AN ASSESSMENT OF GERONTOCRACY AND POLITICS IN CAMEROON; A STUDY OF  YOUTH POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION IN CAMEROON

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

Gerontocracy is a political idea in Western sociopolitical philosophy where a small number of elderly folks hold power in a political system or oligarchical governance. Unpopular owing to its idiosyncratic character, it is essentially a regulation established by elderly people. In communist governments, particularly the Soviet Union, it was customary for persons far older than the general adult population to hold leadership roles. However, gerontocracy extends beyond only socio-political ideologies. There is an ongoing debate over the relationship between age and wisdom: do older individuals possess more wisdom, and is this wisdom applicable to statecraft? The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) defines youth as individuals aged 15 to 24, while the African Youth Charter, for the implementation of local community youth programmes, considers youths to be individuals aged 15 to 55 (UNR2250). In Cameroon, it is a widely used phrase that 'youths are the future of the nation' (Chirimumimba, 2017). 

From the 1960s to 2019, youngsters have been consistently seen as the future leaders of the nation, suggesting that they are being prepared for leadership roles that they will assume when they are older, maybe in their 50s. Youth in Cameroon feel marginalised in politics, leading to a sense of inability to contribute significantly to the country's decision-making process. This has resulted in a lack of interest in formal political participation, such as voting, and a shift towards informal methods like protests and strikes to influence public policy. (Ndongmo, 2018) 

In the late summer of 2017, France chose the 39-year-old Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frédéric Macron as its President in a momentous event. While youth leadership does not ensure good governance and development, it does indicate that young people might have a role in the decision-making process. Emmanuel Macron's win in the elections established a new focus for public discussions in Africa. Leicester, 2017 

Global leaders, like President Paul Biya of the Republic of Cameroon, sent congratulations greetings to the newly elected president, who became president when Macron was only five years old. The issue of young people participating in mainstream politics became a prominent topic of public discussion. He was about two years old when Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasongo became the leader of Equatorial Guinea over forty years ago, and also around two years old when Jose Eduardo dos Santos became the president of Angola in the late 1970s. The recent elections in the region do not indicate a significant change in generations. President Muhammadu Buhari was re-elected as Nigeria's president in 2019 at the age of 77. Ghana's president Nana Akufo-Addo was 73 years old when elected in 2017, while Malawi's president Peter Mutharika was elected in 2014 at the age of 74 (Mills, Obasanjo, Herbst & Davies, 2017). 

The research raises concern that despite the majority of the population being youths, their will is not reflected in presidential election results. This leads youths to believe that voting is futile and only serves to legitimise a regime that manipulates the electoral process. Cameroon has a history of intense post-election protests due to dissatisfaction with the results, particularly after the October 2018 presidential elections. Opposition leaders have filed petitions to the Constitutional Council citing instances of electoral process manipulation and vote tampering. 

Youthful individuals have made efforts to compete for political positions across the continent, although they have seen little or no success. In the 2014 general elections in South Africa, Julius Malema, who was expelled from the African National Congress (ANC) and was 33 years old at the time, led the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to third place in the poll. During the October 6th presidential campaign in Cameroon, 39-year-old Cabral Libii Li Ngue ran for the presidency of Cameroon. He was widely known as the 'Macron of Cameroon' and seen as a contender and rescuer for the young in Cameroon.  His campaign rallies attracted a large number of young people, particularly in Douala, the economic hub, and Yaounde, the political centre of Cameroon. Cabral Libii of the Universe Party came in third place with 222020 votes in the ELECAM 2018 election. His position was likely a consequence of his year-long campaign involving 11 million individuals, during which he aggressively engaged adolescents in developing an interest in politics. In Cameroon, the minimum age to run for president is 35 years old and candidates must pay a deposit of 30 million XFCFA. The issue of gerontocracy and young political apathy in Cameroon, together with other political limitations, is a significant concern with many consequent implications. 

This study argues that a significant portion of Cameroon's young have been excluded from participating in the governing process for several reasons. These include political indifference and inactivity among young people, governmental institutions that hinder new participants from entering mainstream systems, and a culture that suppresses the voices of the youth. This research investigates the influence of Cameroon's founding fathers and their political protégés on the development of a compliant younger generation (Adeleke, 2017). These young individuals are often used to carry out violence before to, during, and after elections, instead of engaging in genuine political decision-making and governance. Youth political apathy in Cameroon is transitioning from the influence of gerontocracy to evolving into a political culture that is being passed down to the next generation, resulting in a decreasing interest in political matters.

Statement of the problem

Cameroon, like to other African countries, struggles with the persistent impact of gerontocracy in its political sphere. Gerontocracy, defined as the prevalence of older persons in influential roles and decision-making processes, poses complex obstacles to the political education of young people (Adeleke, 2017). Although there are attempts to promote democratic values and include young people, the established gerontocratic systems often impede significant engagement and representation of youth in political procedures (Adeleke, 2017). This system, deeply rooted in cultural norms and historical traditions, presents obstacles for young people's involvement in politics and social integration. There is still a lack of knowledge of how gerontocracy impacts the political socialisation of Cameroonian young, despite attempts to promote democratic values and youth participation in government. Hence, the need to analyze Gerontocracy and Politics in Cameroon; A study of Youth Political Socialization in Cameroon. 

Objective of the study

The broad objective of the study is to analyze Gerontocracy and Politics in Cameroon; A study of Youth Political Socialization in Cameroon. The specific objectives is as follows

To examine the influence of gerontocracy on the political socialization process among Cameroonian youth.

To investigate the attitudes of Cameroonian youth towards gerontocratic political structures in Cameroon.

To explore the role of traditional institutions in shaping the political behavior of youths in Cameroon.

Research questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study

What is the influence of gerontocracy on the political socialization process among Cameroonian youth?

What is the attitudes of Cameroonian youth towards gerontocratic political structures in Cameroon?

What is the role of traditional institutions in shaping the political behavior of youths in Cameroon?

Significance of the study

The findings of the study will be significant to the following

Policymakers: Findings from the study can inform policy interventions aimed at fostering inclusive political systems that accommodate the voices and perspectives of young people. Policy recommendations based on empirical evidence can help in designing initiatives to promote youth participation, representation, and leadership in politics.

Academic Contribution: The study adds to the body of literature on gerontocracy, youth political socialization, and African politics. By providing empirical evidence and theoretical insights, it enriches academic discourse and contributes to a better understanding of political phenomena in diverse socio-cultural contexts.

1.6 Scope of the study

The study focuses on analyze gerontocracy and politics in Cameroon; a study of  youth political socialization in Cameroon.  Empirically, the study will examine the influence of gerontocracy on the political socialization process among Cameroonian youth, investigate the attitudes of Cameroonian youth towards gerontocratic political structures in Cameroon and explore the role of traditional institutions in shaping the political behavior of youths in Cameroon.

1.7 Limitations of the study

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire, and interview), which is why the researcher resorted to a moderate choice of sample size. More so, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced.

1.8 Definition of terms

Gerontocracy: Gerontocracy refers to a form of social or political organization where the elderly population holds a dominant position of power and influence within society or governance structures. In such systems, decision-making processes, leadership roles, and the distribution of resources are often heavily influenced by seniority and age, privileging older individuals over younger generations.

Youth Political Socialization:

Youth political socialization refers to the lifelong process through which young individuals acquire political attitudes, values, knowledge, and behaviors within a given society. This process involves various socializing agents such as family, education, peer groups, media, and religious institutions, which shape young people's understanding of politics, citizenship, and their roles within the political system.