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.
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.
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.
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.
Source:BBC News Africa