Paul Biya has been in power in Cameroon since 1982, when he took over as president after the resignation of his predecessor and mentor, Ahmadou Ahidjo. After taking power, Biya marginalized Ahidjo and then forced him to leave the country. He has been present in politics since the 1960s, when Cameroon gained independence.
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Piya announced his participation in the elections in July on social media. “I assure you that my determination to serve you is adequate to the seriousness of the challenges we face. Together, there are no challenges that we cannot overcome,” he said in a post on the X platform.
If Biya wins this year's elections, it will be his eighth consecutive term. In 2008, he himself ensured the continuity of power. It was then that an amendment abolishing the president's term of office was introduced into the constitution. One term lasts seven years, which means he will be almost 100 years old at the time of the next election.
Paul Biya is the oldest leader in the world. It is replaced by puppets and portraits
The character of Paul Biya has long been controversial in Cameroon. According to Al Jazeera, Biya vigorously suppresses any dissent with the military and security apparatus at his command, and under Biya's rule the country has sunk into economic stagnation and corruption.
Paul Biya during his visit to Beijing in 2024.Wu Hao – Pool / Getty Images
In 2018, Biya won over 71 percent. votes, but opposition candidates accused the authorities of falsifying the results, adding votes to the ballot boxes and intimidating voters. At the same time, his rare public appearances spark speculation about who actually holds power in the country.
In 2024, as rumors of the president's death spread across the country, the government banned public discussions about his health. Instead, a framed portrait or life-size effigy is used at official speeches and ceremonies. During this year's campaign, the president appeared only at one rally, and his election spot was created using artificial intelligence.
Paul Biya is currently the oldest serving leader in the world. He ranks third among heads of state in terms of length of time in power, surpassed only by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, who has been on the throne since 1973, and the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, who took power in 1967.
