Cameroon’s Paul Biya, 92, announces bid for eighth presidential term
Biya, the world’s oldest serving head of state, came to power more than 4 decades ago in 1982, when his predecessor Ahmadou Ahidjo resigned
Cameroon’s nonagenarian head of state, Paul Biya, will run for re-election in this year’s presidential vote expected on October 12, a post on the president’s social media account said on Sunday.
“I am a candidate in the presidential election of October 12, 2025. Rest assured that my determination to serve you matches the urgency of the challenges we face,” the post on the official account said.
Biya, the world’s oldest serving head of state, came to power more than four decades ago in 1982, when his predecessor Ahmadou Ahidjo resigned.
Several longstanding supporters of Biya appear to be distancing themselves and the president’s health is the subject of frequent speculation, most recently last year when he disappeared from public view for 42 days.
But the opposition is deeply divided and is struggling to unite behind a single candidate.
There have been two high-profile defections from Biya’s camp in recent weeks.