Cameroonian president pledges to tackle youth unemployment, corruption

Source: Xinhua| 2025-10-08 02:21:15|Editor: huaxia

Paul Biya (C), President of Cameroon and candidate of the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM), delivers a speech during a campaign rally in Maroua, chief town of the Far North Region, Cameroon, Oct. 7, 2025. (Photo by Kepseu/Xinhua)

YAOUNDE, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- Cameroonian President Paul Biya on Tuesday placed the fight against youth unemployment and corruption at the heart of his bid for another seven-year term, as he began campaigning for the first time since campaigns kicked off last week.

At the campaign launch in Maroua, the chief town of the Far North Region, he said he had delivered on his promises to improve security, strengthen the economy, create jobs, and combat corruption.

The president also acknowledged that there is still work to be done, especially for the youth. "My goal is for every young person, wherever they are, to have opportunities that allow them to find a job or become an entrepreneur easily. No young person, whether they are a graduate or not, will be left behind," he said.

"As I speak, the teams I have established are working tirelessly on innovative ideas that will undoubtedly enable us to reduce this unemployment problem drastically," Biya added.

The 92-year-old has been the president of Cameroon since 1982. He will face 11 opposition candidates in the presidential election scheduled for Sunday. ■

Supporters of Paul Biya, President of Cameroon and candidate of the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM), take part in a campaign rally in Maroua, chief town of the Far North Region, Cameroon, Oct. 7, 2025. (Photo by Kepseu/Xinhua)

Traditional chiefs attend a campaign rally of Paul Biya, President of Cameroon and candidate of the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM), in Maroua, chief town of the Far North Region, Cameroon, Oct. 7, 2025. (Photo by Kepseu/Xinhua)