Cameroon: 92 year old president seeks another term

World’s oldest president, Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, aged 92, stated that he will run for another term in October, aiming for an extension of 43 years in power, according to a report by BBC on July 14th.

“Rest assured that my determination to serve you matches the urgency of the challenges we face,” according to a post President Biya made on X.

He added that the decision to run for an eight-term came after “numerous and insistent” calls from people from all the regions in Cameroon and the diaspora. Biya’s administration has faced criticism over corruption, embezzlement, bad governance, and failure to address issues, as well as concerns about his health and his ability to govern Cameroon.

Paul Biya was absent from the public during the year 2024, which led to different speculations about his well-being and rumours spreading that he had already died. Biya’s candidacy was expected but was only confirmed on July 13th on his social media post on X.

Biya since he took power in Cameroon since 1982. Biya never tasted defeat during the elections where if he wins another 7-year term he could be a president until he is nearly 100 years old.

Different calls towards the opposition inside and outside Cameroon, stating that he should decide to step down from being president and give way to new leaders during this election inside the central African nation.

Biya’s announcement of candidacy was later followed by a recent political divorce made by his allies from the northern regions of Cameroon, who are very crucial allies towards securing votes in previous elections from that side of the country.

Two prominent party members, Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary and former Prime Minister Bello Bouba Maigari, have left the ruling coalition and announced plans to run in the presidential election against Paul Biya. 

During June, Tchiroma stated that the Biya administration he belonged to had “broken” public trust and announced that he is changing to a rival party instead.

Multiple oppositions from different people, including the 2018 runner-up Maurice Kamto, Joshua Oshi, Akere Muna, and Cabral Libii, also announced their candidacy for the presidential election.

However, members of the governing Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement and many more supporters have been publicly calling on Biya to do another term since 2024. Biya was already the de facto candidate as the party leader.

Paul Biya abolished the term limits in 2008, making him eligible to seek the presidency as many times as he wants. He recently won the 2018 elections with more than 70% votes despite opposition groups accusing the winning candidate of “widespread irregularities.”

BBC, Maghrebi.org