Cameroon’s 92-Year-Old President Paul Biya Sends Statues of Himself and Wife to Campaign Event
Oct 6, 2025
Cameroon’s 92-Year-Old President Paul Biya Sends Statues of Himself and Wife to Campaign Event
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statue stand in for Cameroon's
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92-year-old president at campaign
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events. In a moment that has sparked
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both laughter and concern across the
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continent, Cameroon's long-standing
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leader, President Paul Beia, made
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headlines again, not with a speech, but
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with statues. At a recent campaign event
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organized by the ruling Cameroon's
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People's Democratic Movement, life-siz
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statues of President Beia and First Lady
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Chantel Bea were unveiled in place of
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their physical presence. Officials say
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the statues were sent because the
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president, now 92 years old, could not
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attend due to age related limitations.
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President Ba has ruled Cameroon since
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1982, making him one of the longest
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serving heads of state in the world. But
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this unusual act of political
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representation statue standing for real
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leaders has reignited public debate over
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the state of governance, succession, and
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democratic health in Cameroon. While
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some supporters argue that the gesture
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symbolizes loyalty, stability, and
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continuity, critics see it as a stark
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example of political stagnation and a
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government that is increasingly out of
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touch with the people. The reaction
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across Africa has been swift and
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divided. On social media, many shared
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memes, jokes, and biting satire. One
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Cameroonian said, "Only in Cameroon will
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a statue campaign for presidency. We are
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truly in trouble." Others more
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sympathetic acknowledged the president's
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age and suggested it may be time for a
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peaceful transition. But beyond the
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humor, lies a serious message. The
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urgent call for youth involvement,
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democratic renewal, and institutional
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reform in African leadership. As statues
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take center stage in political rallies,
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the question remains, who is really
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leading and for how much longer? Cell
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Media Africa will continue to follow
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this developing story. Stay with us.
