Cameroon’s Paul Biya attempted to run for an Eighth Term: Stability or Stagnation?

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At 92 years old, Paul Biya is one of the world’s oldest sitting heads of state. Up until his recent disputed result on October 12, 2025, he was seeking an eighth consecutive term as Cameroon’s president. Having governed since 1982, Biya is a defining figure of post-colonial Africa, given that he helped shape central African politics for 43 years. However, the extensive length of his service brings into question how stability can coexist with democratic stagnation, and has Cameroonians questioning the future of their nation's political life. 

The longevity of Biya’s tenure as president speaks to a greater paradox at the heart of Cameroon, a nation that is cognizant of uncertainty but overly accustomed to the familiarity of his regime. To many citizens, the name “Biya” has become synonymous with order and stability. However, a growing number of them, especially those on the younger side, believe the extensiveness of Biya’s incumbency is symbolic of an entrenched elitist regime that is resistant to change. 

Biya rose to power after the previous incumbent, Ahmadou Ahidjo, resigned in 1982, giving Biya control over state institutions. Over the next few decades, he restructured the constitutional system of Cameroon and expanded executive power, which ultimately resulted in the removal of presidential term limits by 2008. With no term limits and an election system labelled as  “opaque”, Biya has been able to ensure his dominance as the executive power in Cameroon.  

On the Freedom House scale, Cameroon is categorized as “not free” as a result of recurring reports of election manipulation, restrictions on civil liberties, and a problematic history of repression of the press. Tight control over media outlets, limited power given to opposition movements in the judiciary, and an elite-centered network in the government are all sustaining pillars of Paul Biya’s political rule. However, even amidst Biya’s questionable reforms, his supporters still look to him as a symbol of unity amidst a very linguistically, ethnically, and geographically diverse country. Additionally, Biya’s unnatural tenure has been attributed to the stability he provides in an otherwise chaotic region of the world: his supporters point to his success in avoiding the civil conflicts that have destabilized neighboring states such as Chad and the Central African Republic. Boya’s longevity gets framed by loyalists as a testament to stable leadership in a political environment where abrupt transitions of power can risk further fragmentation. Despite the democratic backsliding prevalent in his administration, Biya’s rule offers a familiar governing structure that many citizens have come to feel more comfortable with, opposed to swift political change.

The 2025 Cameroonian election featured nine candidates, yet the results are often regarded as predetermined. Biya’s main challenger in 2018, Maurice Kamto, was barred from running by the constitutional council for "unspecified" procedural reasons. Biya’s history of excluding major opposing figures has only deepened skepticism towards election fairness, as the removal of political opponents tends to reflect patterns of an authoritarian system. Another candidate was Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a former government spokesperson who emerged as the main contender in the northern provinces of the country. 

At the same time, public frustration over economic stagnation has intensified: youth unemployment is sitting at 40%, and about one in four university graduates is unable to find employment. These figures underscore growing generational inequality in a nation where over 60% of the population is under 25. Youth activist, Marie Flore Mboussi, argues that “Cameroon needs younger leadership that reflects its demographics and future ambitions.” 

Immediately after the October 12th vote, Issa Tchiroma declared victory based on regional counts and called Biya out directly, demanding a concession of victory and  stating “the will of the people must be respected.” Government officials and the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM) swiftly rejected these claims and stressed that only the Constitutional Council can announce official results, warning that the premature declaration of victory could lead to a “high treason” charge. Tensions would continue to rise as the CPDM reported that an office in Dschang was set on fire during protests, while chaos erupted outside the office of the electoral commission in Douala. Young Cameroonians are taking turns watching over the house of Tchiroma to ensure there are no arrests or harm made toward the candidate.

If reelected, Biya would be nearly 100 years old by the end of his next term, which would make him one of the longest-serving leaders in history. His presidency symbolizes the endurance of stable leadership in post-colonial Africa as well as the growing tension between stability and democratic renewal. The 2025 election is about more than choosing a president. It captures a struggle between continuity and change, and whether tenured regimes can meet the expectations of younger generations. Even a fair win would not erase concerns about how long Biya has held power. Many Cameroonians feel they deserve real political competition and the assurance that their voices matter. Continued censorship and the sidelining of opponents will only heighten public frustration. And once citizens lose faith in their government, the fallout rarely stays limited to protests alone.