Yaoundé, Cameroon – July 14, 2025 — After months of intense speculation, Cameroon’s President Paul Biya has officially declared his intention to seek re-election, a move that has ignited fierce criticism from opposition groups and civil society organizations both inside and outside the country. At 92 years old, Biya is Africa’s second longest-serving leader and one of the oldest heads of state in the world.
In a post published Monday on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, President Biya wrote, “I have listened to the calls of my people and, with renewed determination, I announce my candidacy for the next presidential election. Together, we shall continue to build a peaceful and prosperous Cameroon. The best is yet to come.”
The announcement comes just over a year before Cameroonians head to the polls in 2026, and it marks yet another chapter in Biya’s four-decade political reign. He has ruled the Central African nation since 1982, following the resignation of the country’s first President, Ahmadou Ahidjo. Biya’s long tenure has been characterized by political dominance, allegations of electoral fraud, and persistent criticism over human rights abuses.
A Nation Divided Over Biya’s Bid
News of Biya’s re-election plans has drawn swift reactions across the political spectrum. For government loyalists, his decision is welcomed as a continuation of stability and experience. But for opposition leaders and pro-democracy activists, it is a sign of stagnation and democratic backsliding.
Joshua Osih, leader of the Social Democratic Front (SDF), one of the country’s main opposition parties, criticized Biya’s announcement as “an affront to the will of the people.”
“This is a president who has presided over a country sliding into economic decay, violent conflict, and institutional paralysis. At 92, he should be mentoring future leaders, not clinging to power,” Osih told Africa Live News in an exclusive interview.
Similarly, Alice Nkom, a prominent human rights lawyer and activist, called Biya’s decision “a tragic symbol of a country held hostage by gerontocracy.”
“Cameroon is being led by a man who spends more time abroad than at home, a man whose rule has silenced dissent and muzzled independent voices. We deserve better,” she said.
Tarnished Electoral Legacy
Biya last won re-election in 2018, securing over 70 percent of the vote. However, the election was marred by widespread allegations of irregularities, voter suppression, and violence in the country’s troubled Anglophone regions. International observers raised concerns about the lack of transparency and the intimidation of opposition supporters.
The U.S.-based Carter Center, which monitored the elections remotely, noted at the time that “the political space in Cameroon remains severely restricted, with significant impediments to a free and fair electoral process.”
The 2018 vote saw low voter turnout, particularly in the Northwest and Southwest regions, where an ongoing separatist insurgency has left hundreds dead and displaced thousands. The armed conflict—rooted in perceived marginalization of English-speaking Cameroonians—has raged on for over seven years, with schools shuttered, villages destroyed, and civilians caught in the crossfire.
Health and Absentee Leadership Concerns
President Biya’s frequent and extended trips abroad for medical treatment—mainly to Switzerland—have been a source of frustration for many Cameroonians. Critics argue that his physical absence has contributed to a vacuum in leadership and governance paralysis at critical moments.
In 2019, a protest movement by Cameroonian diaspora members in Geneva under the banner #OperationStopBiya went viral, demanding that Swiss authorities deny him access to public services due to his lavish and repeated stays at luxury hotels while Cameroon suffered economic challenges.
“It’s absurd that a leader spends so much time away from the country he governs. We are being ruled from a five-star hotel suite in Europe,” said Franklin Fomekong, a youth activist based in Douala.
The government has routinely downplayed concerns about Biya’s health, insisting that he remains fully capable of fulfilling his presidential duties. Minister of Communication René Emmanuel Sadi said on Tuesday that “President Biya’s leadership is unwavering and guided by his unmatched experience. His decision to run is in response to the overwhelming calls from Cameroonians who value peace and progress.”
Calls for Democratic Transition and Reform
Despite government assurances, calls are growing louder for a democratic transition in Cameroon. Critics say that decades of one-man rule have weakened institutions, stifled the emergence of new leadership, and worsened inequality.
“This is not about age. It’s about leadership and accountability. Cameroon’s institutions have become extensions of one man’s will. It is time for the youth to shape their own future,” said Dr. Henriette Mbatchou, a political analyst at the University of Yaoundé II.
International voices have also weighed in. The European Union released a cautious statement following Biya’s announcement, saying: “We continue to encourage inclusive political dialogue and reforms that support a transparent electoral process in Cameroon.”
What Lies Ahead
As Biya prepares to campaign for yet another term, Cameroon faces critical questions about the future of its democracy, the resolution of its internal conflicts, and the strength of its institutions.
Observers say the upcoming election could be a defining moment for a nation at the crossroads. The opposition, fragmented in recent years, now faces the urgent task of unifying if it hopes to mount a serious challenge to Biya’s enduring grip on power.
For millions of Cameroonians, the 2026 election is not just about who occupies the presidency—it’s about the kind of country they want to live in.
As one resident of Bamenda put it, “We are tired. Tired of war, tired of poverty, tired of being ignored. Whether Biya stays or goes, something must change.”
By Dickson Boadi | Africa Live News
Reporting from Yaoundé and Douala
