Cameroon’s long-serving President, Paul Biya, has officially declared his intention to contest for an eighth term in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for October 12, 2025, setting the stage for another high-stakes political battle in Central Africa.
Biya, who has ruled the country since 1982, made the announcement on Saturday via his official social media channels, stating, “I am a candidate in the presidential election. Rest assured that my determination to serve you matches the urgency of the challenges we face.”
Now 92, Biya is the world’s oldest serving national leader and one of the longest-reigning heads of state globally. His declaration comes days after a presidential decree fixed the election date, allowing political parties and candidates just ten days to submit their applications to the Constitutional Council.
The announcement has sparked both renewed support among loyalists and fresh criticism from civil society and opposition figures, who argue that Biya’s extended rule has stifled democratic growth and accountability in the country.
Despite his age and prolonged absences from public engagements—most notably a 42-day stretch in 2024—Biya remains the dominant figure in Cameroon’s political landscape. His party, the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), continues to command significant influence across the nation’s institutions.
The road to the October polls, however, is expected to be more turbulent than in previous years. A number of former allies, including seasoned politicians like Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari, have signaled intentions to challenge Biya, raising the prospect of a fractured ruling elite.
Adding to the complexity of the political climate are ongoing security and humanitarian challenges, including separatist violence in the Anglophone regions, Boko Haram insurgency in the Far North, and widespread concerns over press freedom and human rights violations.
As the campaign window opens on September 17, the country—and the world—will be watching to see whether Cameroon will continue under Biya’s firm grip or if winds of change will finally sweep through the nation’s leadership.
