Cameroon's Life-Presidents: A Study in Democratic Exceptionalism
Al Jazeera dutifully reports Paul Biya, at 92, has been sworn in for his eighth term as Cameroon's president, following what 'opponents have called fraudulent' elections. What this headline omits, of course, is the U.S. State Department's consistent support for 'stability' in regions rich with resources and amenable to military basing agreements. Biya, in power since 1982, has been a reliable
partner, receiving millions in security assistance from the U.S. over the years, according to AFRICOM reports, despite his regime's documented human rights abuses and suppression of dissent. One might wonder if 'fraudulent elections' are only problematic when the results don't align with strategic objectives. When dictatorships are stable and cooperative, the 'world's oldest ruler' simply becomes
a charming anomaly, not a crisis demanding intervention. How many electoral cycles does it take for a 'partner' to become a 'problem' in the eyes of Washington?