Paul Biya: 91 Years Old, 41 Years in Power… Calls for His Candidacy in 2025 Persist

Biya, who is Africa’s oldest and second longest-serving leader, appeared in good health and spirits in his traditional message to the youth on the eve of his birthday, addressing his “young compatriots” and urging them to work for the unity and development of the country.

The state-owned daily Cameroon Tribune hailed Biya’s birthday as “The celebration of Paul Biya”, and reported that several events were organized across the country by associations and groups to pay homage to the president and reaffirm their unwavering support.

The newspaper of Biya’s ruling party, the Cameroon People’s Democratic Rally (RDPC), also made its appearance on his birthday to announce that “The youth reiterates their love for Paul Biya”. A spokesperson for the youth wing of the party said that the young people of Cameroon were “unwaveringly and irreversibly” attached and loyal to their “father”.

The president’s son, Franck Emmanuel Biya, who is seen by some as a possible successor, also expressed his support for his father’s candidacy in the 2025 election, when he attended a meeting of the RDPC in France in November 2023.

However, not everyone in Cameroon shares the same enthusiasm for Biya’s long rule and possible bid. Some opposition parties, civil society groups, and media outlets have questioned his track record, his longevity in power, and his advanced age, and have called for political and electoral reforms, dialogue, and change.

The daily Mutations from Yaounde posed the question, “The paradox of Biya”, and wondered how the head of state could be celebrated triumphantly across the country, predominantly by the youth, while some criticized his performance and legitimacy.

Le Jour, another daily from Yaounde, also asked, “Is Paul Biya in communion with the people?”, and noted that the mobilization of elites and various social strata for his birthday could be seen as a symbolic appropriation of the day by a significant portion of the population.

The Anglophone crisis, which has been ongoing since 2016 and has claimed the lives of more than 3,000 people and displaced over 700,000, according to the United Nations¹, is one of the main challenges and criticisms that Biya faces. The crisis stems from the historical and cultural grievances of the Anglophone minority, who make up about 20% of the population and who have long complained of marginalization and discrimination by the Francophone majority and the government. The crisis escalated in 2016, when peaceful protests by Anglophone teachers and lawyers were met with a violent crackdown by the security forces, leading to the emergence of armed separatist groups who declared the independence of a self-proclaimed state called Ambazonia. The security forces and the separatists have both been accused of committing serious human rights violations and abuses against civilians, such as killings, torture, kidnappings, and arson.

Biya has shown little willingness or interest to engage in a meaningful dialogue or negotiation with the separatists, and has instead opted for a military solution and a crackdown on dissent. He has also rejected any external mediation or intervention, such as from the African Union or the United Nations, and has accused some foreign powers, such as France and the United States, of interfering in his country’s internal affairs.

Biya’s supporters argue that he is the best guarantor of Cameroon’s stability and sovereignty, and that he has brought development and progress to the country, despite the challenges and difficulties. They also point to his achievements and initiatives, such as the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, the reform of the AU Commission, and the hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations, which will take place in Cameroon from January 9 to February 6, 2022.

Biya is a former prime minister who took over from the country’s first president, Ahmadou Ahidjo, in 1982, following his resignation. He has won seven consecutive presidential elections, the last one in 2018 with 71% of the vote, according to official results. However, his victories have been marred by allegations of fraud, irregularities, and low turnout. He also changed the constitution in 2008 to remove term limits, allowing him to run indefinitely.

Biya has not yet announced whether he will run for another term in 2025, but he has said that he still has time to decide. He has also not named or groomed a successor, leaving the question of his succession open and uncertain.