Cameroons Presidential Elections Oct 12th.

Paul Biya at 92: Cameroon’s Aging Strongman Seeks a Seventh Term

Cameroon is bracing for a historic yet controversial election on October 12, 2025, as its long-time ruler Paul Biya, now 92 years old, sets his sights on a seventh presidential term. Having governed since 1982, Biya has already outlasted nearly every contemporary leader on the African continent, making him the world’s oldest sitting head of state.

A Nation at a Crossroads

For many Cameroonians, particularly the youth, Biya’s decision to run again is a bitter pill. Instead of inspiring pride, it has sparked ridicule across Africa and beyond, with critics portraying Cameroon as a country held hostage by one man’s relentless grip on power. In cafés, marketplaces, and online forums, jokes about the “forever president” circulate more often than hope for political renewal.

Young people, who make up the majority of the population, have become the target of mockery from neighboring nations. “How can a country with so much youthful energy still be led by a man older than independence itself?” one Ghanaian commentator quipped on social media.

The Machinery Behind the Throne

Analysts say Biya’s continued dominance is less about popularity and more about the loyal network of allies who work tirelessly to secure his position. Senior officials, regional governors, and military leaders—all carefully selected and reshuffled when necessary—form a protective wall around the presidency.

Critics argue these loyalists, often labeled “stooges,” will ensure that October’s election delivers a result favorable to Biya, regardless of the true will of the electorate. Opposition candidates face disqualification, restricted access to state media, and an electoral commission whose independence is widely questioned.

Youth Disillusionment and International Perception

The biggest casualty of this political stalemate is Cameroon’s younger generation. Many are disillusioned, seeing no realistic path to leadership or reform. Instead of admiration, they endure global embarrassment, as international observers point to Cameroon as an example of democracy stagnating in Africa.

“While other nations empower young innovators and leaders, Cameroonian youths are laughed at for being governed by someone in his tenth decade of life,” remarked one Pan-African scholar.

Looking Toward October 12

As election day approaches, the outcome appears all but predetermined. Few expect surprises; the structures of power remain tightly under Biya’s control. Yet questions loom: what happens if the aging leader, frail and rarely seen in public, cannot complete another term? Who will steer the nation in a post-Biya era?

For now, Cameroon faces the paradox of a youthful population ruled by a near-centenarian, a situation that continues to draw disbelief, criticism, and laughter from around the world.