作者： admin

Cameroon’s 92-year-old President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest head of state, is vying for an unprecedented eighth consecutive term in office. Having ruled since 1982, Biya’s potential re-election could extend his tenure to nearly 50 years, making him one of the longest-serving leaders in modern history. Despite widespread calls for his resignation, Biya has remained steadfast, even as critics highlight his minimal campaign presence, including a 10-day private trip to Europe during the election period. His reliance on an AI-generated campaign video further fueled backlash, prompting a rushed return to Cameroon to address supporters in Maroua, where he pledged to prioritize women and youth in his next mandate. However, political analysts argue that Biya’s primary focus has been self-preservation rather than improving citizens’ living conditions, a mindset rooted in a failed coup attempt in 1984. With over 60% of Cameroon’s 30 million population under 25, many young activists, like Marie Flore Mboussi, are calling for ‘new blood,’ citing fatigue with Biya’s prolonged rule. The election unfolds against a backdrop of rising inflation, unemployment, and security challenges, particularly in the English-speaking regions where separatist conflicts have led to election boycotts and violence. The exclusion of prominent opposition leader Maurice Kamto from the race has further marred the electoral process, with critics accusing the government of stifling fair competition. Despite these challenges, Biya remains the favorite, with analysts predicting his victory, albeit with a slim majority. The Constitutional Council has 15 days to announce the results, with the interior minister warning against premature victory declarations. As Cameroon prepares for this pivotal election, the nation grapples with deep-seated political and social divisions, raising questions about the future of its democracy.

The UK government is under increasing pressure to provide support for Chagos Islanders arriving in the country to claim their British citizenship, as local councils struggle to manage the influx. Hillingdon Council, located near Heathrow Airport, has reported that 152 Chagossians arrived this week alone, bringing the total number of arrivals since July 2023 to over 600. The council, led by the Conservative Party, anticipates spending £2 million this year to fulfill its legal obligation to assist homeless British-Chagossians, straining its already limited housing resources and financial stability. Many Chagossians are fleeing Mauritius, where they feel unsafe following the UK’s agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. Despite the UK government’s assertion that Chagossians should arrange their own housing before traveling, the surge in arrivals has placed significant pressure on local authorities. The Chagos Islands, a British Overseas Territory since 1814, were formally purchased from Mauritius in 1965. However, the recent £101 million annual deal with Mauritius to maintain control of the Diego Garcia military base has sparked outrage among Chagossians, who view the agreement as a betrayal of their rights. Damien Dursonial, a 35-year-old former police constable from Mauritius, arrived at Heathrow with his family this week, seeking safety and recognition as a British citizen. He criticized the government for shifting the burden of housing Chagossians onto local councils, particularly Hillingdon, which has requested exceptional financial support to avoid bankruptcy. The council has also opened a pop-up processing center to manage the influx, but its resources are stretched thin due to existing obligations to asylum seekers. A government spokesperson emphasized that the Chagossians’ arrival is unrelated to the Diego Garcia agreement and reiterated the availability of British citizenship for Chagossians since November 2022. Meanwhile, Chagossians like Vanessa Mandarin Calu advocate for a clear pathway to return to their homeland, which remains a British Overseas Territory.