The announcement was made on Sunday via posts on his official X account, shared in both French and English. Biya is currently the world’s oldest serving head of state.
Cameroon's 92-year-old President, Paul Biya, has declared his intention to seek an eighth term in office in the country’s upcoming presidential election scheduled for October 12.
The announcement was made on Sunday via posts on his official X account, shared in both French and English. Biya is currently the world’s oldest serving head of state.
“I am a candidate for the 12 October 2025 presidential election,” he said.
“Rest assured that my determination to serve you is commensurate with the serious challenges facing us. Together, there are no challenges we cannot meet.”
“The best is still to come,” he added.
In a statement titled, ‘Declaration of Candidacy for the 12 October 2025 Presidential Election by His Excellency Paul BIYA,’ the president said “ensuring the security and well-being of the sons and daughters of our beloved and beautiful country is the sacred duty to which I have devoted my time and energy since assuming the helm of State”.
“However, much remains to be done. In the face of an increasingly difficult international environment, the challenges facing us are more and more pressing,” he said. “In such a situation, I cannot shirk my mission.”
“I have therefore decided to heed the numerous and insistent calls from the ten regions of our country and from the diaspora.”
“The best is still to come,” he added.
Biya, whose new bid could see him remain in power until nearly 100, first assumed office in 1982 following the resignation of his predecessor, Ahmadou Ahidjo. He has now ruled Cameroon for over four decades.
Speculation about his health has been persistent, especially after he vanished from public view for 42 days last year. Though his re-election campaign was widely expected, it was only officially confirmed on Sunday via social media.
When Biya returned to Cameroon last October after a prolonged absence, rumours of ill health intensified. The government, however, insisted he was in good condition and went as far as banning public discussion of his health, citing national security concerns.
In 2008, Biya eliminated presidential term limits, allowing him to seek re-election indefinitely. He secured victory in the 2018 presidential election with 71.28 percent of the vote, though opposition parties challenged the outcome, citing widespread electoral fraud.
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