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| Paul Biya: Cameroon's president seeks eighth term to extend 43-year rule | |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| President Paul Biya, pictured here in 2022, first came to power in 1982 | President Paul Biya, pictured here in 2022, first came to power in 1982 |
| The world's oldest head of state, Cameroon's President Paul Biya, 92, has said he will run once more for re-election in October aiming to extend his 43 years in power. | The world's oldest head of state, Cameroon's President Paul Biya, 92, has said he will run once more for re-election in October aiming to extend his 43 years in power. |
| "Rest assured that my determination to serve you matches the urgency of the challenges we face," he said in a post on X. | "Rest assured that my determination to serve you matches the urgency of the challenges we face," he said in a post on X. |
| He added that his decision to go for an eighth term came after "numerous and insistent" calls by people from all regions in Cameroon and the diaspora. | He added that his decision to go for an eighth term came after "numerous and insistent" calls by people from all regions in Cameroon and the diaspora. |
| Biya's administration has faced criticism over corruption, embezzlement, bad governance and failure to tackle security challenges. There have also been concerns about his health and ability to govern. | Biya's administration has faced criticism over corruption, embezzlement, bad governance and failure to tackle security challenges. There have also been concerns about his health and ability to govern. |
| His absence from the public for more than six weeks last year led to speculation about his well-being and unfounded rumours that he had died. | His absence from the public for more than six weeks last year led to speculation about his well-being and unfounded rumours that he had died. |
| His candidacy was expected but not formally confirmed until Sunday's social media post. | His candidacy was expected but not formally confirmed until Sunday's social media post. |
| Biya has never lost an election since taking power in 1982 and if he wins another seven-year term he could be president until he is nearly 100. | Biya has never lost an election since taking power in 1982 and if he wins another seven-year term he could be president until he is nearly 100. |
| There have been growing calls from inside and outside Cameroon for him to step aside and give way for fresh leadership in the central African nation. | There have been growing calls from inside and outside Cameroon for him to step aside and give way for fresh leadership in the central African nation. |
| His candidacy follows a recent political divorce from key allies from the northern regions, who had been crucial in helping secure votes in previous elections from that part of the country. | His candidacy follows a recent political divorce from key allies from the northern regions, who had been crucial in helping secure votes in previous elections from that part of the country. |
| Two of these men - prominent minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary and former Prime Minister Bello Bouba Maigari - recently quit the ruling coalition and separately announced plans to run in the election. | Two of these men - prominent minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary and former Prime Minister Bello Bouba Maigari - recently quit the ruling coalition and separately announced plans to run in the election. |
| Last month, Tchiroma said the Biya administration he belonged to had "broken" public trust and he was switching to a rival party. | Last month, Tchiroma said the Biya administration he belonged to had "broken" public trust and he was switching to a rival party. |
| Multiple opposition figures, including 2018 runner-up Maurice Kamto, as well as Joshua Osih, Akere Muna, and Cabral Libii, have also announced their candidacies. | Multiple opposition figures, including 2018 runner-up Maurice Kamto, as well as Joshua Osih, Akere Muna, and Cabral Libii, have also announced their candidacies. |
| However, members of the governing Cameroon People's Democratic Movement and other supporters have since last year publicly called for Biya to seek another term. He was already the de-facto candidate as the party leader. | However, members of the governing Cameroon People's Democratic Movement and other supporters have since last year publicly called for Biya to seek another term. He was already the de-facto candidate as the party leader. |
| Biya abolished term limits in 2008, enabling him to seek the presidency indefinitely. | Biya abolished term limits in 2008, enabling him to seek the presidency indefinitely. |
| He won the 2018 elections with more than 71% of the vote although opposition groups accused the process of widespread irregularities. | He won the 2018 elections with more than 71% of the vote although opposition groups accused the process of widespread irregularities. |
| You may also be interested in: | You may also be interested in: |
| The African president who keeps defying death rumours | The African president who keeps defying death rumours |
| Why African leaders maintain secrecy around their health | Why African leaders maintain secrecy around their health |
| Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. | Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. |
| Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica | Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica |