Cameroon: Regime supporters celebrate the 34th anniversary of Paul Biya as Head of State

Sunday, November 6th 2016- In Cameroon, regime supporters celebrate this November 6, 2016, which is the 34th anniversary of the accession to power of President Paul Biya.

For the festivities of 2016, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM), the ruling party, organized this Sunday, a series of meetings across the country to celebrate  the"out of touch president" a man of 83 years, including 34  at the head of the state and more than fifty years in the corridors of power in Cameroon. In October 1962 Biya was already Head of Mission at the Presidency of the Republic.

On the occasion, delegations led by party cadres are sent into deep Cameroon for giant mobilizations in place of Paul Biya, who remains locked in his presidential palace.

Mr Biya was a loyal prime minister for seven years, until 1982 - when in a surprise move Mr Ahidjo resigned from office and named Mr Biya president.

Mr Ahidjo held on to the chairmanship of the ruling party, thinking it was a more powerful position than that of president.

But this was when Mr Biya pounced - purging Ahidjo loyalists and eventually forcing the independence leader into exile.

He then proved himself a survivor - foiling two attempted coups, one in 1983 and another a year later.

Mr Biya has said he wants to be remembered for bringing democracy to Cameroon.

He finally gave in to pressure to end the one-party system and in 1992 held and won the country's first multiparty elections with only 40% of the vote - amid allegations of fraud.