World's oldest leader, 92, expected to extend 43-year long rule over Cameroon with 8th term

The world's oldest leader, 92-year-old Paul Biya of Cameroon, looks set to continue his 43-year-long hold on power, with an eighth term.

Has been ruling Cameroon since 1982

According to The Guardian, Cameroonians have been scheduled to vote in the country's presidential elections on Oct. 12, 2025, with the outcome likely to extend Biya's rule by another seven years.

Biya has been Cameroon's President since 1982 and has won every election in the past 20 years with more than 70 per cent of the vote, Aljazeera reported.

For this round of elections, he faces 11 candidates, and has dismissed calls to retire.

The secretary-general of his party asserted in September 2025 that Biya is "in great shape".

However, he has rarely been seen in public, with a rally speech on Oct. 7 being the first time he has done so since May 2025.

Legacy of stagnation, corruption, poverty and security threats

For many Cameroonians, Biya's reign has left them disillusioned as the country faces major socioeconomic challenges, despite being a major producer of cocoa and oil.

A third of the population lives on less than US$2 (S$2.60) a day, suffers from chronic corruption, and faces separatist issues in the west of the country, and conflicts with jihadists in the north.

Many of the country's youth have also voiced dillusionment with the country's electoral process due to the lack of political representation and economic opportunities.

About 60 per cent of the country's 30 million population is under the age of 25.

More than half of the country has also never known a president apart from Biya.

About 7.8 million Cameroonians are eligible to vote.

During his rally speech on Oct. 7, Biya promised to improve security, road infrastructure and social amenities and reduce youth unemployment.

He was quoted as saiyng:

"I am well aware of the problems that concern you, I know the unfulfilled expectations that make you doubt the future.

Based on my own experience, I can assure you that these problems are not insurmountable."

His 27-year-old daughter urged the people not to vote for his father, however.

"Do not vote for Paul Biya, not because of me, but because he has made too many people suffer," she said.

Her defiant message came as a surprise and she was previously known to flaunt her wealth such as posing on top of a Rolls-Royce, Reuters said.

Top photo via Paul Biya Facebook