1982 - 2024 : Abrupt Birth, Palpable Achievements

Cameroonians will this November 6, 2024 be celebrating President Paul Biya’s 42nd anniversary at the helm of State. It will equally be the celebration of the 42 years of the New Deal government introduced by the Head of State, President Paul Biya.
As celebrations will be unfolding, citizens and keen observers of the evolution of Cameroon’s political history will certainly still be reflecting on the historic birth of the New Deal. Indeed, the birth of the New Deal government in Cameroon on November 6, 1982 when President Paul Biya ascended to the supreme magistracy was sudden, abrupt, unexpected and an event nobody really prepared for. However, it only took a transition period of November 4- 6, 1982 for President Biya to get to power. It started on Thursday, November 4, 1982 evening when during the 8:30 pm French Language news over Radio Cameroon, the then President Ahmadou Ahidjo made a surprised State of the nation’s address.  The unexpected news broke when he announced, “Cameroonians, Cameroonians, my dear compatriots. I have decided to resign from my function of the President of the Republic of Cameroon.” Without starting any reason, he specified that the decision will take effect from Saturday, November 6, 1982 at 10 am. 
Suspense and anxiety then set in as he continued with his message. President Ahidjo stated that from the depth of his heart, he thanked those who have since very soon 25 years given him their trust and assistance that enabled him accomplish the daunting task at the helm of State.  He singled out for thanks, the members of the Cameroon National Union (CNU) party for their total and unalloyed support. He told Cameroonians that the country has important assets which include national unity to be consolidated, numerous resources, continuously expanding economy, improving social justice, hardworking population, dynamic youths and solid and fruitful friendly relations and cooperation in Africa and the world. Despite the above message, suspense still continued. Then President Ahmadou Ahidjo broke the suspense when he invited all Cameroonians to, without reserve, give their trust and assistance to his Constitutional successor, Mr Paul Biya. After this, he added that Paul Biya merits the trust of all at home and abroad.
From November 4, 1982 evening, the stage started to be getting ready for President Paul Biya’s reign as President of Cameroon. It took just Friday, November 5, 1982 for necessary logistics to be put in place for President Biya to take over power the next day and usher in the New Deal Regime. Between November 4, 1982 evening to November 6, 1982, the transition procedure moved fast and unperturbed.  Then, it came to pass that following the decision of President Ahmadou Ahidjo, Paul Biya was sworn-in as the new President of the Republic of Cameroon at the National Assembly on November 6, 1982 where he also gave an ina...