Guillaume Ngnepi, entitled "Civil society and political commitment in Cameroon", the three Cameroonian experts who stated they have "investigated and analyzed the issues of the Cameroonian political and social context" claim that the "disruption" and "demobilization" of political parties and civil society organizations (Osc), explain Biya long stay at the top of the state.

According to them, the only "organized" coalition, which is so strong between (CSO) and political parties may allow the alternation in Cameroon.

Mathias Eric Owona Nguni said, "Cameroonian political parties refuse to work together and display their differences with each election," as they were able to check during the various presidential elections.

Jean Bosco Talla added that some activists are "stuck" with fear. The fear of being killed, fear of going to jail and afraid to leave their family or relatives. This was to justify the reluctance of Cameroonian activists to demonstrate as in Senegal and Burkina Faso.

"As long as the opposition and civil society organisations will not be organized to confront the ruling party," there will be no alternation in Cameroon, they continue.

Note that Cameroon has nearly 200 political parties and 40 000 civil society organisations recorded. Among the CSO, 75.4% are relatively "young". The oldest is the National Union of Producers of Cameroon (Synapcam), created in 1972 but absent from the socio-political debate.

Less than 5% of these political parties participate in the democratic play. And only 7 political parties are represented in parliament.

The failure of Cameroon to boost a movement of alternation at the head of the country, would find its justification in the inexperience of the majority of SCO, which more than three quarters (75.4%), were created between 1996 and 2009, the experts think, conclude the three experts in the book, presented to the press this week, will be published in 2016.