89 years old and 40 years in power. Teeth are going missing and gums are too old to hold artificial replacements.
He may not even be fully aware at all times that he is President of Cameroon. But the ruling CPDM party is dispatching party officials to towns and villages to organise conferences to celebrate his 89th year anniversary and mobilize support for the old man ( the curse of African despots). They say that Biya has stayed long in power because the majority of Cameroonians love him and always vote for him …..sounds familiar ? They are calling on the Octogenarian to run for presidency in 2025. Meanwhile Biya said he has plenty of time to decide whether to run in 2025 or not. He will be 92 .
In a similar manner, in Uganda the 78 years old Tibuhaburwa Museveni in his characteristic style of circumventing democracy in electing the ruling party’s internal processes of selecting a flag bearer, has, through different fora, already started to clandestinely come out to declare him as the sole candidate for the ruling party despite the fact that campaigns for the forth coming elections are three years ahead.
Mr. Museveni is on record for pointing out that Africa’s major problem are its leaders who cling onto power past their usefulness.
Mr. Museveni himself has been president of Uganda since 1986 todate. Museveni captured power after a 5 years guellira war in Luweero district.