Every Cameroonian presidential campaign comes with a catalogue of promises. As President Paul Biya positions himself for yet another run at the top job, the question many voters are asking is a simple one: what happened to the commitments made the last time he asked for their votes? This feature sets out the main pledges of his previous campaign, the categories they fell into, and the evidence citizens can use to judge them.
The promise of great achievements
The last Biya campaign was built around the idea of transforming Cameroon into an emerging economy through large infrastructure projects. Hydroelectric dams, a deep-sea port, new highways and modernised urban roads were presented as the backbone of a programme that would create jobs, cut electricity shortages and open up the regions. Supporters of the ruling CPDM party argued that these projects would change the face of the country within a single mandate.
Some of the flagship works did break ground, and government communication has repeatedly highlighted inauguration ceremonies and construction sites. Critics, however, point out that a project launched is not a project delivered. Delays, cost overruns and questions about who benefits from the contracts have followed many of the big works, and several roads that were announced remain incomplete or in poor condition.
Jobs for young people
Youth employment was one of the most emotional themes of the campaign. The government announced special recruitment drives into the public service and promised that the infrastructure boom would absorb young graduates. In practice, young Cameroonians continue to describe unemployment and underemployment as their biggest daily concern. Many graduates work in the informal sector, ride commercial motorbikes or look for opportunities abroad.
Health and education
Promises to expand hospitals, equip regional health facilities and improve schools featured prominently in speeches. New structures have appeared in some towns, but patients and teachers frequently complain about shortages of staff, equipment and medicines. In the North West and South West regions, the education system has also been at the centre of the Anglophone grievances, which shows that building classrooms alone does not settle deeper questions of language and governance.
Governance and the fight against corruption
The campaign also promised a tougher fight against corruption and better management of public funds. High-profile arrests of former officials under Operation Sparrowhawk have been cited as proof of commitment. Opponents counter that the operation is selective and that institutions such as the anti-corruption commission lack the power to name and pursue those responsible.
How to judge the record
Measuring delivery requires more than slogans from either side. Voters can check whether announced projects exist and function, whether local services have improved in their own communities, and whether official figures are published and independently verifiable. Where documents are missing, the honest verdict is that a promise remains unproven.
As the next election approaches, the record of the last mandate deserves the same scrutiny as the new promises that will soon be made. A long incumbency means the president can no longer present himself as a newcomer with untested plans: the results, or their absence, are now part of the campaign itself.