Social media revamp by 92-year-old president struggles to woo young Cameroonians
Even after confirming that the world’s oldest president would run for an eighth period in power, social media accounts have undoubtedly left experts.
92 year old time Paul Biya confirmed that he would officially want to be re -elected as the president of Cameroon. Last week, it increased its online presence for several months.
Facebook and X (formerly called Twitter) daily publications, previous, occasionally occasionally existence indicates a striking separation.
However, analysts may fall straight to the BBC to win young people before the elections of October.
“Cameroon has more than 5.4 million social media users, but 95% of young people rely on WhatsApp – a platform where presidential communication is almost destroyed,” Rostant, the author of Media Intelligence and Camer Intelligence 2024 Multimedia viewer work.
“There is little effort to speak regional segmentation, interaction and the digital language of young people.”
Another stumbling block is originality.
Hervé Tiwa, a lecturer in communication sciences, says, “Many know that Paul Biya is not itself – this is the distance that creates and limits confidence,” he says.
“Their communication remains from top to bottom without a real interaction – the lack of comments or deleted, personalized responses … This gives the impression of a more cosmetic strategy than the participant.”
Why is this important?
Cameroon population is young with an overwhelming majority. More than 60% of the population means that they can decide the outcome of the election under the age of 25, more than half of voters are under 30 years of age.
“Political communication should serve democracy and transparency and should not be used as a marketing tool,” 27 -year -old communication expert Ulrich Donfack says.
Young people want to see concrete action on issues that affect them, but also accept Falone Ngu, who is 27 years old.
“The youth of Cameroon does not only look for flamboyant graphics or slogans on the media! They want opportunities, change and hope,” he says.
Young people need more than flashy graphics and slogans, says Falone NGU [Courtesy of Falone Ngu]
Unemployment is high in Cameroon, even the most qualified young people have more than one university degree struggling to find a job. Corruption And security is the main concerns.
However, rather than focusing on these issues, many articles in Biya’s social media accounts emphasize the record in power for 43 years – some time before the birth of the population.
According to Communication Strategist Aristide Mabatto, Bia’s team now publishes French and English quotes without speaking more than 300 conversations that the president has delivered for decades.
A recent example, a sharp example, has made a speech since 2000 and screamed people who taught others but could not preach as an example. Published only two days later One of Biya’s longest ongoing allies criticized his rule and abandoned him.
This slightly stable approach does not seem to have fired too much enthusiasm, but when you go before, it is still a development.
“Communication was limited to official decrees and state addresses. The transition to digital messaging is often a deliberate effort to get back and look more existing,” Tiwa said.
Biya’s absence from the public for more than six weeks last year has led to speculation About the prosperity and unfounded rumors he died.
Supporters praised these recent efforts, stressing the state media, such as Cameroon Tribune, Bia’s digital social assistance as a sign of vitality and leadership.
But skepticism and sarcasticism have greater evidence as online. The following comments of the latest publications about Paul Biya’s X and Facebook accounts are as follows:
“Seems to be discovering the Internet in 2025, but primarily an election market test,” he says.
“Finally he talks to young people!” Says Jean-Pierre.
“Cameroon wants roads,” a user named Mireille, “Mireille wants roads,” he says.
“Personally, I have never been convinced,” 32 -year -old entrepreneur Che Arnold said.
“In order to encourage political reforms, and to solve real social problems, tweets, Facebook messages and a simple online asset need to go beyond.”
Biya will have to wait until October to see if these efforts will turn into more young people who vote for him.
Editing and additional reporting by Natasha Booty
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[Getty Images/BBC]
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