Cameroon's Paul Biya Turns 92 After Over 40 Years in Power
Cameroonian President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest head of state, marks his 92nd birthday on Thursday, having spent more than four decades in office. However, he has yet to confirm whether he will seek another term in this year’s October elections.
Despite the uncertainty, many—including the divided opposition—believe he will run for an eighth term. Following the controversial 2018 elections, Biya further tightened his grip on power, with dissent often met with repression, arrests, and imprisonment, according to human rights organizations.
Last month, government spokesperson Rene Emmanuel Sadi stated that Biya would announce his decision on candidacy "at the appropriate time." Meanwhile, he has not designated a successor, making discussions on his potential replacement a sensitive topic.
Concerns about Biya’s health intensified last year after he vanished from public view for weeks. Officials later confirmed he was in Switzerland, where he frequently stays at luxury resorts. The government has since banned local media from discussing his health.
Since returning to Cameroon on October 21, Biya has made only a few public appearances, including a regional summit in Yaoundé and several televised speeches. Calls for him to run again have emerged, with traditional leaders and some supporters insisting he remains strong enough for more terms.
Political and Security Challenges
Biya’s government has long faced accusations of repressing opposition voices. His 2018 re-election was met with protests and political crackdowns, yet open calls for his resignation remain rare.
However, concerns over corruption, unemployment, and violence persist. Catholic bishops have condemned the country’s decline, warning that Cameroonians' frustration is turning into “cries of distress”.
The nation continues to grapple with security crises, including attacks from Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the far north, as well as ongoing conflicts in the English-speaking western regions, where separatist groups clash with government forces.
Despite these challenges, Biya insists the country has made "tremendous progress" and has urged young people to reject calls for chaos. His administration has remained largely unchanged since January 2019, with several ministerial and legislative seats left vacant following officials' deaths.
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