New Cameroon Views Blog: The most hated person in Cameroon

Monday, April 20, 2026

The most hated person in Cameroon

Paul Biya, Cameroon's president since 1982 (over 43 years in power), is widely regarded as the most hated person in the country by a large portion of the population, especially among opposition supporters, youth, and the diaspora.

Why Paul Biya?

He is Africa's longest-serving leader after winning a disputed 2025 presidential election at age 92 (his eighth term), with widespread allegations of fraud, leading to deadly protests.
Criticisms focus on authoritarian rule, corruption, economic stagnation, human rights issues (including crackdowns on opposition and the Anglophone crisis), and his long absences from the country while many Cameroonians face poverty and unemployment.
Online sentiment (social media, forums, and lists of "most hated African presidents") frequently places him at or near the top, often alongside figures like Teodoro Obiang Nguema. Many Cameroonians have only known him as president their entire lives, fueling frustration over lack of change.

Other frequently mentioned figuresPublic opinion on "most hated" is highly subjective and often depends on political affiliation, region (Francophone vs. Anglophone), or generation. Other names that come up in Cameroonian discussions include:

Paul Atanga Nji (Minister of Territorial Administration) — Often called one of the "most hated" politicians by youth for his outspoken defense of the regime and perceived arrogance. Lists of unpopular CPDM figures frequently rank him high.
Laurent Esso (former Justice Minister) — Has been labeled "the most hated minister" in older discussions due to controversial decisions and public backlash.
Opposition figures or activists (e.g., some mentions of Maurice Kamto supporters clashing with regime loyalists) sometimes face hate from the other side, but this is more polarized than widespread.
Niche or viral cases: Social media personalities like Bandy Kiki (LGBT activist and critic) have been called "most hated Anglophone on social media," but this is far more limited to certain circles.

In short, while ministers or celebrities can spark strong online hate in specific contexts, Paul Biya stands out as the figure with the broadest and most consistent national/international criticism tied to governance failures and longevity in power.Note that "most hated" isn't measurable by any official poll in Cameroon (due to political sensitivities), so it reflects visible public sentiment from protests, social media, diaspora commentary, and reports rather than hard data. Views differ sharply between regime supporters (who see him as a stabilizer) and critics.

Janvier Tchouteu is the author of Triple Agent, Double Cross