The dawn of a new era hovered over Cameroon’s political landscape following the creation of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, CPDM, in Bamenda, North West Region, on March 24, 1985.

 After 31 years of seeing through challenges such as multiparty politics in 1990, facing no-nonsense challengers in various local and national elections and consolidating grassroots support, the CPDM party is today at the crossroads of new challenges.

The theme for this year’s 31st anniversary celebration, “Total mobilisation behind the National President, Head of State, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency President Paul Biya, in the growth acceleration drive and the war against Boko Haram”, seems to state the first challenge which is that of standing behind its Chairman, Paul Biya, in the war he has been waging as Commander-in-Chief of Cameroon’s Armed Forces against the nebulous terrorist sect, Boko Haram. In effect, the enemy who is working hard to hamper development efforts promised by the CPDM Chairman, is a major threat to the ruling party’s image and objectives to improve living standards. Due to a realistic and very efficient war strategy, Boko Haram has been weakened, reason why Paul Biya needs even greater popular mobilization, starting with vigilance within CPDM ranks, to deal the final blow.

Connected to this, many supporters say is the necessity for CPDM supporters to rally behind Paul Biya in his drive towards modernisation and progress which entails fast-tracking several development projects already on-course under his Greater Achievements policy. How well CPDM supporters will stand up to these challenges, as they celebrate the 31st anniversary of the party is a wide guess. But growing enthusiasm, especially after the recent successful operation to renew grassroots executives, indicates that widespread renewed grassroots leadership is a surety for the fresh impetus needed to mobilise anew, in discipline, behind their National Chairman.