Paul Biya has extended his 43-year rule over Cameroon after securing another term in office, cementing his place in history as the world’s oldest head of state at 92.
According to official results, Biya won 53.7 percent of the vote, defeating opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who garnered 35.2 percent. The outcome, however, has been met with strong criticism and allegations of electoral fraud, with opposition parties rejecting the results and calling for an independent review.
The vote was also marred by sporadic violence, particularly in the country’s restive Anglophone regions, where separatist tensions remain high. Despite growing calls for political transition, Biya’s victory underscores his enduring grip on power — one that has outlasted multiple global eras and political generations.
Biya first assumed the presidency in 1982, following the resignation of Ahmadou Ahidjo, and has since ruled Cameroon through a blend of constitutional reforms, party dominance, and tight control of state institutions. His administration, often accused of suppressing dissent, maintains that the president continues to enjoy strong support for his leadership and experience.
Born in 1933, Biya’s lifetime has spanned some of the most defining events in modern history — from the Second World War to the digital revolution. Over nine decades, he has witnessed the rise and fall of empires, technological revolutions, and the reshaping of Africa’s political landscape.
Among the major world events during his lifetime are:
* World War II (1939–1945)
* Cameroon’s independence from France (1960)
* The Moon landing (1969)
* The fall of the Berlin Wall (1989)
* The end of apartheid and Nelson Mandela’s election (1994)
* The 9/11 attacks (2001)
* The global financial crisis (2008)
* The COVID-19 pandemic (2020)
* Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (2022)
At 92, Biya’s longevity in both life and politics has made him a symbol of continuity for some and of stagnation for others. Whether admired or criticized, his name remains synonymous with Cameroon’s modern political story — one that shows no sign of ending soon.
