92-year-old president struggles to woo young Cameroonians on social media

Even earlier than the oldest president on the earth confirmed that he would run for the eighth interval in energy, his accounts on social media have undoubtedly left specialists.

By the 92 -year -old Paul Pia officially confirmed that he would seek to re -election as President of Cameroon Final week, he was already intensifying on the Web for a number of months.

Each day posts on Fb and X (beforehand on Twitter) point out an incredible departure from its earlier presence at occasions.

However Pia’s makes an attempt to beat younger individuals earlier than the October elections could fall.

“Cameroon has greater than 5.4 million customers of social media, however 95 % of younger individuals depend upon WhatsApp – a platform the place presidential communication is nearly not current,” says Rostant Tane, SARL and creator of the multimedia research creator.

“There isn’t any regional division, no interplay, and a really nice effort to talk the digital language for younger individuals.”

One other stumbling block is originality.

“Many individuals know that Paul Pia is similar one who writes – which creates the gap and shortens confidence,” says Hervey Toya, a lecturer in communication science.

“They nonetheless talk from high to backside with none actual interplay – the feedback which were ignored or deleted, which is the shortage of private responses … and this gives the look of a extra beauty technique than participatory.”

Why is that this necessary?

Cameroon residents are younger with an awesome majority. Greater than 60 % of the inhabitants lower than 25 years, with greater than half of voters below the age of 30, signifies that they might resolve the election outcomes.

“He should serve democratic and clear political communication, and it isn’t used solely as a advertising and marketing device,” says Ulrich Donvac, 27 -year -old speaking specialist.

Younger individuals conform to see concrete measures on points that have an effect on them, agrees to Falone NGU, who’s 27 years previous.

The founding father of the social establishment, who stored some reward for the president’s social media staff.

Unemployment is excessive in Cameroon, even with essentially the most certified younger individuals within the possession of a number of college levels struggling to search out work. corruption Safety can be the principle considerations.

However as a substitute of specializing in these points, many publications emphasize the social media accounts in BIA on his busy report in 43 years of energy – after a time earlier than many residents have been born.

In accordance with the methods for communications, Aristide Mbato, the BIYA staff is now publishing excerpts in French and English from greater than 300 nations delivered by the a long time.

It was one of many fashionable examples addressed to a speech from 2000, when he broke individuals who lecture others however failed to evangelise function mannequin. This was revealed simply two days after One of the allies criticized his allies in Pia his rule and abandoned him.

This considerably calculated strategy doesn’t appear to have sparked numerous enthusiasm, however it’s nonetheless an enchancment in what occurred earlier than.

“His communication was restricted to official decrees and state addresses. The shift to frequent digital correspondence signifies a deliberate effort to revive the narration and seems extra current,” says Toya.

The absence of BIYA from the public for more than six weeks last year led to speculation About his effectively -being and rumors that he died.

Supporters praised these latest efforts, as authorities media comparable to Cameroon Tribune highlighted the digital consciousness of BIYA as an indication of vitality and management.

However doubts and irony in larger proof on-line. The feedback under embody latest posts on Paul Biya’s X and Fb accounts:

“He appears to find the Web in 2025,” says a person named Cenathia.

“Lastly talks to younger individuals!” Jean -Pierre feedback.

“Cameroon needs methods, not retailers.”

“I personally, I’m not satisfied in any respect,” says 32 -year -old businessman Chi Arnold for the BBC for the BIYA CAMP technique to draw younger voters.

“You should transcend tweets, Fb messages and a easy on-line presence to reinforce political reforms, but in addition resolve actual social issues.”

BIYA should wait till the elections in October to see if these efforts will translate into extra younger individuals who vote for him.

Liberation and extra reporting by Natasha Bouti