Cameroon’s President Paul Biya turns 92 amid uncertainty over 2025 re-election bid

Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, the oldest head of state in the world, is set to turn 92-years-old Today after spending over four decades in power and remains tight-lipped on whether he will seek another term in office during the Central African nations elections that are set for this year.

Rene Emmanuel Sadi, Cameroon’s government spokesperson and Communications Minister, last month said Biya “will make known whether or not he is a candidate in this election at the appropriate time.”

The soon-to-be 92-year-old leader has refrained from picking a successor, and the subject of who would replace him remains taboo.

Late last year, Biya disappeared from the public view for several weeks, sparking concerns and rumors on whether he was alive. In reaction, Cameroonian authorities released a statement stating that the president was in Switzerland and later banned local media from discussing the state of his health.

Biya returned to Cameroon on October 21, 2024. Since then, his public appearances have been limited, with a few official photos at the presidential palace, a regional summit in Yaoundé and a handful of speeches that were broadcast on national television.

Delivering his end-of-year address, Biya said “my determination to serve you [Cameroonians] remains intact and is strengthened on a daily basis, given the scale of the challenges we face.”

Last month, traditional leaders expressed their “total and unwavering” support for Biya.

VOA Africa