Madame Albertine Matomba is a Cameroonian political figure and a committed activist. A keen observer of her country’s political life, she closely follows the developments and challenges shaping Cameroonian society. On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Youth Day, we met with her to gather her views on Cameroonian youth, their realities and aspirations, as well as her assessment of the policies pursued by the ruling party toward young people.
Madame Albertine Matomba, thank you for accepting our invitation. To begin, could you introduce yourself to our readers and tell us what inspired your political and civic engagement? First of all, I would like to extend my greetings to the entire AfriksurSeine team, and I wish you a wonderful celebration of Youth Day.
Who am I? As you rightly mentioned in your introduction, I am a Cameroonian citizen. Although I am often described as a politician, having been a committed activist from the early days within the United People for Social Renewal (PURS), I prefer to be seen as a woman of action, dedicated to improving the living conditions of my fellow citizens. Beyond this civic commitment, I am also a servant of God and a sports enthusiast. I currently serve as president of the Nyong-and-Kellé Volleyball Club, which competes in Cameroon’s women’s elite championship.
On the occasion of the 60th edition of Youth Day, how do you view today’s Cameroonian youth? How would you describe their aspirations, challenges, and strengths? Today’s Cameroonian youth is shaped by a striking paradox. It is driven by remarkable creative energy, yet constrained by persistent structural difficulties. Their aspirations are legitimate and clearly expressed. They are calling for real opportunities, decent employment, training aligned with the job market, and above all, genuine participation in public affairs.
However, this picture is darkened by major obstacles, including mass unemployment, widespread precariousness, and limited access to financing. While young people demonstrate admirable resilience, particularly through innovation in culture and entrepreneurship, they are not immune to troubling trends. Digital platforms, for example, have become spaces where tribalism and various forms of abuse sometimes flourish. These are visible signs of a youth losing its bearings and drifting toward self-destruction. It is urgent to redirect this energy toward nation-building rather than division.
In your view, does Cameroonian youth truly feel heard and taken into account in current political decision-making? Where do you think their main frustrations lie? It is no secret that a large majority of young people do not feel heard or genuinely represented. Too often, their involvement is limited to superficial consultations that have no real impact on key political decisions.
The frustrations that arise from this situation are both deep and legitimate. They stem from chronic unemployment, repeatedly renewed promises that are rarely fulfilled, and persistent inequalities that depend heavily on one’s social background. This growing gap has fueled a dangerous loss of trust between young people and public institutions. It is essential to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete action before this divide becomes irreversible.
How do you assess the policies implemented by the ruling party toward young people? Do you believe the existing programs address the realities young people face on the ground?
The policies pursued by the ruling party toward youth suffer from a clear disconnect with realities on the ground. While many programs are announced, their level of implementation remains low, and access is often restricted to a small minority. What we are witnessing is a politics of appearances rather than a genuine structural strategy capable of addressing the real expectations of young people. Cameroonian youth deserves more than slogans and ineffective programs. It needs courageous decisions and a genuine change of direction. Even more troubling is the fact that, in order to benefit from opportunities, young people are often forced to become instruments of political campaigning by joining the ruling party or belonging to a privileged elite. This system of favoritism and clientelism is an insult to the talent and merit of our young compatriots.
Many young people today say they are disillusioned with politics. Do you believe Cameroonian youth should continue to engage, and in what ways can this engagement be meaningful and constructive?
Yes, absolutely. Disengagement would be a serious mistake with far-reaching consequences. If young people withdraw from politics, they leave their future in the hands of those who have failed to represent them. It is worth remembering that many of today’s leaders entered politics at a very young age, often well before their thirties. Engagement today must take multiple forms, including civic participation, activism, social entrepreneurship, and associative or political action. The time for passively waiting for solutions from above is over. What is needed is a new way of doing politics, one that aligns with the realities and aspirations of the younger generation. As an advocate of sovereignty, I nonetheless urge young people to reject all forms of destruction. One cannot claim to be the heir of a nation while contributing to its destruction. Building rather than destroying is the true challenge we must face.
Finally, what message would you like to share with Cameroonian youth on this symbolic day, and what role should they play in the country’s political and social future?
My message to Cameroonian youth is to remain sovereign and resilient, and not to give up despite obstacles and disappointments. Young people must become aware of their collective strength and refuse to be confined to the role of mere spectators. Cameroon’s political and social future will not be built without them. Youth must become agents of change, demand accountability, organize themselves, and take an active part in transforming the country. The Cameroon of tomorrow depends on their courage and their commitment today. As is said elsewhere in the world, “Yes, you can.”
