Cameroon held a pivotal election on October 22, 2023, that could allow Paul Biya, the world’s oldest president at 92, to extend his rule for another seven years. Biya, who first took office in 1982 after the resignation of Cameroon’s inaugural president, Ahmadou Ahidjo, has dominated the political landscape for over four decades. If successful, he would be 99 years old when his new term concludes.
Despite predictions of a Biya victory, cracks are beginning to show in his long-held grip on power. Speculation about his health remains prevalent, as he often spends significant time in Europe, delegating day-to-day governance to party officials and family. Dr. Benjamin Akih, an activist and professor at Syracuse University, noted the possibility of a shift in power. He suggested that the opposition candidate, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, could capitalize on Biya’s age and the state of the country. “I think this election is different. Mr. Biya was the weakest candidate the CPDM could put forward on account of his age and the poor state of the country after his 43 years in power,” he stated.
Biya announced his candidacy amidst a backdrop of increasing international challenges. “In such a situation, I cannot shirk my mission,” he remarked during his campaign. The president faces a diverse field of nine opposition candidates, including former allies like Bello Bouba Maigari, the former minister for tourism, and Bakary, who was recently the minister of employment.
At a polling station in the capital city, Yaounde, Biya cast his vote but refrained from discussing his plans until the results are announced. The electoral outcome is expected by October 26, 2023. Opposition candidate Joshua Osih, from the Social Democratic Front, expressed concerns about potential voter fraud, emphasizing the complications of the voting process. He stated, “There is still a lot of room for progress to make things smoother… the system makes it such that the elections cannot be free and fair.”
Cameroon’s electoral system operates on a single round of voting, where the candidate with the most votes wins. The nation has over 8 million eligible voters, including more than 34,000 living abroad, who will cast their ballots at over 31,000 polling stations.
The socioeconomic landscape in Cameroon remains challenging. A significant portion of the population lives in poverty, with UN estimates indicating that around 43% of people struggle with basic living standards such as income, education, and health. Issues such as high living costs and inadequate healthcare are pressing concerns for many voters.
First-time voter Cheukam Ginette, a 34-year-old environmentalist, expressed her dissatisfaction with the current state of the country. “Things have to change. First of all, life is expensive, getting medical care is not easy,” she stated outside a polling station. Ginette voiced her lack of confidence in the electoral process but maintained hope for change.
Biya’s campaign included promises of improvement for the impoverished northern regions, which account for nearly 20% of eligible voters. The northern area has been significantly affected by the spillover of violence from the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria, alongside a separatist conflict in the western region.
As Cameroon navigates its complex political landscape, the results of this election could reshape the future of governance in a country that has seen only two leaders since its independence in 1960.
