President Biya has made public a circular bearing recommendation on major projects and goals for 2018. A lot of tongues have ever since been wagging as the Biya document concerning the preparation of next year’s budget is completely silent on important issues such as the presidential, the senatorial, the parliamentary and council elections.

The release published by the nation’s national daily, Cameroon Tribune signals no guidance on the budgeting of the four elections. Senior political commentators say the omission is all the more curious because the 84 year old dictator highlighted all major projects and government objectives for 2018.

In his so-called circular, Biya called for a major intensification of the preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations 2019 to be hosted in Cameroon. Circular No. 001 / Cab / prc of 20 June 2017 also drew attention to the three-year emergency plan for accelerating growth. The Plan was adopted at the end of 2014 during a ministerial council meeting at the Unity Palace.

By Sama Ernest in Yaounde