Yaounde: Cameroon went to the polls on Sunday in a decisive presidential election that could extend President Paul Biya’s 43-year rule, one of the longest in the world. The 92-year-old leader, in power since 1982, is seeking yet another term despite growing domestic discontent and mounting international concern over the state of democracy in the Central African nation.
The presidential election has drawn global attention as Cameroonians cast their votes under tight security and heightened tension. With over 8 million registered voters, the election represents both a test of endurance for Biya’s aging leadership and a reflection of the nation’s struggle for democratic renewal.
Biya’s continued grip on power has defined Cameroon’s modern history. Under his leadership, the country has witnessed both stability and stagnation boasting relative peace in a volatile region but enduring chronic unemployment, widespread corruption, and growing inequality.
The government has deployed thousands of police and military personnel across major cities and conflict-affected regions to ensure calm during voting. Still, concerns remain about transparency and fairness, especially given past accusations of electoral fraud and manipulation.
Biya faces several challengers, the most prominent being Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a veteran politician and former minister who has emerged as a key voice of dissent. However, opposition leaders have struggled to unite behind a single candidate, weakening their chances of unseating the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM).
The opposition’s campaign has centered on ending decades of one-party dominance, promising youth empowerment, and tackling corruption. Yet, analysts say that Biya’s control over the state apparatus including the judiciary, electoral commission, and security forces makes it nearly impossible for any rival to mount a serious challenge.
Despite his advanced age and limited public appearances, President Biya has projected himself as the guardian of national unity and continuity. His campaign slogan, “Greatness and Hope,” emphasizes his role in maintaining stability amid crises such as the Boko Haram insurgency in the north and the Anglophone separatist conflict in the west.
Supporters describe Biya as a steady hand in turbulent times, crediting him with preserving peace and navigating Cameroon through regional unrest. Critics, however, accuse him of clinging to power while allowing corruption and repression to cripple national development.
“Cameroon has been standing still for decades,” said political analyst Michel Ngang. “The leadership’s obsession with control has come at the cost of innovation and opportunity for its younger generations.”
In Yaoundé and Douala, voter turnout appeared moderate, with long lines forming at some polling stations. Many young voters expressed skepticism that their ballots would bring meaningful change.
“For years, we’ve been told to believe in democracy, but the same man always wins,” said Clarisse Mbeng, a 26-year-old student. “We want jobs, education, and a future not just promises.”
Others defended Biya’s leadership, citing the relative calm Cameroon enjoys compared to its neighbors. “At least we have peace,” said trader Alphonse Ngu, 52. “We may not have everything, but chaos is worse.”
Since abolishing term limits in 2008, Biya has effectively consolidated lifetime rule. His governance style marked by long absences abroad, minimal media engagement, and strict control over political institutions has earned him both loyalty and resentment.
Observers say that Biya’s government has relied on patronage networks to maintain its power, ensuring elite loyalty while suppressing dissent through legal and security means. Several journalists, activists, and opposition figures have faced harassment, detention, or exile in recent years.
The international community is watching closely, with the African Union, European Union, and United Nations deploying limited observer missions. Western governments have urged transparency, but many remain cautious in directly challenging Biya, citing Cameroon’s strategic role in regional counterterrorism efforts.
Results are expected within two weeks, but opposition leaders have already voiced concerns over potential tampering during vote counting. Should Biya win again, Cameroon will enter a new phase of uncertainty facing the dual challenge of an aging leadership and a restless, youthful population.
As ballots are tallied, Cameroonians are left contemplating the weight of four decades under a single ruler. Whether the election brings continuity or sparks change, the nation’s future hinges on how its leaders and citizens navigate the delicate balance between stability and democracy.
For now, the world watches as Cameroon stands at a defining crossroads between the familiar past and an uncertain, but long-awaited, future.