Cameroon's Longest-Serving President Defies Health Rumors with Bid for 8th Term
Cameroon's 92-year-old president has announced his intention to seek re-election for an eighth term in the upcoming October elections, sparking renewed concerns over his health and setting the stage for a challenging electoral battle.
President Paul Biya, who has been at the helm of the country since 1982, made the announcement on Sunday, putting an end to months of speculation about his political future. Despite his advanced age and persistent rumors about his well-being, Biya appears determined to hold on to power in the face of mounting opposition.
The incumbent leader's decision to run for another term comes amid a backdrop of growing discontent and political unrest in the Central African nation. Critics of Biya argue that his prolonged rule has stifled democratic progress and failed to address pressing issues such as corruption, economic inequality, and human rights abuses.
In recent years, Cameroon has faced numerous challenges, including a separatist conflict in the Anglophone regions and ongoing jihadist violence in the Far North. Biya's candidacy is likely to further polarize an already divided society and raise questions about the country's political future.