Cameroon’s 92-Year-Old President Seeks Eighth Term

Veteran Leader Confirms Re-election Bid Amidst National Challenges

Yaounde, Cameroon – Paul Biya, the 92-year-old president of Cameroon, has announced he will pursue an eighth term in office during the upcoming October elections. This declaration puts an end to speculation that the long-serving leader might step down.

A Stalled Political Landscape

Biya, whose 40-year tenure makes him Africa’s second-longest-serving president, has been a dominant figure in Cameroonian politics since 1982. Despite periods of ill health and frequent overseas travel, the president recently asserted his continued commitment to leading the nation through its current difficulties.

“Rest assured that my determination to serve you is commensurate with the serious challenges facing us,” Biya stated on social media, signaling his readiness for another electoral cycle.

Deep-Rooted National Issues

The president’s extended rule has coincided with significant national challenges. These include persistent allegations of corruption and a protracted secessionist movement in the country’s English-speaking regions. This conflict has displaced thousands of students and led to violent confrontations with security forces.

Human rights advocate and lawyer Nkongho Felix Agbor expressed concern over the announcement. “President Biya’s announcement to run again is a clear sign of Cameroon’s stalled political transition. After over 40 years in power, what the country needs is renewal — not repetition. Cameroonians deserve democratic change and accountable leadership,” he told The Associated Press.

Regional Instability and Political Defections

Cameroon also grapples with spillover violence from the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram, which is based in neighboring Nigeria. Furthermore, several of Biya‘s former allies have recently declared their own presidential candidacies, signaling internal political shifts.

In 2018, Biya secured over 70% of the vote, although that election was reportedly marred by irregularities and low voter turnout due to ongoing conflicts. This context of regional instability, with shrinking democratic space in several African nations, sees other leaders also seeking to extend their time in power, such as Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who is pursuing a seventh term.