Cameroon Roundup: Biya's bid for 8th term, forests and natural wealth, LGBTQ rights

Biya, 92, seeks 8th term amid growing dissent in Cameroon

At 92, Cameroon’s President Paul Biya has announced his bid for an eighth term in the October 12 election, aiming to extend his 43-year rule. In a post on X, Biya cited “insistent calls” from citizens to run again. In power since 1982, he scrapped term limits in 2008 and has never lost an election. His bid comes amid growing criticism over alleged corruption, embezzlement, and poor governance. If re-elected, Biya would remain in office until nearly 100.

Cameroon’s economic update: Harnessing forests and natural wealth for sustainable growth

The World Bank has released its 2025 Cameroon Economic Update, titled “Cameroon’s Green Gold: Unlocking the Value of Forests and Natural Capital.” The report emphasises sustainable forest and resource management as drivers of inclusive, resilient growth, while offering a detailed analysis of recent economic trends and outlook. In 2024, Cameroon’s GDP grew by 3.5% (up from 3.2% in 2023), boosted by cocoa prices, cotton yields, and power supply improvements. Inflation dropped sharply from 7.4% to 4.5%, aided by tighter monetary policy and price controls. The current account deficit narrowed to 3.4% of GDP, though the fiscal deficit widened to 1.5% due to rising expenditures and weaker revenues. Public debt inched up to 46.8%, mainly from external borrowing.

Société Générale signs agreement with Cameroon to sell Société Générale Cameroun

Société Générale has agreed to sell its 58.08% stake in Société Générale Cameroun to the State of Cameroon, which would raise its ownership to 83.68%. The state will assume all operations, clients, and employees of the subsidiary. The deal, pending regulatory approval, is expected to close by end-2025 and boost Societe Generale’s CET1 ratio by about 6 basis points.

Cameroon LGBTQI groups host "impactful" cultural event

On July 3, Yaoundé’s Kyriakides Park came alive with “Spectacle Culturel,” a vibrant event celebrating diversity in the arts under the theme “For an inclusive and non-discriminatory artistic environment.” Organised by the Unity platform, a coalition of 39 civil society groups, and coordinated by CAMFAIDS, the show featured theatre, music, slam, and dance to highlight LGBTQI rights and fight stigma in the cultural sector. Unity president Michel Engama stressed the event’s goal to amplify silenced voices, while CAMFAIDS' Ebenezer Munkam called it a vital step toward building a more inclusive and equitable artistic world in Cameroon.

Cameroon priest says synodality counters ‘nauseating’ politics

In sharp contrast to the “nauseating” and divisive nature of Cameroon’s electoral politics, Father Humphrey Tatah Mbuy is calling for a renewed focus on synodality, a path rooted in unity, listening, and inclusion, as the nation prepares for its 2025 elections and Jubilee Year of Hope. Mbuy described synodality as a “spiritual renewal” that prioritises truth, honesty, and fraternity, unlike election tactics marked by manipulation and exclusion. He noted the challenge facing Christian politicians caught between political strategy and the Church’s call for inclusive, Christ-centred leadership. As both politics and the Church demand action in 2025, Mbuy stressed that synodality offers a hopeful alternative where “no one is left behind” in building a unified people of God.