Cintia A. , Lebledparle.com
Today’s press review opens with the Bishops putting Biya in a tight corner ahead of the 2025 presidential election. According to The Guardian Post, Catholic Bishops have issued yet another incisive memo regarding the conduct of this year’s presidential election, leading analysts to believe that their latest statement has put incumbent Paul Biya in a difficult position. In their detailed pastoral letter, released on March 28, 2025, to mark the Lenten season, the spiritual leaders reviewed the country’s political landscape, insisting on what they consider as vital virtues and characteristics that voters must consider before casting their votes. Issued under the banner of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC), the Bishops’ description of the qualities they believe Cameroon’s next leader should have is being interpreted by analysts as a subtle message to Biya to start considering “returning to the village.”
Mutation outlines the ten qualities of a true leader, as presented by the Bishops during the National Episcopal Conference. According to the Bishops, these ten qualities define the candidate who deserves the votes of Cameroonians.
Still on the 2025 presidential election, Info Matin features Akere Muna on its front page, highlighting his statement: “The audiovisual license fee for all TV and radio stations.” This was the key message of a tweet posted on March 28 by the candidate of the “Union for Reconstitution” coalition, supported by Professor Nkou Mvondo’s Univers party. The former Bar President also promises subsidies for the entire national press if he is elected President of the Republic.
La Nouvelle Expression presents the position of the Episcopal Conference of Cameroon. The extensive pastoral letter titled “Pastoral Letter of the Bishops on the Occasion of the Presidential and Regional Elections of 2025 in Cameroon” outlines the ideal profile of the next presidential candidate. It also explains why the Catholic Church is within its role when addressing societal and political issues. This is seen as an unprecedented move in Cameroon. Read pages 5-8 for details.
Cameroun Tribune headlines Ramadan 2025, all together”. Beyond the Muslim community, which celebrated yesterday the end of the sacred month of prayer, fasting, and sharing, the entire nation, including President Paul Biya, joined the faithful in offering prayers for peace, social cohesion, and security in Cameroon. Read the President’s message and coverage of the celebration on pages 2, 18-19.
The National Post provides a roundup of the Ramadan celebrations that took place yesterday. According to the newspaper, Muslims celebrated in colorful traditional attire and elegant garments, with Muslim leaders further emphasizing the need for peace and unity in the country. Read page 5 for details.
Equation, in its edition today, focuses on the growing waste problem in Yaoundé, which has forced the Minister of Housing and Urban Development (Mindhu) to issue directives to the city’s mayor. For some time now, the issue of waste management has been a hot topic, with debates about responsibility circulating widely. Some individuals, without fully understanding the concept of responsibility in waste collection, have been quick to point fingers without providing substantial evidence to support their claims. In an effort to clarify the responsibilities of decentralized local governments and the central administration in waste management, the minister, Célestine Ketcha Courtes, sent a letter to the mayor of Yaoundé, outlining urgent measures to clean up the city. This initiative is part of the broader “Clean City” operation. Read the newspaper’s analysis for further insights.
Le Jour discusses financial audits and reports that French-speaking African firms are separating from the PwC network. A few years ago, these prestigious firms had ambitious growth targets, exceeding 10%, thanks in part to their activities on the continent. However, this growth is no longer a reality, and some firms in Cameroon are now withdrawing. The reasons behind this development can be found on page 6.
Finally, Le Diapason investigates a vast identity fraud network that has been dismantled. The police have put an end to a large-scale scam orchestrated from Kondengui Central Prison, involving inmates, a prison guard, and telecommunications agents. At the heart of the scheme was the fraudulent use of the identities of high-ranking state officials to extort money from candidates applying for police recruitment exams. Read page 3 for details.
