Cameroon’s long-time President, Paul Biya, is reportedly preparing to seek an eighth term in the 2025 Presidential Election.
Kennedy Wandera, the founder of the Foreign Press Association Africa, confirmed this on Thursday, citing a report from the news outlet The EastAfrican.
The report read, “Cameroon is due to hold its next presidential election in 2025, longtime President Paul Biya will be 93. He has confirmed that he will contest.”
At 91 years old, Paul Biya is among the world’s oldest and longest-serving leaders, having been president since 1982. Before becoming president, he served as Prime Minister from 1975 to 1982 under then-President Ahmadou Ahidjo.
In a contentious decision, Biya has recently delayed the country’s Parliamentary and Municipal elections until 2026, citing security issues in the Anglophone regions, where a separatist conflict has been ongoing since 2016.
The conflict, which started as protests against the marginalization perceived to be caused by the Francophone-dominated government, has now escalated into a full-scale insurgency. Armed groups are demanding the independence of the English-speaking North West and South West regions.
Biya’s tenure has been characterized by a mix of political stability and rising discontent. His administration has faced criticism for its authoritarian practices, including suppressing opposition parties, restricting press freedom, and using security forces to maintain control.
Despite these issues, Biya has successfully maintained his grip on power, repeatedly winning elections that critics claim were tainted by fraud and irregularities.
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