Cameroon’s ruling party, the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), is facing growing internal division just months ahead of the October elections, with ministers and officials openly disagreeing over President Paul Biya’s potential candidacy.
What began as subtle political tension has now erupted into a public crisis, with citizens in the capital expressing concerns about a leadership vacuum. “There’s no one at the helm,” said Yaoundé resident Yves Tuya. “The president’s silence is fueling chaos.”
Political analyst Landry Atagana says the party’s credibility is unraveling: “Ministers are contradicting themselves. Even within the CPDM, there’s confusion and when everything depends on one man, that’s a dangerous place to be.”
Atangana believes the situation has surpassed mere internal dissent. He points to three core problems: lack of direction, absence of a successor, and fear of a power vacuum. The party, he argues, is on the verge of collapse.
Cameroon appears to be heading toward a political shift, as opposition parties and former allies mobilize to challenge CPDM’s 43-year dominance. “Whether the party likes it or not,” Atangana said, “the country is entering a period of transition.”
