Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest head of state, marks his 92nd birthday on Thursday, having spent more than four decades in power. However, he has remained silent on whether he will seek another term in this year’s presidential election.
Despite the uncertainty, many—including the deeply fragmented opposition—believe Biya will run for an eighth term in the October vote. Since his first election victory in 1982, Biya has maintained a tight grip on power, and after the contested 2018 election, his administration intensified its crackdown on dissent, with critics facing arrests and prison sentences.
Speculation and Silence on Candidacy
Government spokesman and Communication Minister Rene Emmanuel Sadi addressed the question of Biya’s candidacy last month, stating:
“The president has already said that he will make known whether or not he is a candidate in this election at the appropriate time.”
Biya has never designated a successor, and discussions about who might eventually replace him remain off-limits in political circles.
Former minister Garga Haman Adji expressed his belief that Biya’s victory is all but certain, stating in an interview last July:
“In the current context, even if he were lying on a stretcher, candidate Biya will be re-elected.”
Health Concerns and Restricted Public Appearances
Concerns over Biya’s health intensified last year when he disappeared from public view for several weeks. Amid persistent speculation, the government issued a statement confirming that he was in Switzerland, where he has been known to spend extended periods at luxury resorts. Shortly afterward, local media were formally banned from discussing the president’s health.
Since returning to Cameroon on October 21, Biya has made only a handful of public appearances, including a regional summit in Yaoundé, a few speeches broadcast on state television, and official photos from the presidential palace.
As in previous election years, calls for him to seek another term have surfaced from various quarters. In his New Year’s address, Biya hinted at his continued leadership, stating:
“My determination to serve you remains intact and is strengthened on a daily basis, given the scale of the challenges we face.”
In January, traditional leaders pledged their “total and unwavering” support, while some supporters on social media insisted Biya remains “strong enough” to serve two more terms.
Political Repression and Mounting Challenges
Human rights organisations frequently accuse Biya’s administration of stifling opposition. The last presidential election, in 2018, was marred by widespread allegations of fraud and led to a wave of political repression. Calls for Biya to step down remain rare, though frustration among citizens is growing.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference recently warned of mounting hardship, stating:
“In recent times, the anxieties of the vast majority of Cameroonians have increasingly transformed into cries of distress in the face of the misery they are experiencing and the degradation of our beautiful country.”
They also condemned widespread “corruption”, unemployment, and ongoing violence in multiple regions.
Since 2009, the far north of Cameroon has endured attacks from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Meanwhile, in the country’s west, a deadly conflict between security forces and armed separatist groups in the English-speaking regions has persisted since 2016.
Despite these crises, Biya painted an optimistic picture in his latest address, praising “the tremendous progress seen in recent years.” In a hoarse voice, he acknowledged “the next electoral deadline” while urging young people “not to listen to the sirens of chaos that some irresponsible people are sounding.”
Political Uncertainty and an Aging Government
Cameroon’s government has not been reshuffled since January 2019, and vacancies have mounted within Biya’s administration. Four ministerial seats remain unfilled following the deaths of officeholders, while more than a dozen lawmakers and five senators have passed away without being replaced.
As Biya turns 92, the question remains: will he seek yet another term, or will Cameroon’s long-serving leader finally step aside?
