YAOUNDÉ (Realist English). President Paul Biya, 92, the world’s oldest sitting head of state, announced on Sunday that he will run for an eighth term in office in Cameroon’s upcoming presidential election, scheduled for October.
In a statement shared on social media, Biya said his decision follows “numerous and insistent calls” from citizens across the country. “Rest assured, my determination to serve you matches the urgency of the challenges ahead,” he wrote.
Biya first became president in 1982 — just days before Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev died in Moscow — and has remained in power ever since, winning every subsequent election amid repeated allegations of fraud and suppression of opposition voices. Now, with nearly 43 years at the helm, he is seeking another seven-year mandate that would keep him in power until age 99.
Reactions in the capital Yaoundé were cautious. When asked by the BBC, many residents declined to speak openly, fearing reprisals. One man who did speak, without revealing his name, remarked: “I’ve never heard of someone that old running for president anywhere in the world.”
Camille Esselem, a resident who agreed to be named, expressed disappointment: “I thought he would retire and hand over power to a new generation.”
Others voiced support. Ngono Marius, a government official, said: “The president still has much to offer. If he’s running, he’s still capable of leading.” Sylvia Tipa, a consultant, acknowledged concerns about democratic transition but added: “Perhaps there’s no better leader than Biya right now. He’s done a lot for the country, including resolving conflicts. Maybe God sent him to us.”
Biya first assumed the presidency at 49, succeeding President Ahmadou Ahidjo, under whom he had served as prime minister. Since then, every election has been marred by accusations of vote-rigging and authoritarian tactics.
Transparency International ranks Cameroon 140th out of 180 countries on its Corruption Perceptions Index.
Skepticism about Biya’s capacity to govern is growing. Last year, he vanished from public view for six weeks, sparking rumors about his health — and even his death. Many doubt he can effectively lead the country through to age 99.
This year’s election is expected to be more contested than previous ones. Former Prime Minister Bello Bouba Maigari and Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary, both from Cameroon’s northern regions and formerly aligned with Biya’s coalition, have declared their own presidential bids following a political rift. Prominent opposition leader Maurice Kamto, who ran against Biya in 2018, has also confirmed his candidacy.
Biya’s bid for an eighth term underscores the political stagnation and democratic fragility in Cameroon, where power has remained in the hands of one man for over four decades. Despite persistent concerns about transparency and governance, Biya retains the state machinery — and constitutional changes made in 2008 — that allow him to run indefinitely. Whether the 2025 vote will mark continuity or change remains an open question in one of Africa’s most enduring strongman regimes.
