In the heart of Central Africa, Cameroon stands at a curious political crossroads — one where age and experience dominate every corridor of power. A recent viral image circulating on social media paints a striking portrait of the country’s top leadership — not for their achievements, but for their collective longevity.
At the helm is President Paul Biya, a man whose name has become synonymous with Cameroon’s modern history. At 92 years old, Biya has ruled the nation since 1982, outlasting multiple global leaders, economic cycles, and even generations of Cameroonians who have known no other president. His longevity in office has earned him the nickname “the sphinx,” a figure of mystery and endurance.
Beside him in the upper echelons of power are men of nearly equal vintage. Clément Atangana, the 91-year-old President of the Constitutional Council, still dons his ceremonial wig and robe, presiding over constitutional matters with the gravitas of a bygone judicial era. Claude Meka, also 91, serves as Chief of Staff of the Cameroon Army, a symbol of military loyalty to Biya’s decades-long rule.
The country’s legislative arms mirror the same generational tone. Marcel Niat Njifenji, President of the Senate, is 84 years old, while Cavaye Yegué Djibril, Speaker of the National Assembly, clocks in at 85. Completing the picture is Laurent Esso, the Minister of Justice, aged 83, a man who has spent more than half a century in public service.
Together, these six men have a combined age of over 526 years — an extraordinary statistic that raises deep questions about generational transition, governance, and the future of leadership in Cameroon.
Critics argue that this “council of elders” represents a political system frozen in time. To them, the image is more than a collage — it is a mirror reflecting the challenges of renewal in a nation where power remains tightly held by a small, aging elite. For younger Cameroonians — most of whom were not yet born when Biya first assumed power — this picture underscores a sense of political stagnation and exclusion.
Yet, for supporters, these leaders embody stability in a volatile region. Cameroon, straddling linguistic divides and facing security challenges, has managed to avoid the full-scale turmoil that has plagued some of its neighbors. To them, the endurance of Biya and his team is evidence of experience and institutional continuity.
Still, whispers of change grow louder. Civil society voices, opposition figures, and a restless youth population are increasingly calling for renewal — not just in age, but in ideas and governance.
As the world looks on, the question lingers: how long can a nation thrive when its leadership is anchored in the past?
In Cameroon’s story, age is more than just a number — it is a statement of power, persistence, and perhaps, an unending struggle between continuity and change.
