President Paul Biya of Cameroon has officially announced that he will run for re-election in the upcoming presidential elections, seeking an eighth term in office.
At 92 years old, Biya is the oldest serving president in the world.
The long-time leader, who has ruled Cameroon for 43 years, confirmed his candidacy in a message posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, ahead of the presidential election scheduled for October this year.
He told citizens:
“I am a candidate in the presidential election. I assure you that my objective remains to serve you in order to urgently resolve the problems affecting us.”
If re-elected, Paul Biya would continue ruling the country until he’s 100 years old. He has been in power since 1982 when he succeeded Ahmadou Ahidjo, who had stepped down.
His confirmation comes after months of speculation and growing pressure from his party, the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), and loyalists urging him to run again.
However, opposition parties and civil society groups have called for his retirement, arguing that his long rule has stalled the country’s economic development and democracy.
Biya, who is rarely seen in public and spends much of his time in Switzerland, sparked health rumors last year after he disappeared from public view for over 42 days. The government was later forced to deny rumors of his death and prohibited public debate about his health.
