It’s time for African youth to rise and lead

AFRICA’ independence since the beginning of the 1960s has been hugely characterised by dictatorship, authoritarianism, ineptitude, corruption, and maladministration.

- KENNETH KGWADI

PAUL Biya, 92, decided to run for president in Cameroon's recent elections, demonstrating that Africa is regressing in its efforts to elect young leaders, says the writer. | Les Echos

Those who were known to be the freedom fighters have come to be known as the oppressors of the same people they used to claim to fight on their behalf. The African youth who were born in the postcolonial years are subjected to poor governance, poverty, lack of education and economic opportunities, unending wars and conflicts.

The decision by the 92-year-old, Paul Biya, to stand for presidency in the recent elections in Cameroon has proved that Africa is regressing in terms of adding youth leadership in its political ecosystem rather than electing old people who are collapsing their respective countries.

It is clear that the Cameroonians were and are not happy under the four decades of rule under Biya, which is characterised by gross corruption, inequality, and ethnic tension. Biya, the longest-serving leader in the world, does not seem to care about the lives lost and displaced in the post-election conflict.

On the other hand, the usual loud silence by the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) is enabling the dictatorial and repressive behavior of Biya.

In his 43 years of tyrannical rule in a country that promised to transform into an economic hub of Central Africa, Biya abused his power to undermine and weaken the state institutions to ensure that he and his cronies would never be held accountable for their treasonous conduct over the years.