Paul Biya, 92, Declares Bid for Eighth Term in Cameroon’s 2025 Election
At 92, Cameroon’s long-serving President Paul Biya has officially declared his intention to run for an eighth term in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for October 12, 2025. Biya, who has been in power since 1982, made the announcement via social media, stating that his determination to serve matches the urgency of the nation’s challenges. His candidacy comes despite ongoing debates over his advanced age and health, especially after a long public absence last year. Critics have raised concerns about his physical capacity to govern, though any public discussion about his health remains a sensitive topic in Cameroon.
Biya’s decision has sparked mixed reactions across the political landscape. While loyalists within his CPDM party continue to rally behind him, cracks are emerging as some former allies, including ex-ministers Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari, have also declared their intent to contest. The opposition, featuring names like Maurice Kamto, Joshua Osih, and Cabral Libii, views this election as a critical moment to challenge Biya’s decades-long grip on power. With the country still grappling with separatist conflicts, economic challenges, and growing calls for democratic reforms, the 2025 election is shaping up to be a crucial test of both Biya’s resilience and Cameroon’s political future.
