Cameroon Votes as World’s Oldest President Seeks to Extend 42-Year Rule

Cameroonians went to the polls on Sunday in an election that could see President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest sitting leader at 92, extend his decades-long rule by another seven years.

Biya, who first took power in 1982, has won seven consecutive elections and is widely expected by analysts to secure another term. If re-elected, he would remain in office until age 99, continuing his reign over a nation that has had only two presidents since independence in 1960.

Despite persistent concerns about his health, he spends much of his time abroad. Biya has framed his bid as a duty to lead Cameroon through what he called “an increasingly difficult international environment.”

He faces nine opposition candidates, including former ministers Bello Bouba Maigari and Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who enjoy strong support in the predominantly Muslim north. The election features a single-round voting system, meaning the candidate with the most votes wins outright.

Voter frustration remains high amid widespread poverty and insecurity. Nearly 43% of Cameroonians live below the poverty line, and the country continues to battle a secessionist conflict in its English-speaking regions and Boko Haram insurgent attacks in the north.

At a polling station in Yaoundé, first-time voter Cheukam Ginette, 34, said she voted for the opposition, citing poor infrastructure, high costs of living, and lack of medical access. “Everything is ruined,” she said. “I don’t trust the system, but I’m hopeful.”

Roughly 8 million registered voters, including more than 34,000 overseas, cast ballots across 31,000 polling stations nationwide. Polls closed at 6 p.m., with official results expected by October 26.