On February 10, 2026, on the eve of Youth Day, President Paul Biya will deliver his traditional address to Cameroonian youth.
The President of the Republic is expected to address the youth on February 10, 2026, at 8 p.m. Many anticipate this speech to be another series of well-chosen words and promises, but one that will likely be just a mere ritual in practice. Each year, this speech is eagerly awaited, but for some, it has become a ritual as predictable as it is fruitless. René Martial Mekongo Mbarga, president of the RDPC Bikok 29 subsection and departmental delegate for Mefou Akono of the Movement for the Consolidation of the Gains of Renewal, outlines the main themes he hopes the president will address: employment, entrepreneurship, civic duty, and youth involvement in political life.
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Employment and Socio-Professional Integration
René Martial Mekongo Mbarga emphasizes that youth unemployment remains a central concern. President Paul Biya is expected to reiterate his commitment to fighting this scourge, but according to Mekongo, it is more than urgent to move from words to actions. The president could thus announce new initiatives in entrepreneurship, a key sector for creating sustainable jobs and stimulating economic growth. These measures, which he hopes will be concrete and targeted, would provide young people with real tools to build their own futures.
René Martial Mekongo Mbarga also stresses the need for massive support for small and medium-sized enterprises and for the implementation of adapted training programs. The issue of youth employability is all the more pressing in a country where young graduates often find themselves unemployed despite their education.
Civic Duty and Responsibility
Another point that René Martial Mekongo Mbarga hopes will be raised is that of youth civic duty and responsibility. According to him, the president could encourage young people to take an active role in the nation’s development, to claim their place in political decision-making, and to contribute to lasting political stability. Youth, in particular, should be involved not only in speeches but also in concrete and visible actions. A strong and measurable commitment is expected, especially on the eve of upcoming elections.
The upcoming elections are a crucial moment for the nation, but also a challenge for the youth. René Martial Mekongo Mbarga hopes that Paul Biya will call for citizen participation, emphasizing the importance of every voice, especially that of young people. This massive and responsible participation of youth, both in electoral processes and in decision-making bodies, would be a true guarantee of political stability for the country.
Structural Challenges
Despite these calls to action, Ernesto Yene, a socio-educational animator and member of the Youth Advisory Foundation, offers a more critical reflection on the situation. According to him, it would be naive to expect real short-term solutions without a re-examination of the country’s deep-seated structures. He denounces the endemic corruption and inequalities that continue to hinder the development of youth and the possibility of profound and effective reforms. Far from underestimating the value of René Martial Mekongo Mbarga’s speeches, Ernesto Yene doubts that President Paul Biya and his government have the capacity to solve these structural problems, and believes that in the absence of fundamental reforms, young people will continue to be subjected to empty promises.
For Ernesto Yene, presidential speeches have become cosmetic announcements. Instead of real commitments, they are often unfulfilled promises, sometimes even lost words. According to him, Cameroonian youth, despite their love for the country, are gradually losing confidence in presidential speeches, which lack realism and follow-through.
Ernesto Yene proposes immediate and tangible measures, such as the ban on “whiskey” sachets, a public health scourge among young people, and an inventory of youth projects with public reports. He also insists on lowering the voting age to 18, making primary education free, and canceling the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) which, he believes, harm young people and the local economy. He also advocates for the popularization of vocational training and a revision of the education system.
While René Martial Mekongo Mbarga emphasizes the importance of the presidential commitment to reform and support youth entrepreneurship, Ernesto Yene, in a more scathing tone, highlights the impossibility of continuing to accept speeches full of unfounded promises. Young people are not asking for words, but for concrete actions that transform their daily lives.
Ultimately, Cameroonian youth have waited long enough for announcements not followed by action. They need a Head of State who truly listens to their concerns, who implements genuine and effective reforms. If Paul Biya’s speech, scheduled for February 10, is just another litany of unfulfilled promises, it is likely that this year, like the previous ones, youth disillusionment with the ruling class will only increase.
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