Dr Peter Taniform, reflects on 44 years of the New Deal, highlighting President Biya’s development legacy while calling for lasting peace, job creation, effective decentralisation and national unity.
In this interview, Dr Peter Taniform, President of the CPDM Mezam IA Section, reflects on the New Deal’s major achievements, impact and ongoing pursuits. Drawing on his political, local and international development leadership experience, he discusses national development, decentralisation, the Special Status of the North West and South West Regions, youth empowerment and peacebuilding. He also considers what these national priorities mean for communities and political leadership at the grassroots.
1\. Forty-four years after President Paul Biya assumed office, what does this anniversary represent to you, and how would you characterise the New Deal?
Forty-four years is a significant chapter in any nation’s history. This anniversary invites us to look beyond commemoration and assess the institutions we have built, the challenges we have confronted and the aspirations we have yet to fulfil.
For me, the New Deal represents a political vision anchored in national unity, peace, institutional continuity, democracy, modernisation and development. When H.E. President Paul Biya assumed office on 6 November 1982, Cameroon entered a new chapter. His vision was to consolidate national unity, strengthen democratic institutions, modernise the economy and improve Cameroonians’ living conditions.
Notably, this vision was rooted in the passion and efforts of genuine intellectuals and statesmen, such as Professor Bernard Nsokika Fonlon and Francois Singakwo, who were among its founding fathers and whose legacy attests to its validity.
Objectively, the past four decades have brought significant progress in education, healthcare, telecommunications, transport infrastructure, energy, agriculture and international relations, and our political and administrative institutions have evolved considerably.
No responsible assessment, however, would claim that every development aspiration has been met. Employment, poverty reduction, infrastructure, security and access to basic services remain pressing concerns. We must review this record honestly, acknowledging the progress made, confronting the work still ahead, and recognising that these challenges are universal rather than unique to Cameroon.
To me, the New Deal is a dazzling ongoing national development vision: its achievements must be consolidated, its limitations corrected and its promise renewed for future generations.
2\. Critics argue that after 44 years in power, the administration should have delivered far more. What would you consider the most consequential achievements of President Biya’s tenure?
I understand that criticism, and citizens have every right to demand better results from their leaders. Yet a meaningful assessment of these forty-four years must examine the country’s institutional, economic and social transformation. I would highlight three areas.
First, the preservation and consolidation of the Cameroonian State. In a country of such linguistic, cultural, religious and geographical diversity, sustaining national institutions, a shared identity and peaceful coexistence is a major undertaking.
Second, the expansion of development infrastructure. Universities, roads, bridges, ports, hospitals, power-generation facilities and telecommunications networks have been built or expanded, reshaping the development landscape and opening opportunities for communities that previously had limited access to them.
Third, institutional and political reform. The return to multiparty politics, constitutional change and the gradual rollout of decentralisation have transformed how the country is governed.
The restoration of multiparty politics in 1990 was a major milestone: it opened the way for greater political competition, freedom of speech and wider participation by different parties in national affairs.
The 1996 Constitution set the framework for a decentralised unitary state, providing for the Senate, regional councils and the Constitutional Council. Later milestones included the creation of ELECAM, the 2012 Electoral Code, the first senatorial elections in 2013 and the Constitutional Council becoming operational in 2018.
Together, these developments chart the gradual evolution of our country’s institutions.
Decentralisation deserves particular attention because it aims to bring governance closer to the people. The 2004 decentralisation laws and the 2019 General Code of Regional and Local Authorities further defined how responsibilities pass to local and regional authorities, and regional councils became operational after the December 2020 elections.
For the North West, these arrangements offer a way to turn regional priorities into development action.
The Special Status granted to the North West and South West Regions is also significant. It recognises their historical, linguistic and institutional particularities and makes specific provision for the English-language educational subsystem and the Common Law legal system, among other matters.
I regard these reforms as important steps, but decentralisation must ultimately be judged by its results. Local authorities need enough resources, technical capacity and autonomy to fulfil their responsibilities.
People should feel decentralisation in better roads, water supply, healthcare, education, sanitation and economic opportunities.
Institutions must work effectively and earn public confidence, which means continuing to strengthen democratic institutions, improve electoral processes and encourage responsible political participation.
As a CPDM member, I believe political competition and institutional development should serve one shared goal: a stronger Cameroon, which President Paul Biya has also championed.
These achievements should strengthen our resolve to deliver more, not breed complacency. Seeing the cup as half full or half empty shapes our perspective, and I understand why those who see it half empty think as they do.
3\. National unity has been a recurring theme of the New Deal. How do you assess President Biya’s contribution to preserving Cameroon’s unity, given the country’s linguistic and cultural diversity?
Safeguarding national unity is among a Head of State’s foremost duties, especially in a country like Cameroon.
We have two official languages, hundreds of cultural communities, many faiths and traditions, and a varied geography. Yet we share one country and one future.
I believe H.E. President Biya has consistently put national unity and the preservation of the State at the heart of his political vision. Key elements of that vision include the continuity of national institutions, the participation of citizens from diverse backgrounds in public administration, and infrastructure linking different parts of the country.
Unity must also be felt in daily life, through fairness, equal opportunity, mutual respect and a sense of belonging.
The challenges in the North West and South West Regions show that national cohesion demands sustained attention. We must promote dialogue, address legitimate grievances and rebuild confidence, so that every Cameroonian can take a meaningful part in national development.
Our diversity should be a source of strength, not division. This is the Cameroon we must keep building together.
4\. The expansion of higher education has been one of the notable developments of the New Deal era. What has the creation of the University of Bamenda meant for the North West Region?
Expanding higher education is a key part of the New Deal’s development record.
Before the 1993 university reforms, public university education was concentrated in a few places. Creating more state universities brought higher education within reach of many more young Cameroonians nationwide.
The University of Buea, established in 1993, was especially significant for English-speaking Cameroonians. The University of Bamenda, created in 2010, then widened access to higher education in the North West.
For our region, the University of Bamenda is an investment in human capital, innovation and professional development, with an impact reaching well beyond the campus.
It has brought university education closer to home for many families, and created opportunities for academic staff, service providers, local businesses and better jobs to our youths.
Even so, we must keep investing in university infrastructure, research and technical education, and build stronger links between academic training and the labour market. Education must prepare young people to find better jobs, start businesses and use their knowledge to tackle the challenges their communities face. Going forward, we will need to be more intentional in this pursuit given the strategic role our Youth play and will continue to play in shaping the future of our Nation.
5\. Drawing on your professional experience in infrastructure development across the world, how would you assess Cameroon’s transformation in roads, bridges, ports and other transport facilities over the past 44 years?
Transport infrastructure underpins economic development, a conviction my professional experience in the sector has reinforced.
A road links farmers to markets, workers to jobs, businesses to customers and communities to essential services. Ports, railways and airports extend those links, supporting trade, investment and regional integration.
Cameroon has invested significantly in this area. Major projects include the second bridge over the Wouri River, the Kribi Deep Sea Port, the Kribi-Lolabé and Yaoundé-Nsimalen motorways, the national railway system and the rehabilitation of several key road corridors.
Investments in urban roads and bridges, together with construction and rehabilitation work elsewhere in the country, are part of this wider effort.
These projects strengthen Cameroon’s potential as a transport and logistics hub for Central Africa.
For the North West Region, I would highlight the Babadjou-Bamenda road, the North West Ring Road project and the corridor linking Bamenda through Batibo and Mamfe to Ekok and neighbouring Nigeria.
The Babadjou-Bamenda road is a strategic link between our region and the national road network, essential for moving people, agricultural produce, commercial goods and essential services.
The North West Ring Road matters even more for the wider region. By connecting key centres of production and population, it can open markets and boost economic activity across the region.
The North West produces potatoes, maize, beans, vegetables, coffee and other commodities, but the value of that output depends partly on farmers reaching markets efficiently and affordably.
Good roads lower transport costs, reduce post-harvest losses, encourage investment and improve access to schools and healthcare facilities.
The Ndu–Nkambe road section, recently completed by the Cameroonian company MAG Sarl despite difficult security conditions, shows how much these links matter to Donga-Mantung and the wider North West Region.
Extending the network towards Dumbu and the Nigerian border would strengthen cross-border trade and open access to a large regional market. Nigeria’s population of over 200 million offers considerable commercial opportunities for our farmers, traders and businesses.
We must press for effective delivery of these strategic projects, while giving road maintenance and feeder roads the attention they need.
The ongoing construction of Bamenda’s urban road network also holds considerable promise. Beyond improving mobility, it could support commerce, property development and investment, and raise the quality of urban life.
My experience in transport infrastructure has taught me that a well-planned road network keeps generating benefits long after construction ends.
Our infrastructure needs nonetheless remain substantial. We must complete ongoing projects faster, improve maintenance, strengthen rural connectivity and ensure that investments deliver measurable economic benefits.
The true value of infrastructure lies in how well it serves people and the economy. Going forward, we must consolidate these achievements and meet the international standard Cameroon deserves, which calls for visionary commitment across the sector. Like its peers, Cameroon faces competing demands on limited infrastructure resources, so making the most of existing assets remains critical.
6\. Electricity remains a major concern for households and businesses. What has the New Deal achieved in the energy sector, and what should be the priority in the future?
Energy underpins industrialisation, economic competitiveness and household welfare.
Cameroon has invested in expanding its electricity-generation capacity and diversifying its energy sources.
Lom Pangar, Memve’ele, Mekin and Nachtigal are important milestones. The 420-megawatt Nachtigal hydroelectric project is especially significant, while Lom Pangar also regulates water flow in the Sanaga basin and supports downstream hydropower generation.
Thermal generation and solar electrification have also received investment.
Together, these investments aim to strengthen the energy system and support industrial growth.
More generation capacity does not automatically guarantee reliable power for consumers. Transmission, distribution, maintenance and network expansion remain major challenges.
For me, the next phase must ensure that added generation becomes reliable electricity for homes, schools, hospitals, industries and small businesses.
Success should therefore be measured both in megawatts generated and, in the households, and businesses that can rely on electricity to improve their lives and productivity. Cameroon’s vast energy potential should be harnessed to close this gap.
7\. Beyond infrastructure, what must Cameroon do to translate its economic potential into greater prosperity and employment opportunities for its citizens?
Cameroon’s development approach increasingly recognises how infrastructure, industrialisation, agricultural transformation and private-sector investment reinforce one another.
The National Development Strategy 2020–2030 matters particularly because it prioritises structural transformation, import substitution, job creation and the growth of productive sectors.
We must cut our reliance on imports by strengthening local production and processing. Cameroon has the natural resources, human capital and geographical advantages to build a stronger industrial economy.
Opportunities exist across agriculture, agro-industry, mining, timber processing, manufacturing, energy and logistics.
The Kribi Deep Sea Port, for example, could stimulate industrial activity, logistics and investment along its surrounding economic corridor.
We must also build a more supportive environment for small and medium-sized enterprises, a key source of jobs and innovation.
We are still some way from fulfilling these ambitions. Unemployment, poverty, the cost of living and limited access to finance remain serious concerns.
Our priority must be to turn economic growth into tangible improvements in daily life: decent jobs, stronger purchasing power, better public services and a business environment where people with ideas can succeed. Going forward, we must draw on best practices and engage visionary sector practitioners to unlock these opportunities.
8\. Agriculture remains a major pillar of the Cameroonian economy. How can the country translate its agricultural potential into greater prosperity, particularly in the North West?
Agriculture should drive our next phase of development.
The North West has considerable agricultural potential, spanning potatoes, maize, beans, vegetables, coffee, livestock and dairy production.
Realising that potential means shifting towards more productive commercial farming and agro-industrial development.
That requires investment in modern farming techniques, improved seeds, irrigation, storage facilities, processing plants, agricultural financing and access to markets.
Rural roads are an essential part of this investment. Higher yields bring little benefit if farmers cannot get their produce to market at an affordable cost.
I would like to see closer collaboration among government, local councils, agricultural cooperatives, financial institutions and private investors.
We should help young people see agriculture as a viable business offering opportunities for innovation and growth.
Investing properly in agricultural value chains can create more and better jobs, improve food security, reduce imports and generate wealth for rural communities. We must deliberately shift from subsistence farming to large-scale industrial and commercial agribusiness.
The North West could become an important agricultural and agro-industrial hub. To get there, we must link production to processing, financing and markets.
9\. Telecommunications and digital technology have transformed communication and commerce in Cameroon. How important is this development to the New Deal's modernisation agenda?
In recent decades, digital development have transformed everyday life in Cameroon more visibly than almost anything else.
Mobile phones, internet connectivity, mobile money and digital platforms have changed how people communicate, trade, find information and manage their finances.
This shift has opened opportunities for entrepreneurs, students, professionals and small businesses.
A trader can be paid instantly and a farmer can check market prices. Students can reach learning resources, and young entrepreneurs can build businesses with digital tools.
The expansion of telecommunications infrastructure has therefore advanced financial inclusion, commercial activity and access to information.
These gains remain uneven. Connectivity gaps, along with the cost of internet access and equipment, continue to exclude many communities.
Digital skills are increasingly essential, especially for the youths. Investment in technology education, innovation hubs, entrepreneurship and locally developed solutions must therefore remain a priority.
I believe the digital economy can become a major source of jobs and competitiveness for Cameroon.
10\. The North West and South West Regions continue to grapple with the consequences of the security crisis. What approach should government and political leaders adopt to restore lasting peace and normalcy?
Peace must remain our shared priority, and the efforts of the government and some communities deserve commendation. The crisis in the North West and South West has devastated families, children, businesses, schools and communities, and we cannot discuss development without acknowledging that suffering.
Lasting peace depends on dialogue, confidence-building, protection of civilians, respect for the rule of law and the restoration of essential public services.
Government measures, including the 2019 Major National Dialogue, the Special Status framework and reconstruction initiatives, offer ways to address the crisis. Their value lies in practical results that rebuild trust and help communities resume everyday activities.
Political leaders carry a particular responsibility. We must discourage violence, promote tolerance, engage young people constructively and back initiatives that bring communities together.
Peacebuilding needs visible improvements in people’s lives: opportunities for young people, functioning schools, accessible healthcare and renewed economic activity. These help restore confidence in public institutions.
In Bamenda I, experience has reinforced the importance of community-led peacebuilding. In Mezam IA, we have promoted dialogue and reconciliation among community leaders. Responsibility for peace cannot rest with government or political authorities alone; communities must also take ownership of it.
In our municipality, people look out for one another and recognise their shared stake in peace. This has helped sustain a relatively peaceful environment, drawing in people from other parts of Bamenda and neighbouring divisions who wish to settle and pursue their activities.
Peace has shown us how it can drive development. When people feel secure, they are more willing to invest, start businesses, send their children to school and take part in community life.
Community dialogue has long been part of life in our municipality, well before it gained prominence in the national peacebuilding agenda. That experience shows the value of solutions that communities develop themselves.
Young people must be central to these efforts. They are among those most affected by the crisis, and their concerns about education, employment and economic opportunity deserve serious attention.
One practical example is the Bamenda I Peace and Unity Football Tournament, now in its seventh edition. It unites young people through sport and fosters friendship, discipline, peaceful coexistence and a sense of belonging.
Our youth initiatives also include advocacy for school resumption, scholarships, back-to-school support and awareness campaigns against drug abuse. They rest on a simple conviction: young people need opportunities, guidance and an environment where they can realise their potential.
We must listen to young people, understand their frustrations and involve them in decisions that shape their future.
I want young people to see political engagement as a way to solve the problems that affect their daily lives.
Ultimately, I am convinced that the people of the North West deserve lasting peace, stability and the chance to take full part in Cameroon’s development.
11\. Women have increasingly assumed important responsibilities in politics, public administration and economic life. How do you assess their contribution to national development and the CPDM's role in promoting their participation?
Women make a vital contribution to education, agriculture, commerce, public administration, professional life and community leadership.
In recent decades, women have taken a growing part in parliament, government, local councils and party structures.
Within the CPDM, the Women’s Wing plays an important role in political mobilisation, community engagement and the promotion of party values.
In Mezam IA, women are central to political and community life. Their role must go beyond mobilisation at political events to include meaningful participation in decision-making and development initiatives.
We should keep promoting girls’ education, women’s entrepreneurship, access to finance and greater representation in leadership.
Progress should be judged by women’s economic independence, equal opportunity and ability to influence the decisions that affect their communities.
Cameroon’s development depends on making full use of its women’s talents and contributions.
12\. President Biya’s tenure has also been marked by an active international presence, including Cameroon’s admission into the Commonwealth in 1995. What does this diplomatic record mean for the country’s development?
Diplomacy supports national development. Cameroon’s strategic position in Central Africa makes international partnerships especially valuable for trade, investment, security cooperation and education.
Our admission into the Commonwealth in November 1995 was a significant diplomatic milestone. It added to our longstanding membership of the Francophonie and deepened our engagement with the wider international community.
Cameroon also remains an active member of the African Union, CEMAC and other multilateral organisations.
Partnerships with the Multilateral Development Banks, the European Union, China, France and the United States have supported programmes in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture and economic development.
My professional experience in international development cooperation has given me a deep appreciation of these partnerships.
They must serve the national interest by drawing in public and private investment, enabling technology transfer, strengthening institutions and creating opportunities for citizens.
I believe Cameroon should continue to consolidate its standing as a constructive player in regional and international affairs. In his 44 years in office, President Paul Biya has not opened the door to predators eyeing our precious natural resources, which would have plunged us into turmoil, as has happened elsewhere in Africa. That is proof of a brighter future for our country’s economic stability and transformation. Regaining Bakassi is a proud legacy and an achievement worth celebrating.
13\. As President of the CPDM Mezam IA Section, how do you translate the party's national vision into practical action at the grassroots?
A party is only as strong as its bond with the people.
In Mezam IA, our role goes beyond holding meetings and mobilising members. We must listen to community concerns, back development initiatives and present the party’s vision in terms that speak to people’s everyday lives.
It starts with listening. It also means encouraging participation, promoting peace and unity, supporting education and youth development, and staying close to the communities we serve.
Accountability matters too. People want to see how political engagement improves their lives.
I believe the CPDM must keep renewing its grassroots structures, draw in women and young people, and promote responsible leadership.
As Section President, I see leadership as a duty to serve, mobilise and engage. Our actions must show a real commitment to people’s welfare and community development.
A grassroots leader’s credibility rests on more than the number of meetings or the size of a crowd. It depends on bringing people together, listening to their concerns and helping to find practical solutions to their everyday problems/challenges. That is the responsibility I have embraced in Mezam IA.
14\. Finally, as Cameroon commemorates 44 years of the New Deal, what is your message to Cameroonians, particularly the people of Mezam and the North West Region? What should they expect from the next phase of national development?
My message is one of hope, shared responsibility and a renewed commitment to Cameroon’s future.
This anniversary is a time to recognise the country’s progress and to face the challenges still before us with equal honesty.
We have expanded education, built major infrastructure, strengthened national institutions, improved telecommunications, and invested in energy, healthcare and other productive sectors.
Past achievements carry a duty to deliver more.
The next phase must give even greater priority to employment, industrialisation, agricultural transformation, reliable electricity, quality education, affordable healthcare and effective decentralisation.
For the North West, lasting peace remains essential. Children must be able to go to school without fear, farmers must be able to reach markets, and businesses must be able to operate securely. Our communities deserve a full share in national development.
To the people of Mezam, I say: let us keep faith in our ability to rebuild and reconcile. Let us encourage dialogue, reject violence and give young people the chance to contribute to our shared future.
As a CPDM member and leader, I believe the party’s development vision must be judged by its impact on Cameroonians’ lives.
President Paul Biya’s forty-four years in office are an important chapter in our national history. Our task now is to consolidate the gains, address the shortcomings and build a more prosperous, peaceful and united Cameroon.
Only God is perfect, so perfection should not be the yardstick for our President’s achievements. There is more to do, and we can draw on past experience. Let us give him, together with Cameroonians of goodwill and competence, the chance to build a better Cameroon.
Happy forty-fourth anniversary of the New Deal.
Long live Cameroon! Long live national unity! Long live the CPDM!
First published in L'Action Newspaper
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