The village of “Mofi Meka,” nestled within the southern forests of Cameroon, witnessed the birth of Paul Biya on February 13, 1933. He remains the world’s longest-serving president, having secured an eighth term in office, which is set to extend his tenure for another seven years, leaving him nearing the age of 100.
Biya received his early education in local Catholic schools before pursuing his studies in Paris, where he earned a degree in international relations. Following Cameroon’s independence from France in 1961 under President Ahmadou Ahidjo, he joined the nation’s bureaucracy.
Rising through the ranks, Biya was appointed Prime Minister in 1975 and succeeded Ahidjo on November 6, 1982, after the latter’s unexpected resignation. This made him the second president in Cameroon’s history after independence and the oldest elected leader globally.
Over the past four decades, Biya has marginalized the opposition significantly and abolished presidential term limits in 2008, ensuring a path for his re-election time and again.
A New Chapter
It came as no shock when the Constitutional Council of Cameroon announced the re-election of 92-year-old Paul Biya, reaffirming his status as the world’s oldest serving head of state for an eighth consecutive term.
Amidst rumors of a close contest and claims of victory by his main opponent, former government minister Issa Chebirom Bakari, a tense atmosphere enveloped the announcement day, momentarily raising hopes for an electoral surprise.
However, the official results indicated Biya won with 53.7% compared to Bakari’s 35.2%, leaving many Cameroonians disappointed, feeling the outcome was merely another chapter in a familiar narrative.
His decision to stand for another seven-year term, after over 43 years in power, has sparked extensive debate—not just regarding his lengthy rule but also the enigmatic nature of his governance.
His prolonged absences, often spent in locations such as the Intercontinental Hotel in Geneva or secluded sites by its lake, have led to persistent questions about his actual exercise of power. Observers wonder whether decisions are made by him or if authority lies with Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute or Secretary-General Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh.
Last year, after delivering a speech in France commemorating World War II and attending the China-Africa Summit in Beijing, the president vanished from public view for a period of six weeks without explanation, fueling speculation about his health status.
While some officials asserted he was “working from Geneva as usual,” he only appeared again publicly upon returning to Yaoundé, welcomed by chants from his supporters.
A Silent Ruler
Analysts describe Biya’s leadership style as obscure and often stagnant; he rarely convenes large government meetings or directly addresses the nation on complex issues.
While his ministers and technical officials manage various development programs, a clear political vision is noticeably absent.
In a familiar scene, riot police clashed with protesters in Douala following the announcement of results, with reports of gunfire in Garoua, northern Cameroon. The opposition claimed the elections were “fraudulent” and that victory had been “stolen” from Bakari.
Suppression and Balance
Despite his government’s history of suppressing protests and jailing opponents, observers suggest that Biya’s prolonged rule cannot be solely attributed to force.
He has also served as a “balancer” in a multi-ethnic, multilingual country, uniting the equatorial south with the savannah north and blending the French-speaking majority with the English-speaking regions.
Having previously faced internal strife over state formation and federal unity, Biya has sought to create governments that include a range of social groups.
Additionally, his administrations—albeit under pressure from the International Monetary Fund—have managed to avoid major debt crises and achieve a semblance of financial stability.
Yet, during the last decade, he appears more akin to a ceremonial monarch than an active president, often delegating significant responsibilities to his ministers and merely endorsing key decisions.
Succession Struggles
As Biya ages, he has avoided naming a clear political successor, leading to latent competition within his ruling party, the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement.
In the absence of an announced heir, speculation about his son, Franck Biya, has circulated, even though he shows little interest in politics.
Despite Cameroon’s wealth of natural resources, Biya faces serious developmental and security challenges, notably in English-speaking regions that have witnessed protests evolving into armed conflicts since 2016.
His slow response to the crisis and late call for a “national dialogue” came after violence had escalated beyond the point of resolution.
Since his re-election in 2018 against opponent Maurice Kamto, who was later imprisoned for eight months, the pattern of “elections without change” has continued.
However, Bakari’s candidacy in 2025 has rekindled some optimism, especially since he garnered support across regional lines and publicly apologized in Bamenda for his previous role in suppressing protesters there.
Following the announcement of results this time, there was a surge of public frustration and anger, accompanied by security crackdowns and protests in major cities.
Analysts from Chatham House warn that Biya’s insistence on serving an eighth term poses severe risks to the country’s stability, as “political aging may lead to a profound legitimacy crisis.”