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2mo ago

Biya, 92, Seeks Eighth Term After Rare Rally in Cameroon’s Far North

Maurice Kamto’s exclusion leaves a fragmented opposition, boosting the incumbent’s odds.

FILE - Cameroon's incumbent President Paul Biya, of the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement party, casts his vote during the presidential elections in Yaounde, Cameroon, Sunday Oct. 7, 2018. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba, File)
Cameroon's President Paul Biya, of the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement party, wait to casts his vote during the Presidential elections, October 7, 2018, in Yaounde, Cameroon.
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Supporters of Cameroon's 92-year-old President Paul Biya, who is seeking an eighth term, hold a sign during the launch of his electoral campaign, in Maroua, Cameroon, October 7, 2025. The sign reads "The Toupouri people united behind Biya". REUTERS/Desire Danga Essigue

Overview

  • At his first campaign event in Maroua, President Paul Biya pledged tougher security, more jobs for youth, and a nationwide push to repair and build roads.
  • The Far North, a region repeatedly hit by Boko Haram attacks, holds a large share of the electorate and was chosen to showcase security and development promises.
  • Analysts and recent reporting describe Biya as the strong favorite given the ruling party’s machinery and the disqualification of his most prominent rival, Maurice Kamto.
  • The president’s brief return to the trail followed a private trip to Switzerland, renewing scrutiny of his health as he made a rare public appearance alongside his wife, Chantal Biya.
  • Human rights groups and citizen networks highlight long‑running concerns about electoral credibility, while many young Cameroonians voice frustration over limited opportunities and persistent poverty.