President of Cameroon Paul Biya at 93 seeks re-election

President of Cameroon Paul Biya at 93 seeks re-election

President Paul Biya of Cameroon, one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, is preparing to seek re-election at the age of 93.

The news, initially reported by The EastAfrican and shared by Kennedy Wandera, the founder of the Foreign Press Association Africa, has stirred significant reactions.

According to the report, Biya, who has been in power since 1982 after succeeding President Ahmadou Ahidjo, confirmed his intention to run in the 2025 presidential election.

If successful, Biya would be 100 years old by the end of his new seven-year term in 2032.

Biya’s decision to extend the election timeline by a year and his determination to remain in power despite his advanced age have fueled discontent among opposition leaders in Cameroon.

The report suggests that these opposition figures might face barriers to contesting the election, potentially paving the way for Biya to secure yet another term.

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In a recent move, Cameroon’s parliament approved Biya’s proposal to delay the parliamentary and municipal elections until 2026, arguing that the country’s political calendar was overcrowded.

Traditionally, legislative elections in Cameroon precede the presidential race, with the strength of the political parties in the legislative polls influencing the presidential candidates.

Now, following Biya’s decree, the election of Members of Parliament and municipal councillors will be postponed until after the presidential election in 2025, effectively extending the current lawmakers’ mandate.

Despite the upcoming elections, many Cameroonians reportedly remain hesitant to register as voters, expressing concerns that the electoral process might be rigged in favor of President Biya.

Biya, who will turn 93 at the time of the next election, has faced accusations of electoral fraud in previous contests, most notably in 2018, when his victory was heavily disputed by the opposition.

President of Cameroon Paul Biya at 93 seeks re-election

(GUARDIAN)