In recent weeks, two West‐Central African nations—Paul Biya’s Cameroon and Alassane Ouattara’s Côte d’Ivoire—have reaffirmed the enduring rule of ageing leaders, even as the vast majority of their citizens are young and eager for change.
These outcomes speak to deep structural forces in African politics: patronage networks, weak opposition, youth disenchantment and the mechanisms of power that keep long‐time incumbents in control.
Older Leaders, Young Populations: A Stark Contrast
In Cameroon, Biya, now 92, was declared the winner of the October 12, 2025 election, marking his eighth term in office. Meanwhile in Côte d’Ivoire, Ouattara, age 83, is seeking a fourth term—after earlier constitutional changes and term resets cleared the path for his continued rule.
Across both countries the median age is under 20 years—yet power remains with leaders who have held office for decades. This generational mismatch is fueling mounting frustration. For many younger Africans, the refrain is: “We were born under this president. We will die under this president.”
Why The Incumbents Still Win
Several reasons help explain why aged incumbents continue to prevail:
- Entrenched patronage & state machinery: Both regimes benefit from deeply embedded networks of loyalty. In Cameroon, Biya’s party often controls both local and national levers of power.
- Weak, fragmented opposition: In Côte d’Ivoire, key rivals were disqualified or weakened ahead of the election, narrowing meaningful competition.
- Control over institutions & rules: Constitutional tweaks and electoral management practices have extended incumbents’ tenures—Ouattara used a constitutional reset; Biya removed term limits in earlier years.
- Youth disengagement: Many younger voters feel the system is stacked. In Cameroon, for example, a young vendor told reporters he wouldn’t vote, saying he didn’t believe the process was genuine.
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The Consequences of Stalled Renewal
When leadership renewal doesn’t happen, several things can follow:
- Growing alienation: Youth who feel ignored by the state may withdraw from formal politics, or turn to protest, social media activism, or mobilization outside regular channels.
- Succession risk: With no clear transition plan, instability may rise when an old leader leaves office—intentionally or otherwise. Reports suggest Biya’s health and succession question remain unresolved.
- Institutional decay: If power rests on one person and their network rather than open competition and turnover, public trust in democratic systems erodes.
- Policy stagnation: Governments anchored in longevity may struggle to respond to rapidly changing youth priorities—jobs, technology, climate, voice.
What This Means for Africa’s Future
The elections in Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire are not isolated events—they point to a broader challenge facing many African countries: a youthful populace locked out of meaningful change while older leadership persists. The tension is set to grow unless structural reforms take hold.
For readers of I Love Africa, the implications are clear:
- Watch the youth voices: from poetry collectives in Abidjan to market stalls in Yaoundé, young people are not silent.
- Examine the institutions: true renewal often hinges not just on who leads, but how power is structured and contested.
- Recognize the moment: Africa is changing faster than many leaderships are responding. That gap may be the real fault‐line in years to come.
