Cameroon’s veteran leader Paul Biya has been re-elected for an eighth consecutive term, extending his decades-long rule that began in 1982. The 92-year-old president’s new seven-year mandate means he could remain in office until he is 99 years old.
Before constitutional changes in 2008, Cameroonian presidents were limited to two terms in office, but Biya’s government amended the law, effectively allowing him to run indefinitely.
According to official results announced by the Constitutional Council on Monday, Biya won 53.66% of the vote, while his main rival, former minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary, secured about 35%.
The election, held on October 12, 2025, was marked by opposition complaints of irregularities and reports of unrest in some regions. Despite growing criticism and calls for leadership renewal, Biya’s Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) maintained its strong grip on power.
Recognized as the world’s oldest serving head of state, Biya’s continued rule has drawn both admiration for his political endurance and criticism for the country’s slow democratic progress. As he begins another term, Cameroonians and the international community are watching closely to see how the nearly century-old leader will steer the nation’s political and economic future.
