At 92, Paul Biya Says He’s Not Done Yet — Announces Bid for Eighth Term
Cameroon’s longtime leader, President Paul Biya, has officially declared his intention to run for another term in the upcoming October 12 presidential election — a move that could stretch his time in power beyond 43 years.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Biya stated in both French and English, “I am a candidate for the 12 October 2025 presidential election. My determination to serve you remains as strong as ever. Together, we can overcome any challenge. The best is still to come.”
While his candidacy was widely expected — given his position as head of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) — his age and ability to lead have sparked ongoing debate. At 92, Biya is one of the world’s oldest heads of state, and his health has come under increasing scrutiny.
In recent months, some of his longtime political allies have started to break away. Employment Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary resigned from the cabinet in June to run under his own party, the Front for the National Salvation of Cameroon (FSNC). Former Prime Minister Bello Bouba Maigari, a key supporter for nearly three decades, has also announced his candidacy under the National Union for Democracy and Progress (NUDP).
Both parties were once close partners of the ruling CPDM, making their exits a significant political shift.
Opposition voices are also entering the ring. Maurice Kamto, Biya’s strongest challenger in the 2018 election, has confirmed his participation. So has Cabral Libii, another popular figure running under the Cameroonian Party for National Reconciliation (CPNR).
Although frustration with the government is widespread — driven by rising living costs, limited job opportunities, and poor infrastructure — the opposition remains fragmented. With just days left before the July 21 deadline to declare candidacy, efforts to unite behind a single contender remain shaky.
Meanwhile, the country continues to face intermittent unrest, especially in English-speaking regions where separatist tensions still simmer.
As the election nears, the question remains: Will Cameroon choose continuity, or is the tide beginning to shift?
