Latest news with #PaulAtangaNji
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
World's oldest president eyes eighth term - at the age of 92
As the world's oldest head of state, Cameroon's president is seeking re-election in October in a move that would extend his 43 years in power. Currently 92 years-old, another seven-year term could see him remain in power until he is nearly 100. So far his tenure presents a mixed picture, marked by both support and criticism. President Paul Biya first took power in 1982 and has not lost an election in the central African nation since. Under his governance, Cameroon survived an economic crisis and moved away from one-party rule. Biya also claimed on X that his latest decision to run followed "numerous and insistent" calls across 10 Cameroonian regions and the diaspora. But during decades in power, his administration has faced backlash over embezzlement, corruption, bad governance and insecurity. In 2008, democratic backsliding led to the abolition of term limits - allowing his continuous re-election. Concerns have also been raised about his health and ability to govern. During a six-week mysterious absence from public eye last year, authorities banned the media from discussing the president's health. As rumours of ill-health quickly spread, interior minister Paul Atanga Nji said such stories 'disturb the tranquillity of Cameroonians'. The president's health was deemed a matter of national security and 'offenders' were threatened with legal action. Notorious for long periods of time spent abroad, Biya in 2018 held a cabinet meeting for the first time in more than two years. An investigation supported by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) found that Biya spent a third of the year abroad in some years, such as 2006 and 2009. Along the way he missed key events, including a 2016 train accident which killed 75 people and the violent repression of protests over the marginalisation of Anglophone minorities. The protests set off what later became a separatist insurgency in English speaking provinces, who have historically complained of discrimination in Francophone-dominated public institutions. This year's election also comes as Cameroonians face climbing living costs and high unemployment. Confirmation of Biya's candidacy in a post on X on Sunday followed a rift with long-term allies in northern regions, who had previously been key in securing northern votes. Prominent minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary and former prime minister Bello Bouba Maigari left the governing coalition and announced their candidacy separately. 'A country cannot exist in the service of one man,' Tchiroma said. If elected, Tchiroma has offered a referendum to devolve power as a solution to the so-called Anglophone crisis. Elsewhere Biya's supporters and members of the ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement have publicly backed his candidacy since last year. Human rights groups have criticised the perceived crackdown on dissent. Parliamentary elections that were due to take place in 2024 were also delayed until 2026.
India Gazette
24-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
India donates 1000 metric tonnes of rice and essential medicines to Cameroon
Yaounde [Cameroon], June 24 (ANI): India handed over 1000 metric tonnes of rice and essential medicines to Cameroon. Cameroon's Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, and India's High Commissioner to Cameroon, Vijay Khanduja, presided over the ceremony on Monday to hand over rice and essential medicines. The Indian High Commission in Cameroon noted that this humanitarian gesture aims to support victims of floods that struck Cameroon's far north region in 2024. According to the statement, India, through this humanitarian support, reaffirmed its role as a reliable partner to Cameroon during challenging times and strengthened cooperation among nations of the Global South. In a post shared on Facebook, the Indian High Commission in Cameroon stated, 'Strengthening Friendship and Solidarity. A Handing-Over Ceremony was held in Yaounde today to officially mark the donation of 1,000 metric tonnes of rice and essential medicines from the Government of the Republic of India to the Government of the Republic of Cameroon. The ceremony was jointly presided over by H.E. Paul Atanga Niji, Minister of Territorial Administration of Cameroon, and H.E. Shri Vijay Khanduja, High Commissioner of India to Cameroon.' 'This humanitarian gesture is aimed at supporting victims of the devastating floods that struck the Far North Region of Cameroon in 2024, reflecting India's solidarity with the people of Cameroon during times of need. Through this humanitarian support, India reaffirms its role as a reliable partner to Cameroon during challenging times and strengthening cooperation among nations of the Global South,' it added. Earlier in April, India sent a consignment of 1,000 metric tonnes of rice to Cameroon. Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the effort is in the spirit of a committed partnership with the Global South. In a post on X, Jaiswal stated, 'India: A committed partner to the Global South. India sends food-grain assistance for the people of Cameroon. A consignment of 1000MT Rice departed today from Nhava Sheva Port to Cameroon.' Notably, India and Cameroon have friendly and cordial relations dating back to the latter's independence in 1960. India opened its resident High Commission in Yaounde in 2019. Earlier, in 2009, a USD 37.65 million Indian Line of Credit (LoC) for Cameroon, funding a project each of Rice and Maize Farm Plantation, was operationalised, and this project was completed in 2017, according to the Indian High Commission in Cameroon's statement. India has been supporting Cameroon's efforts in Capacity building under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Program since 1964. The Indian government also provides over 180 ITEC slots annually for capacity building in Cameroon. Three slots have been allocated to Cameroon under the Africa Scholarship Scheme of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). (ANI)
