Cameroon’s long-time ruler, 92-year-old President Paul Biya, is seeking an unprecedented eighth consecutive term in Sunday’s presidential election, vowing that “the best is still to come.” The world’s oldest head of state, Biya has been in power since 1982, and if he wins again, he will extend his rule to nearly 50 years making him one of the longest-serving leaders in modern history.
Despite widespread calls for him to step down, Biya has shown little sign of relinquishing power. He has been criticized for running a lackluster campaign, having attended only one public rally while spending much of the campaign period on a private 10-day trip to Europe. His reliance on an AI-generated campaign video instead of direct engagement with citizens sparked backlash across the country, forcing him to make a rare appearance in the northern city of Maroua, a vote-rich region where he appealed to women and youth to give him their “valuable support once again.”
Political analysts say Biya’s primary goal throughout his decades in office has been to remain in power, often prioritizing his political survival over improving citizens’ welfare. Dr. Tilarius Atia, a political analyst based in Yaoundé, believes this attitude stems from a failed coup attempt against Biya in 1984 that left him distrustful of rivals and deeply focused on consolidating control.
For most Cameroonians, Biya is the only president they have ever known. More than 60% of the country’s 30 million citizens are under the age of 25, and many young people have grown frustrated with what they describe as stagnation and lack of opportunities under his rule.
“After 43 years, the people are tired,” says 25-year-old activist Marie Flore Mboussi, who is calling for “new blood” in the country’s leadership. “Longevity in power inevitably leads to a kind of political laziness.”
Youth unemployment has become one of the dominant issues in this election. Nearly 40% of Cameroonians aged 15 to 35 are jobless, while 23% of university graduates struggle to find formal employment, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
“Many young people believe they have no future here,” says 26-year-old graduate Vanina Nzekui. “They tell themselves that all positions are occupied by older people, so they’d rather emigrate.”
However, not all young Cameroonians believe Biya’s age should disqualify him. Twenty-three-year-old civil society activist Aziseh Mbi argues that leadership is about capacity, not age, pointing to several youth-focused initiatives the president has launched over the years.
Still, many critics say Biya’s record is overshadowed by deep-rooted corruption, inflation, poor infrastructure, and persistent insecurity—especially in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions, where a separatist conflict has been raging since 2017. The UN estimates that at least 6,000 people have been killed and nearly half a million displaced in the Anglophone crisis.
The election process itself has also stirred controversy. Maurice Kamto, the 71-year-old opposition leader and Biya’s strongest challenger in the 2018 election, was barred from running after internal disputes within his party were used to invalidate his candidacy. His exclusion has been widely condemned as a deliberate move to prevent a serious challenge to Biya’s rule.
“The exclusion of Professor Kamto undermines the legitimacy of our democracy,” says Dr. Atia. “It sends a message that fair competition is not possible in Cameroon.”
In total, 12 candidates were initially approved to contest the election, though two—renowned anti-corruption lawyer Akere Muna and another independent aspirant—withdrew to support Bello Bouba Maigari of the National Union for Democracy and Progress (NUDP), a former Biya ally.
Other notable contenders include Issa Tchiroma Bakary, another former Biya loyalist who served as government spokesperson for two decades before defecting, Cabral Libii of the Social Democratic Front (SDF), and Patricia Tomaïno Ndam Njoya, the only female candidate in the race.
Tchiroma Bakary, now 76, has emerged as one of Biya’s main challengers, drawing large crowds during his campaign rallies and promising to reform the very system he once defended. “I want to build a fairer Cameroon where the rule of law and opportunities for all will prevail,” he told supporters in Douala, where thousands braved the rain to hear him speak.
Despite these opposition efforts, analysts predict Biya is likely to retain power due to the fragmented opposition and the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM)’s deep control over state institutions and the electoral process. “President Biya just needs a slim majority to win,” says Dr. Atia. “Given the disunity among his rivals, I see him winning comfortably.”
In Cameroon’s North-West and South-West regions—home to the English-speaking minority—the situation remains tense. Separatist fighters have enforced a lockdown to boycott the election, warning residents against voting and threatening violence against those who defy them. “We’ve seen people killed for trying to vote,” says Samah Abang-Mugwa, a resident of Bamenda. “It’s too dangerous.”
Civil society groups warn that voter suppression in these regions could undermine the election’s legitimacy. Activist Abine Ayah argues that “excluding a large section of the population from participating effectively weakens the democratic process.”
As the polls open, the atmosphere across the country is one of uncertainty, frustration, and fatigue. While Biya’s supporters tout his experience and stability, critics see his continued rule as a symbol of stagnation and missed opportunities.
The Constitutional Council has 15 days after the vote to announce the official results. Meanwhile, Cameroon’s Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has issued a stern warning that no candidate is allowed to declare victory before the official results are released. “Anyone who attempts to self-proclaim victory will face serious consequences,” he said on the eve of the vote.
For millions of Cameroonians especially the election represents both continuity and frustration: a chance to speak at the ballot box, yet a reminder that real political change may remain out of reach.
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