By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
As campaigns for Cameroon’s Oct. 12 presidential election enter their final days, the political atmosphere in the capital city of Yaounde remains subdued, with many residents appearing going on with their normal activities.
While supporters of some candidates have mounted spirited rallies, a significant portion of the city’s populace has remained passive observers.
Many residents view the campaign period as mere political theater, suggesting the extensive noise and fanfare have not translated into widespread public enthusiasm.
A dominant feature across the city is the overwhelming presence of campaign posters for the incumbent, President Paul Biya.
The 92-year-old leader, who has held power since 1982, is seeking an eight term under the banner of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) party.
His placards and billboards are prominently displayed on major arteries, public buildings and in nearly every neighborhood.
However, the near-saturation of Biya’s campaign materials has raised questions about the conspicuous absence of posters for his eight opposition rivals.
Authorities, both at the city and party level, have declined to comment on the disparity. However, the silence from officials has left many Yaounde residents with unanswered questions about the fairness of the campaign’s visibility.
“Looking around the city of Yaounde, you get the notion that only one candidate is running for the upcoming elections,” one resident said. “What is happening to those of the opposition?”
Another resident expressed confusion over the cause. “I have a lot of questions to ask, but from what I am seeing, I am tempted to ask if it is the militants of the ruling party that are tearing up campaign posters of the opposition, or if it is the opposition that has refused to put them up in Yaounde.”
The visibility gap is stark, Ethel, noted she had seen only a handful of posters for an opposition candidate.
“All the billboards are occupied by the CPDM candidate,” Ethel said. “I have only seen two posters for Issa Tchiroma Bakary around the Carrier neighbourhood. I haven’t gone throughout all of Yaounde, but the absence of the opposition posters is worrisome.”
With the official campaign period scheduled to close at midnight on Oct. 11, the city has witnessed continuous campaign caravans as candidates make their final push to woo voters. Despite this last-minute flurry of activity, the visual landscape of the capital tells a story of a deeply uneven contest just days before the polls open.
