Overview

• He officially declared his candidacy for the October 12 election in a July 13 post on his verified X account, pledging to address Cameroon’s pressing challenges.
• Senior members of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, including former allies Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari, announced their own presidential bids after breaking with Biya.
• Opposition leaders Maurice Kamto, Joshua Osih, Akere Muna and Cabral Libii have confirmed their campaigns and are demanding reforms to safeguard electoral integrity.
• Biya’s capacity to govern remains under scrutiny following a 42-day disappearance last year that fueled health speculation and triggered media restrictions.
• Ongoing conflict in the Anglophone provinces and Boko Haram attacks underscore the security and stability challenges ahead of the vote.