Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jul 01, 2025

At Age 92, the World’s Oldest President Has No Succession Plan — and That Could Spark a Crisis

Cameroon’s Paul Biya, in power since 1982, faces rising internal dissent and mounting generational pressure, as fears grow of instability in the absence of a designated successor.

Cameroon’s President Paul Biya has ruled his Central African nation for more than four decades, making him both the longest-serving elected leader and the oldest sitting head of state in the world. Now, at the age of 92, with less than a month left for candidates to register for the next presidential election, speculation is intensifying: Will Biya run again?

Though he has yet to formally announce his intentions, many in Cameroon believe Biya has no plans to step aside. Encouraged by loyalists who are calling for an eighth term, Biya's grip on power shows no signs of loosening, despite increasing calls—especially from the country’s youth—for generational change.


Autocracy Through Institutional Control

Biya assumed power in 1982, and is now serving his seventh term. Human rights organizations accuse him of tightening his authoritarian control since a contentious election in 2018, using arrests and imprisonment to silence dissenting voices. His ruling party—the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (RDPC)—is said to maintain a stranglehold over all major state institutions, including the judiciary and the election commission. Critics argue this centralized control has enabled a string of “fraudulent elections.”

Even within his own party, dissent is surfacing. Some members question the lack of internal democracy—pointing out that no presidential primaries have been held since 2011. One such critic, Léon Thèler Onana, a party councilor in Montélé (north of the capital Yaoundé), has filed a legal complaint challenging the legitimacy of the party’s leadership structures.


A Young Nation, an Aging Leader

Cameroon is a country of 30 million people, with nearly 60% of the population under the age of 25. Most of these young Cameroonians have never known another national leader. Many are now voicing their desire for change.

“This would be one term too many,” said 35-year-old banking advisor Ange Ngandjou. “President Biya gave what he could. Now it’s time for our generation—skilled and capable—to help build the nation.”

Ibrahim Baba, a 29-year-old motorcycle repairman in the capital region, shared a similar view: “Another term for Biya? I don’t think so.” Celestine Mbida, a 24-year-old law student voting for the first time, was more reserved, but noted: “These elections mean a lot. The country’s future is what’s really at stake.”


A Campaign of Appearances and Allegiances

In response, Biya’s supporters have tried to showcase the president’s popularity among young people. A recent rally in Maroua, a northern stronghold of the ruling party, was titled: “100,000 Youth United Behind Paul Biya in 2025.” The region, however, suffers from the highest poverty levels in the country, with 69% living below the poverty line, according to the national statistics bureau.

The rally’s organizers claimed it was meant to consolidate support and secure a “resounding victory” in the upcoming vote. “He deserves our support,” said Mohamadou Atikou Kalda, a regional youth platform coordinator. “Biya has stood behind several projects that developed the North. Continuing on this path is essential.”

But skepticism abounds. Videos circulating on social media accused organizers of staging the event, alleging children were brought in to create the illusion of strong youth support. “It’s all a farce,” one young man claimed in a viral clip.


No Successor in Sight—and the Danger That Brings

Political analyst Aristide Mono warned that regardless of who wins the presidency, expectations will be sky-high: “Whether young or old, male or female, the concerns remain the same—security in the Far North, the Anglophone separatist crisis, high unemployment, inflation, tribal tensions.” He stressed that Cameroon needs a clear succession plan to avoid chaos:

“One day, Biya will no longer be in power. If we don’t prepare for that, the risk of conflict and civil war becomes very real.”

This uncertainty is beginning to take a toll on Cameroon’s international standing. In a November report, Fitch Ratings affirmed the country’s “B negative” credit rating and explicitly listed Biya’s potential reelection as a political risk factor, citing “the lack of a succession plan and growing internal division as key threats to a stable transition of power.”


The Opposition: Unified for the First Time?

Biya’s main challenger is 71-year-old Maurice Kamto, leader of the opposition Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC). Though not a young candidate himself, Kamto has placed youth empowerment at the center of his platform.

“If our country wants to survive and grow stronger in the future, the youth must be ready,” Kamto declared. In 2018, he finished second in the presidential election—though many questioned the credibility of the vote count.

According to the African Center for Strategic Studies, the upcoming election could be a turning point. For the first time, Cameroon’s notoriously fragmented opposition—comprising more than 30 parties—is coalescing around a single candidate: Kamto. His campaign focuses on expanding access to healthcare and education and reducing widespread inequality.

“A unified opposition is crucial in Cameroon’s single-round election system, which overwhelmingly favors the incumbent,” the Center noted.


A Generation Waiting to Inherit Its Future

Youth unemployment in Cameroon stands at approximately 74%, and for many young citizens, the 2025 election represents a final opportunity to steer their country toward a new path.

For now, the world watches as an aging president, still clinging to power, confronts a restless and youthful nation eager for change. Whether Cameroon can manage a peaceful transition—or spiral into crisis—may depend on whether Paul Biya finally yields the reins, or once again rewrites history by refusing to let go.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
Russian Shadow Payments via Cryptocurrency Reach $9 Billion
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Macron and Merz: Europe must arm itself in an unstable world
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Airlines Evaluate Flight Cancellations Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
×