Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, Africa’s longest-serving leader, is gearing up to run for an eighth term in the 2026 presidential election, when he will be 93 years old. Currently 91, Biya has been at the helm of Cameroon’s government for 42 years, having first assumed the presidency in 1982 after serving as Prime Minister for seven years.
Kennedy Wandera, Founder of the Foreign Press Association Africa, revealed this on Thursday, August 22, citing TheEastAfrican.
The report read, “Cameroon is due to hold its next presidential election in 2025. Longtime President Paul Biya will be 93. He has confirmed that he will contest. If he wins the election, and completes the new seven-year mandate, Biya will be 100 years in 2032.”
Biya’s decision to delay the election by a year, pushing it from 2025 to 2026, and his intent to run despite his advanced age, has sparked outrage among opposition parties.
The report highlighted that opposition politicians may face restrictions in contesting, potentially leaving Biya unchallenged for another seven-year term.
Adding to the controversy, Biya postponed the Parliamentary and Municipal elections until 2026.
According to the report, “Cameroon’s parliament last month approved Biya’s request to postpone parliamentary and municipal elections until 2026 to allow some breathing space, claiming that the political calendar is crowded.”
