Cameroon’s Paul Biya Seeks Eighth Term as Nation Faces Deepening Crises
Cameroon is preparing for a pivotal presidential election on October 12, a vote that is widely expected to extend the rule of Paul Biya, Africa’s second-longest-serving leader. At 92, Biya is seeking an unprecedented eighth term in office, despite growing domestic and international calls for him to step down.
Biya has ruled Cameroon for 43 years, steering the Central African nation through decades of political turbulence, corruption allegations, and regional conflict. Yet, his critics argue that his prolonged leadership has stalled progress, stifled political freedoms, and deepened social divisions in a country rich in oil and cocoa.
A Nation Gripped by Economic and Security Challenges
Cameroon’s upcoming election comes at a time of mounting economic hardship and social unrest. The cost of living has surged, youth unemployment remains stubbornly high, and armed attacks in the Far North region continue to destabilize communities. Meanwhile, the Anglophone crisis in the southwest and northwest — rooted in demands for independence by English-speaking regions — has displaced hundreds of thousands of people.
More than 8.2 million Cameroonians aged 20 and above are eligible to vote. However, voter apathy is widespread, with many citizens convinced the system is rigged in favor of Biya’s Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM).
Despite the discontent, analysts predict Biya will likely retain power for another seven years, extending his presidency potentially until the age of 100.
A Young Population Under an Aging Leader
With a population of about 30 million, Cameroon is strikingly young — 60% of its citizens are under 25. For most, Biya is the only leader they have ever known. While Yaoundé serves as the political capital, Douala — the country’s largest city and main seaport — remains the commercial heartbeat of the nation.
The generational divide is becoming increasingly evident. Young Cameroonians express frustration over unemployment, corruption, and limited political representation, yet many fear speaking out due to government crackdowns on dissent.
Who Is Running in Cameroon’s 2025 Presidential Election?
A total of 12 candidates are contesting the election. The winner needs only a simple majority to claim victory.
Paul Biya, leading the CPDM, remains the frontrunner. Having first taken office in 1982 after serving as prime minister, Biya has built a powerful political machine. His most prominent rival from the 2018 election, Maurice Kamto, who secured 14% of the vote, has been barred from running this time. A splinter faction of his alliance, the MANIDEM party, registered another candidate, effectively sidelining Kamto.
Other notable candidates include:
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Akere Muna (73) – A seasoned lawyer and technocrat representing the Univers Party, Muna has served with the African Development Bank and Transparency International. Known as “Mr. Clean” for his anti-corruption stance, he pledges to end graft and resolve the Anglophone conflict.
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Cabral Libii (45) – A journalist and leader of the Cameroon Party for National Reconciliation (PCRN), Libii is campaigning on anti-corruption and youth empowerment.
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Joshua Osih (56) – Representing the Social Democratic Front (SDF), Osih is advocating for national unity and an end to violence in Anglophone areas.
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Hermine Patricia Toimaino Ndam Njoya (56) – A veteran lawmaker and mayor, Njoya is the third woman ever to run for the presidency, representing the Democratic Union of Cameroon.
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Bello Bouba Maigari (78) – Once a close ally of Biya and a former tourism minister, Maigari leads the National Union for Democracy and Progress (UNDP). He promises change in the conflict-hit Far North, which has suffered years of Boko Haram attacks.
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Issa Tchiroma Bakary (76) – A former employment minister now running under the Front for the National Salvation of Cameroon, Bakary has promised economic revitalization and improved security.
Meanwhile, Maurice Kamto, recently nominated by the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM) before being barred, continues to draw crowds and question the election’s fairness.
Paul Biya’s Enduring Legacy
Since taking power more than four decades ago, Biya has shaped Cameroon’s political landscape through a blend of tight control, strategic alliances, and institutional dominance. His critics describe him as absent and authoritarian, pointing to reports that he spends long stretches abroad — mostly in Switzerland for private or medical visits. Investigations suggest Biya has spent over 1,600 days outside Cameroon during his presidency.
Under his rule, Cameroon’s rich resources — including oil, timber, and cocoa — have failed to translate into widespread prosperity. The country continues to struggle with corruption, infrastructure decay, and sluggish economic growth.
Analysts such as Dr. Manu Lekunze of Aberdeen University attribute Biya’s political survival to his divide-and-rule strategy, which weakens opposition coalitions and maintains loyalty within his own ranks. Biya’s close ties with the military also ensure protection from internal threats or coups.
The Anglophone Crisis and Human Rights Concerns
One of the darkest chapters of Biya’s tenure is the ongoing Anglophone conflict, which erupted in 2016 after peaceful protests by lawyers and teachers were met with heavy-handed military force. What began as a call for fair treatment of English-speaking Cameroonians evolved into a secessionist movement seeking an independent state called Ambazonia.
According to Human Rights Watch, more than 600,000 people have been displaced, and thousands killed. Critics accuse the government of brutal crackdowns, while separatist groups have also been blamed for attacks on civilians and schools.
A Question of Succession and Stability
Biya made his first and likely only appearance during this year’s campaign in the Far North, where the emergence of new opposition figures has unsettled his base. Behind the scenes, however, growing tension surrounds the question of succession. Many fear instability when Biya eventually leaves office.
“There are deep divisions within his party over who will succeed him,” said Lekunze. “Combined with rising ethnic tensions, it’s a potential recipe for political instability.”
Cameroon’s parliament removed term limits in 2008, allowing Biya to run indefinitely — a decision that entrenched his dominance but further eroded public trust in democratic institutions.
A Nation at a Crossroads
As Cameroon heads to the polls, the outcome appears almost certain — yet uncertainty looms large over the nation’s future. For millions of young Cameroonians, the election symbolizes not hope but the continuation of a political era they never chose.
While Biya’s supporters hail him as a source of stability, his critics see him as a relic of a bygone age — one whose departure could either ignite reform or plunge Cameroon into crisis.