In a significant move ahead of Cameroon’s October 12, 2025, presidential election, 92-year-old President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest head of state, held his first campaign rally on Tuesday in the country’s volatile Far North region. Addressing a crowd of supporters at a stadium in the town of Maroua, Biya made a series of promises aimed at addressing the region’s pressing challenges, including insecurity, youth unemployment, and inadequate infrastructure. As he campaigns for an unprecedented eighth term, Biya seeks to extend a presidency that has already spanned 43 years, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.
The Far North region, where Biya chose to kick off his campaign, is a critical area in Cameroon’s political and social landscape. Home to nearly 20% of the country’s 8.2 million eligible voters, the region is a stronghold for both Biya and some of his key rivals. However, it is also one of Cameroon’s poorest areas and has been plagued by persistent attacks and kidnappings for ransom by the extremist group Boko Haram. The region’s majority Muslim population faces significant challenges, including limited access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. Biya’s decision to launch his campaign in Maroua underscores the region’s strategic importance in the upcoming election, as well as the need to address its unique security and developmental challenges.
Speaking to the enthusiastic crowd, Biya acknowledged the difficulties faced by residents of the Far North. “I am well aware of the problems that concern you, I know the unfulfilled expectations that make you doubt the future,” he said in his address. Drawing on his decades of experience in office, he sought to reassure voters, stating, “Based on my own experience, I can assure you that these problems are not insurmountable.” Biya outlined a vision for his potential next term, pledging to bolster security measures to combat extremist violence, create job opportunities for the region’s youth, and improve critical infrastructure such as roads and social amenities. These promises resonate deeply in a region where poverty and insecurity have long hindered progress.
The Far North is not only a hotspot for extremist activity but also a politically competitive region. Two of the nine opposition candidates in the election, Bello Bouba Maigari and Issa Tchiroma Bakary, are former allies of Biya and command significant followings in this part of the country. Their influence, combined with the region’s large voter base, makes it a crucial battleground in the presidential race. Biya’s appearance in Maroua signals his intent to solidify support in an area where his Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) party has historically performed well, despite growing discontent over economic stagnation and governance issues.
Biya’s campaign rally in Maroua marked his first public appearance in the election campaign, a notable event given his limited visibility in recent months. The president had only recently returned from a weeklong trip to Switzerland, a destination he frequently visits for private stays and medical treatment. No official explanation for his latest trip abroad was provided, fueling speculation about his health and capacity to govern at the age of 92. Critics have long pointed to Biya’s advanced age and infrequent public appearances as evidence of his diminished ability to lead effectively. In recent years, he has rarely been seen in public, often delegating responsibilities to aides and government officials.
Cameroon, a Central African nation of nearly 30 million people, faces a multitude of challenges that have persisted throughout Biya’s long tenure. In the western regions of the country, a deadly secessionist movement has claimed thousands of lives and displaced hundreds of thousands since 2017, as Anglophone separatists demand independence from the predominantly Francophone government. In the Far North, Boko Haram’s insurgency continues to destabilize communities, exacerbating poverty and insecurity. Meanwhile, chronic corruption has stifled Cameroon’s development, despite the country’s wealth of natural resources, including oil, gas, and minerals. According to United Nations estimates, at least 43% of Cameroonians live below the poverty line, struggling to access basic necessities such as food, clean water, education, and healthcare.
Despite these challenges, Biya remains a formidable contender in the October 12 election, largely due to the fragmented nature of the opposition and his control over state institutions. His most significant rival, Maurice Kamto, leader of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM), was controversially barred from running in August 2025, a move that critics argue was designed to clear the path for Biya’s re-election. Kamto, who came second in the 2018 presidential election and claimed victory amid allegations of electoral fraud, has been a vocal critic of Biya’s government. His exclusion has further weakened the opposition, which remains deeply divided and unable to present a unified front against the incumbent.
Cameroon’s electoral process has long been a subject of controversy, with past elections frequently criticized for lacking transparency and fairness. Election authorities, some of whom previously held positions in Biya’s government, have been accused of bias in favor of the ruling CPDM party. The removal of a two-term presidential limit through a parliamentary vote in 2008 further entrenched Biya’s grip on power, allowing him to run for office indefinitely. These factors, combined with Biya’s extensive political machinery and control over state resources, make him the likely winner of the upcoming election, despite growing public frustration with his leadership.
Biya’s long rule has been marked by both achievements and criticisms. Supporters credit him with maintaining relative stability in a region prone to conflict, pointing to his efforts to navigate Cameroon through economic challenges and external threats. However, detractors argue that his administration has failed to address systemic issues such as corruption, inequality, and underdevelopment. The Far North, in particular, has seen limited progress despite its strategic importance, with many residents expressing frustration over the lack of tangible improvements in their daily lives.
As the election approaches, Biya’s campaign is expected to focus heavily on promises of development and security, particularly in regions like the Far North, where voters are eager for change. His pledges to improve infrastructure and create jobs aim to address the region’s high youth unemployment rate, which has fueled discontent and made young people vulnerable to recruitment by extremist groups. However, skepticism remains about whether these promises will translate into meaningful action, given the government’s track record of slow progress in addressing longstanding issues.
The rally in Maroua also served as a reminder of Biya’s ability to mobilize support, even in the face of criticism. The CPDM’s well-organized campaign machinery, coupled with Biya’s long-standing political alliances, gives him a significant advantage over his opponents. Yet, the challenges facing Cameroon—poverty, insecurity, and political division—continue to loom large, raising questions about the country’s future under a leader who has been in power for over four decades.
As Cameroonians prepare to head to the polls, the election will be closely watched both domestically and internationally. For many, it represents a critical juncture in the country’s history, with the potential to either entrench the status quo or pave the way for change. While Biya’s victory seems almost assured, the underlying tensions in Cameroon’s political and social fabric suggest that the road ahead will be far from smooth. The Far North, with its complex mix of security threats and economic hardship, will remain a key focus for whoever emerges as Cameroon’s next leader.
In conclusion, Paul Biya’s campaign launch in Maroua marks a pivotal moment in Cameroon’s 2025 presidential election. At 92, the veteran leader is banking on his experience and promises of development to secure another term in office. However, the challenges facing Cameroon, from insurgency to poverty, underscore the need for transformative leadership. Whether Biya can deliver on his pledges and address the aspirations of Cameroon’s 30 million people remains to be seen, but for now, his grip on power appears as firm as ever.
