Cameroon’s long-serving President, Paul Biya, has announced he will seek re-election in October, aiming to extend his 43-year rule. The 92-year-old leader made the declaration on Sunday via a post on X (formerly Twitter), ending months of speculation about his political future.
“Rest assured that my determination to serve you matches the urgency of the challenges we face,” Biya wrote. He said his decision followed “numerous and insistent” calls from Cameroonians across the country and the diaspora urging him to remain in office.
Biya, who first assumed power in 1982, has never lost an election and is currently one of the world’s longest-serving leaders. If re-elected for another seven-year term, he could remain in power until nearly age 100.
His administration, however, continues to face strong criticism over widespread corruption, poor governance, human rights abuses, and an inability to effectively address security crises in the country, particularly in the Anglophone regions. Concerns have also been raised about Biya’s health and capacity to govern. His prolonged absence from the public eye last year—over six weeks—sparked rumours about his condition, including false reports of his death.
While Biya’s candidacy had been widely anticipated, it was officially confirmed only on Sunday through his social media statement. His declaration comes amid growing internal and external pressure for political renewal in the Central African nation.
Adding to the challenge, Biya has recently lost key political allies from Cameroon’s northern region—long seen as a reliable voting bloc. Prominent figures such as former Prime Minister Bello Bouba Maigari and ex-Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary have left the ruling coalition and announced plans to run against him. Last month, Tchiroma publicly criticized the administration he once served, stating that it had “broken” public trust.
Several opposition leaders have also entered the race, including 2018 runner-up Maurice Kamto, along with Joshua Osih, Akere Muna, and Cabral Libii. However, Biya’s grip on the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), where he remains party leader, has positioned him as the de facto candidate for months, with loyalists actively calling for his continued leadership since last year.
Biya eliminated term limits in 2008, allowing him to seek re-election indefinitely. In the 2018 election, he secured over 71% of the vote—a result disputed by opposition parties citing widespread irregularities and electoral malpractice.
As Cameroon heads into the 2025 election season, Biya’s decision sets the stage for a contentious and closely watched race in a country at a critical crossroads.
