At 92 years old, Paul Biya is campaigning for his eighth term as Cameroon’s president, which would make him nearly 100 years old by the end of this tenure—a new world record for a sitting head of state. Biya has been in power since 1982 and has seen Cameroon through decades marked by political control and allegations of electoral manipulation.
The recent 2025 election process has drawn growing attention amid increased opposition support and calls for political change in Cameroon. Nonetheless, Biya and his ruling party, the RDPC, continue to enjoy wide backing, with opposition candidates facing hurdles including disqualification.
Biya’s prolonged rule has been marked by delegating many administrative functions to party officials and family members, as his advanced age leads to speculation about his ability to govern actively. Still, Biya insists on continuing his leadership role to meet the pressing challenges faced by Cameroon.
