Defiant at 92: Paul Biya Declares Eighth-Term Bid Despite Family, Church, and Global Outcry

YAOUNDÉ — Cameroon’s 92-year-old President, Paul Biya, has stunned both allies and critics by officially declaring his intention to seek an unprecedented eighth term in office, brushing aside mounting pressure from religious leaders, political insiders, and even his own daughter to step down after 42 years at the helm.

Biya, Africa’s oldest head of state, announced his decision on Saturday, insisting that he was merely responding to the “numerous and insistent calls” of Cameroonians to continue leading. But the declaration has triggered a wave of outrage across the nation, with critics warning that another Biya term could push the country deeper into political paralysis and economic stagnation.

Church and Family Join Opposition

Catholic Archbishop Samuel Kleda became the first prominent voice to openly challenge Biya’s longevity in power, telling French radio on Christmas 2024 that it was “not realistic” for a nonagenarian to continue governing. His comments sparked a rare public debate in a country where criticism of the president is often muted.

Soon after, two cabinet ministers from the country’s northern stronghold resigned, citing concerns over Biya’s frailty and dwindling capacity to lead. The pressure reached its most sensational point when Biya’s 27-year-old daughter, Brenda Biya, posted a TikTok video declaring her father had “made too many people suffer” and urging voters to “choose change.” Though she later deleted the video and issued an apology, the clip continues to circulate widely, igniting conversations about Cameroon’s political future.

Analysts Warn of ‘Fear Politics’

Despite these unusual cracks in the ruling elite, analysts say Biya remains the frontrunner ahead of the October 12 polls. “He has managed to enforce loyalty to him and the system,” said Arrey Ntui, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group. “When it comes to the president, there is no more independent thinking.”

Biya has ruled with an iron grip since succeeding his mentor Ahmadou Ahidjo in 1982. Over the decades, he has survived a coup attempt, quelled opposition uprisings, and scrapped constitutional term limits in 2008—paving the way for indefinite re-election. His past victories, in 2011 and 2018, were dogged by allegations of widespread rigging and intimidation.

Speculation over Biya’s health surged last year when he disappeared from public view for 42 days. The government dismissed such talk as “pure fantasy,” even as it banned citizens from discussing the president’s condition. This tight-lipped approach, critics say, underscores a system where fear has become a tool of governance.

“Fear of arrest has become a tool of governance,” said Raoul Sumo Tayo of the Institute for Security Studies. “People stay silent because everyone wants to live—and that silence keeps the regime strong.”

Adding to concerns about the credibility of this year’s election, Biya’s strongest challenger, Maurice Kamto, was barred from contesting after a court invalidated his party’s nomination in July. Human Rights Watch condemned the move as “deeply troubling,” accusing the government of undermining the democratic process. Kamto, who was jailed after rejecting the 2018 election results, remains a potent symbol of Cameroon’s fractured opposition.

While Biya clings to power, ordinary Cameroonians struggle daily with failing infrastructure, unreliable electricity, poor roads, and dwindling access to clean water and healthcare. The country, one of the world’s largest cocoa producers, remains mired in poverty despite its vast natural resources.

If Biya secures another victory on October 12, his reign will extend into a fifth decade—cementing his place not only as the world’s oldest sitting president but also as one of its longest-ruling leaders.

For many citizens, that prospect feels less like continuity and more like a never-ending grip on power.