Cameroon went to the polls on Sunday in a historic and contentious election that could see President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest sitting head of state at 92, extend his rule for another seven years — a tenure that would take him close to his 100th birthday.
Biya, who has ruled the Central African nation since 1982, is seeking an eighth term in office, amid growing discontent over corruption, insecurity, and the country’s struggling economy. Analysts predict another victory for the veteran leader, though critics say cracks are beginning to show in the foundations of his long-standing power.
Having succeeded Cameroon’s founding president Ahmadou Ahidjo, Biya has led the nation through decades of political dominance under his Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM). Cameroon has had only two leaders since independence in 1960, and Biya has consistently maintained control through successive elections often marred by allegations of irregularities.
Now aged 92, the president has faced persistent speculation over his health and his long stays abroad, particularly in Europe, where he is believed to spend much of his time. Day-to-day governance, observers say, has increasingly fallen to close aides and family members.
“Mr. Biya was the weakest candidate the CPDM could put forward on account of his age and the poor state of the country after his 43 years in power,” said Dr. Benjamin Akih, a political scientist and activist at Syracuse University, who believes opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary could perform unexpectedly well.
Biya faces nine challengers, including Bello Bouba Maigari, a former tourism minister, and Bakary, who recently served as minister of employment.
At 34, first-time voter Cheukam Ginette said she was casting her ballot for change:
“Life is expensive, medical care is hard to get, and our roads are terrible. Everything is broken. I voted for the opposition because we can’t continue like this,” she said outside a polling station in Yaoundé.
Joshua Osih of the opposition Social Democratic Front (SDF), who came fourth in the 2018 race, told the Associated Press that he feared voter fraud but urged patience during the long counting process.
“The system makes it such that elections cannot be free and fair. But we remain hopeful,” he said.
Cameroon’s electoral law allows only one round of voting, meaning whoever wins the majority automatically becomes president.
Biya cast his vote at a primary school in Yaoundé, telling reporters he would not speak about his plans until after results are announced. He has framed his continued leadership as a patriotic duty, saying:
“In such a situation, I cannot shirk my mission.”
The country’s challenges are immense. Nearly 43% of Cameroonians live in poverty, according to UN estimates. The Anglophone crisis in the west — a bloody conflict between government forces and separatists — continues to claim lives, while the Boko Haram insurgency in the north threatens stability along the Nigerian border.
At least 8 million voters, including 34,000 abroad, were registered to cast ballots across more than 31,000 polling stations. Results are expected no later than October 26.
Whether Biya’s near-half-century in power will continue or finally end depends on an electoral process many Cameroonians say remains deeply flawed — but still carries their fragile hope for change.
