Biya's leadership enhanced at Congress
The new changes effected at the Bamenda congress also mark an effective break with the Ahidjo era and emphasised President Biya's position as the undisputed leader of the country. To begin with, the country's sole political party had a change of name from Cameroon National Union (CNU) to Cameroon Peoples Democratic Movement (CPDM) with new objectives and schedules. Its motto is Unity, Progress and Democracy.
The change of the party's name is regarded as a significant development since the Cameroon National Union was synonymous with ex-President Ahidjo who even after relinquishing his role as President of the country sought to control the newly installed President Biya from his position as chairman of CNU.
It is recalled that when ex-President Ahidjo failed in his designs he solicited the help of a number of officers in the Cameroonian armed forces to overthrow President Biya. The coup plot was exposed and Ahidjo who is still in exile in France was sentenced to death in absentia.
In his closing address, the President of the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement and Head of State, Paul Biya, solemnly pledged to meet all the responsibilities that devolve on him as the first leader of the new party, CPDM. He urged all Cameroonians of good intentions to join in what he described as the democratic movement for the development of Cameroon. President Biya promised a programme which will enable Cameroonians, poised for the next stage of national unity, which is national integration, to work for an open, critical, tolerant society of lucic participation of all Cameroonians of all walks of life.
Before the closing session, the congress of the New Deal elected new members of the party's Central Committee Among those thrown out are: Aminou, Oumarou; Assale Charles; Ayissi, Mvodo; Mbala, Mbarga; Bol, Alima Bwelle, Guillaume; Ndjimo, Claude-Daniel; Egbe Tabi Emmanuel; Ekwabi, Ewane; Gema, Garba; Hayatou Hamadou; Kame, Samuel; Keutcha, Jeanne-Julienne Sanjol, Zambo; Soheng, Andre; Tenkela, Jean; Toumo Etienne; Walijo, Wabiya; Tsanga, Delphine. There are fou others who have been thrown out: Kwayeb, Enoch Malloma, Raymond; Sabal Lecco, Felix; Ebandah, Isabelle
