Cameroon’s 92-year-old President Paul Biya has officially declared his intention to run for an eighth term in office, a move that has reignited intense debate about the state of democracy and governance across Africa. The announcement, made via social media on July 13, sets the stage for yet another election with Biya at the helm, potentially extending his rule beyond four decades if he wins the October 2025 presidential vote.

“I am a candidate in the presidential election. Rest assured that my determination to serve you matches the urgency of the challenges we face,” Biya posted on X (formerly Twitter), according to a report from Reuters. The declaration comes amid growing concern over the erosion of term limits and the entrenchment of long-serving leaders across the continent.

Biya has ruled Cameroon since 1982 and eliminated constitutional term limits in 2008, clearing the way for unlimited re-election bids. His long-standing presidency, often described as one of the world’s most enduring, has become a symbol of political stagnation for many critics. Opposition parties, including those led by figures such as Maurice Kamto and Cabral Libii, have condemned the latest announcement as another blow to democratic integrity.

Observers argue that Biya’s decision is part of a wider trend across Africa, where term limit circumvention and power consolidation have undermined democratic institutions and disillusioned voters. This pattern, they say, discourages youth participation in politics and sends a dangerous message that leadership is a lifetime entitlement rather than a public trust.

Cameroon itself is facing multiple crises that call for renewed and responsive governance. The separatist conflict in the country’s Anglophone regions has displaced hundreds of thousands and led to significant loss of life. Meanwhile, insecurity in the Far North due to Boko Haram insurgents continues to destabilize the region. At the same time, Cameroonians struggle with widespread corruption, youth unemployment, and a slow-growing economy that fails to meet the needs of its population.

Criticism of Biya’s leadership also centers on his frequent absences from the country and governing from abroad, particularly from Switzerland. Many Cameroonians see this as a sign of detachment from the country’s realities and a governance style that prioritizes elite stability over national reform. Analysts argue that Cameroon’s institutions have become increasingly hollowed out under Biya’s leadership, with loyalty and political survival taking precedence over accountability and innovation.

Across Africa, Biya’s move resonates with a broader democratic decline. Similar constitutional changes and prolonged presidencies have occurred in Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda, and Rwanda, while military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Niger have replaced elected governments, citing citizen frustration over corruption and rigged elections. These developments are seen as symptoms of a larger crisis of leadership and democratic fragility.

The implications of Biya’s bid are particularly concerning for Africa’s youth, who make up the majority of the continent’s population but remain vastly underrepresented in politics and policymaking. Political observers warn that continued leadership monopolies may deepen disenchantment, fuel civil unrest, and drive more young Africans toward emigration or radical movements as they seek avenues for change.

By: TPA News Desk | editor@thepointafricanews.com