Paul Biya Seeks 8th Term Amid Defections and Rising Opposition
Paul Biya, the long-serving president of Cameroon, has officially announced his candidacy for an eighth term in office, sparking renewed debate and concern across the nation and beyond. At 92 years old, Biya has held the reins of power for nearly 43 years, making him one of the longest-ruling leaders in the world. His decision, revealed on Sunday, July 13 via his official X (formerly Twitter) account, comes as a surprise to some but as a continuation of a deeply entrenched political tradition to others.
“I remain determined to serve you with the same commitment, in the face of the major challenges we face,” Biya stated in his message, reaffirming his intention to participate in the October 12 presidential election. But this announcement does not come in a vacuum—it arrives at a time when cracks within his own political circle are becoming more visible. In recent weeks, key figures from Biya's long-standing ruling coalition have broken ranks and declared their own presidential ambitions.
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Among them is Issa Tchiroma Bakary, former Minister of Employment and Vocational Training, who has now aligned himself with the Front for the National Salvation of Cameroon. Another significant defector is Maïgari Bello Bouba, a former prime minister and leader of the National Union for Democracy and Progress (UNDP), historically a loyal partner of Biya's regime. Their departures highlight growing internal dissent and suggest that the unity which once surrounded Biya may be slowly unraveling.
The political maneuvering ahead of the July 21 candidacy deadline reflects a broader uncertainty in Cameroon’s future. While Biya remains the face of the Rassemblement Démocratique du Peuple Camerounais (RDPC), the country’s former single-party ruler, opposition figures like Maurice Kamto—who challenged Biya in the 2018 elections—and Cabral Libii are once again stepping forward, determined to shift the balance of power.
As Biya prepares to seek yet another term, questions abound. Is Cameroon ready for generational change? Will the electorate embrace continuity or demand transformation? For a country grappling with socio-political unrest, economic inequality, and youth disenfranchisement, Biya’s decision could either reinforce the status quo or galvanize a turning point in Cameroon’s political history.
Only time—and the people—will tell.
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