Cameroonian President Paul Biya, one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, has suggested he might seek another term in office as the country approaches its 2025 presidential elections. The 91-year-old leader made the subtle revelation during his end-of-year address to the nation, hinting at a continued role in shaping the country’s future despite decades in power.
Biya described 2025 as “full of challenges,” a statement widely interpreted as a signal of his intention to remain at the helm of the Central African nation. He also acknowledged growing calls from within his party, the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), urging him to run again.
“I am attentive to the calls from party members,” Biya stated, alluding to the recent propaganda campaigns launched by CPDM supporters promoting his candidacy.
Paul Biya has ruled Cameroon since 1982, making him one of the world’s longest-serving heads of state. If he were to contest and win another term, it would extend his presidency beyond 43 years, further solidifying his political dominance in the nation’s history.
Under the CPDM’s constitution, Biya remains the party’s sole candidate, leaving little room for internal contestation or alternative leadership within the ruling coalition.
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Biya’s potential re-election bid has drawn mixed reactions. Supporters hail his experience and argue that continuity is essential for navigating the challenges ahead. Critics, however, have raised concerns about governance, economic stagnation, and a lack of political transition in a nation where nearly 60% of the population was born after Biya first took office.
Observers have also questioned the feasibility of a nonagenarian leader continuing to oversee a country grappling with economic difficulties, security issues, and separatist conflicts in its Anglophone regions.
With the 2025 elections on the horizon, the political landscape in Cameroon remains uncertain. Biya’s cryptic message has left analysts speculating about the future of leadership in the nation, and whether the next election will offer any significant shift in governance.
As Cameroonians await clarity on the president’s intentions, the prospect of yet another term under Biya underscores the broader challenges of political renewal and democratic evolution in the region.