Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest serving head of state at 92, has announced his candidacy for an eighth term in office in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for October 12, 2025.
“I am a candidate in the presidential election. Rest assured that my determination to serve you matches the urgency of the challenges we face,” read a post on Sunday from Biya’s official account on X (formerly Twitter), formally ending months of speculation about his political intentions.
Biya, who has been in power since 1982 following the resignation of his predecessor Ahmadou Ahidjo, could remain in office until the age of 99 if re-elected. His health has been the subject of frequent speculation, particularly after a 42-day disappearance from public view last year. Despite reassurances from the government, discussions about his condition remain banned, with authorities citing national security concerns.
Supporters within the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) have been urging Biya to seek another term, praising his leadership. However, critics, including opposition parties and civil society organizations, argue that his decades-long rule has hampered democratic and economic progress in the Central African nation.
The 2018 presidential election saw Biya win with 71.28% of the vote amid allegations of widespread irregularities. He previously removed constitutional term limits in 2008, allowing indefinite re-election.
The October race is already shaping up to be competitive, with several opposition figures declaring their candidacies. These include 2018 runner-up Maurice Kamto of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement, Joshua Osih of the Social Democratic Front, prominent lawyer Akere Muna, and Cabral Libii of the Cameroon Party for National Reconciliation, all of whom have criticized Biya’s long tenure and demanded electoral reforms.
Cameroon, a cocoa- and oil-producing nation, faces multiple security and economic challenges, including a protracted separatist conflict in its English-speaking regions and persistent threats from Boko Haram in the north. Analysts warn that Biya’s prolonged rule raises the risk of a chaotic succession crisis should he become incapacitated or die in office.
The 2025 presidential election will be closely watched as a test of the country’s political future after more than four decades of Biya’s rule.
Written By Rodney Mbua
