YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon – Polls opened across Cameroon on Sunday for a landmark Cameroon Election 2025 that could extend President Paul Biya’s 43-year rule and make him one of the longest-serving leaders in the world. The 92-year-old president, Africa’s oldest serving head of state, is widely expected to secure another seven-year term despite mounting calls for change.
Biya Faces 11 Challengers in Cameroon Presidential Election
More than eight million Cameroonians are eligible to vote in the one-round election, which will decide the future of the Central African nation of 30 million people. Biya faces 11 opponents, including former employment minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary, 79, who has gained surprising popularity, particularly among young voters.
Bakary, once a close ally of Biya, resigned from the government in June after two decades by the president’s side. His campaign, marked by the slogan “Tchiroma the Saviour,” has drawn thousands to rallies across the country, contrasting sharply with Biya’s low-key appearances.
Political scientist Stephane Akoa told AFP, “We shouldn’t be naive. We know full well the ruling system has ample means at its disposal to get results in its favour.” Still, Akoa said the campaign had been “much livelier” than in previous years, suggesting the election could deliver “surprises.”
Youth Vote Pushes for Change in Cameroon 2025 Election
Nearly half of Cameroon’s population is under 20, and many are frustrated by high unemployment, poor infrastructure, and rising living costs. According to the World Bank, about 40 percent of Cameroonians live below the poverty line, while urban unemployment stands at 35 percent.
“Young people hunger for change,” Akoa noted, though he added they were not yet ready for mass protests like in Tunisia or Madagascar. Many, however, are determined to vote, viewing it as their best hope for a better future.
In Maroua, the strategic Far North region with 1.2 million registered voters, Biya held his only major rally of the campaign, drawing a modest crowd. In contrast, Bakary’s rally in the same city attracted thousands, signaling a shift in public mood in what was once a Biya stronghold.
Biya’s Long Rule and Divided Opposition
Biya, who first came to power in 1982, has won every election over the last two decades with more than 70 percent of the vote. Analysts say his long tenure has been sustained by a divided opposition and a powerful state apparatus.
Francois Conradie, a political economist at Oxford Economics, told Reuters, “A divided opposition and the backing of a formidable electoral machine will, we predict, give the 92-year-old his eighth term.”
He added, “Biya has remained in power for nearly 43 years by deftly dividing his adversaries. Even if he’s less aware of the country’s realities, the system he built continues to ‘divide to rule.’”
Cameroon’s Challenges: Conflict, Economy, and Hope
The 2025 Cameroon election comes amid a long-running conflict in English-speaking regions, where separatist violence has plagued communities since 2016. Turnout in these areas was low in the last election and could remain so this year.
Despite boasting Central Africa’s most diversified economy and abundant natural resources, Cameroon struggles with rising poverty, a cost-of-living crisis, and youth unemployment. Many citizens complain about the lack of clean water, healthcare, and quality education.
Hassane Djbril, a driver in Yaoundé, told Reuters, “We want change because the current government is dictatorial. There are no jobs.” Another voter, Herves Mitterand from Douala, said, “Things have only gotten worse. We want to see real change, not just promises.”
Observers and Final Results Timeline
The government has accredited 55,000 observers, including representatives from the African Union, to monitor the vote. The Constitutional Council has until October 26 to release the official results.
Meanwhile, several online platforms plan to compile results independently, drawing criticism from authorities who accuse them of trying to manipulate public opinion.
Conclusion: Cameroon Awaits the Verdict
As Cameroon’s 2025 presidential election unfolds, voters are torn between continuity and change. While Paul Biya’s grip on power remains strong, a rising wave of youthful discontent could signal the beginning of a political shift. Whether the 92-year-old leader secures his eighth term or faces an electoral upset, this election marks a defining moment for Cameroon’s democratic future.
