At 92, Cameroon’s President Paul Biya the world’s oldest serving head of state has announced he’ll run for re-election.
Biya made the declaration on July 13 via a post on his official X account:
“I am a candidate in the presidential election. Rest assured that my determination to serve you matches the urgency of the challenges we face.”
If re-elected, this would be his eighth term and could keep him in power well into his 100s. He first took office in 1982 after then-president Ahmadou Ahidjo stepped down, and in 2008, Biya eliminated term limits, effectively giving himself the option to rule indefinitely.
While his candidacy was widely expected, it wasn’t officially confirmed until Sunday’s post. In the lead-up, Biya had been unusually active on social media, fueling speculation.
His health continues to be a point of concern. Last year, he vanished from public view for 42 days, sparking rumours about his condition. The government denied any health issues and even banned public discussion on the matter, calling it a national security issue.
Biya rarely appears in public and often delegates key duties to his chief of staff. His decision to seek another term is likely to reignite debate over whether he’s still fit to govern.
Meanwhile, Cameroon under his rule has faced growing economic strain and persistent insecurity in several regions.
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