President Paul Biya of Cameroon, Africa’s longest-serving leader, has confirmed his intention to contest the next presidential election, which has been postponed to 2026.
Biya, who is currently 91 years old, will be 93 at the time of the election and is seeking an unprecedented eighth term in office.
Kennedy Wandera, the founder of the Foreign Press Association Africa, shared this information on Thursday, August 22, citing a report from TheEastAfrican.
The report indicates that Cameroon’s presidential election, originally scheduled for 2025, has been pushed to 2026, a decision that has fueled political tension within the country.
The opposition has expressed outrage over both the postponement and Biya’s decision to run again despite his advanced age.
They argue that these moves are intended to ensure Biya’s continued dominance in Cameroonian politics.
The delay also extends to the parliamentary and municipal elections, with Cameroon’s parliament recently approving Biya’s request to defer these elections to 2026, citing a crowded political calendar.
Biya has held the presidency since 1982, following a seven-year tenure as Prime Minister. His reign as president has now lasted 42 years, making him one of the world’s longest-serving leaders.
If Biya wins the 2026 election and completes the subsequent seven-year term, he would be 100 years old by the time his mandate ends in 2032.
Opposition leaders fear that they may be barred from contesting the election, leaving Biya to potentially run unopposed, further solidifying his grip on power.
The political climate in Cameroon remains tense as the country looks ahead to the 2026 elections.
