Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest serving head of state at 92, has survived a legal challenge to his candidacy and will run for an eighth term in the country’s October 2025 election. Biya has been in power since 1982, making him Africa’s longest-serving leader, and the constitutional court’s decision clears the way for him to extend his rule beyond four decades.
Opposition figures had argued that Biya’s age and frequent absences from public life made him unfit to govern. Lawyer and opposition candidate Akere Muna told the court that “President Biya reigns but he doesn’t govern,” pointing to questions about his health. The court dismissed these arguments, ruling that Biya’s candidacy was valid.
The election field is more crowded than in past years. Two of Biya’s former allies, Bello Bouba Maigari and Issa Tchiroma Bakary, have broken ranks and are running against him. Analysts say this could split the ruling party’s base but may still end up benefiting Biya by dividing opposition support.
In the weeks leading up to the court ruling, Biya reshuffled the military, appointing new leaders in the infantry, navy, and air force, while promoting several officers. Observers believe this was a calculated move to secure loyalty from the armed forces as the election approaches.
Cameroon faces serious challenges ahead of the vote, including violence in its English-speaking regions, Boko Haram attacks in the north, and economic struggles hitting its young population. Many citizens are now debating whether stability under Biya is worth the cost of political stagnation, while others say the country urgently needs fresh leadership and democratic renewal.
