Cameroon's president seeks eighth time period to increase 43-year rule

[ad_1] Paul Njie, Basillioh Rukanga & Natasha Booty BBC Information

Reporting fromYaoundé, Nairobi & London <img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/7858/live/0aa8d1a0-6088-11f0-83e5-c99758354894.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/7858/live/0aa8d1a0-6088-11f0-83e5-c99758354894.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/7858/live/0aa8d1a0-6088-11f0-83e5-c99758354894.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/7858/live/0aa8d1a0-6088-11f0-83e5-c99758354894.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/7858/live/0aa8d1a0-6088-11f0-83e5-c99758354894.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/7858/live/0aa8d1a0-6088-11f0-83e5-c99758354894.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/7858/live/0aa8d1a0-6088-11f0-83e5-c99758354894.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/7858/live/0aa8d1a0-6088-11f0-83e5-c99758354894.jpg.webp" loading="eager" alt="AFP via Getty Images Paul Biya in black suit and white shirt" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> AFP through Getty Pictures President Paul Biya, pictured right here in 2022, first got here to energy in 1982

The world's oldest head of state, Cameroon's President Paul Biya, 92, has stated he'll run as soon as extra for re-election in October aiming to increase his 43 years in energy.

"Relaxation assured that my dedication to serve you matches the urgency of the challenges we face," he stated in a publish on X.

He added that his resolution to go for an eighth time period got here after "quite a few and insistent" calls by individuals from all areas in Cameroon and the diaspora.

Biya's administration has confronted criticism over corruption, embezzlement, dangerous governance and failure to deal with safety challenges. There have additionally been issues about his well being and skill to control.

His absence from the general public for greater than six weeks final 12 months led to hypothesis about his well-being and unfounded rumours that he had died.

His candidacy was anticipated however not formally confirmed till Sunday's social media publish.

Biya has by no means misplaced an election since taking energy in 1982 and if he wins one other seven-year time period he might be president till he's practically 100.

There have been rising calls from inside and out of doors Cameroon for him to step apart and provides means for recent management within the central African nation.

His candidacy follows a latest political divorce from key allies from the northern areas, who had been essential in serving to safe votes in earlier elections from that a part of the nation.

Two of those males - outstanding minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary and former Prime Minister Bello Bouba Maigari - lately stop the ruling coalition and individually introduced plans to run within the election.

Final month, Tchiroma stated the Biya administration he belonged to had "damaged" public belief and he was switching to a rival occasion.

A number of opposition figures, together with 2018 runner-up Maurice Kamto, in addition to Joshua Osih, Akere Muna, and Cabral Libii, have additionally introduced their candidacies.

Nevertheless, members of the governing Cameroon Individuals's Democratic Motion and different supporters have since final 12 months publicly referred to as for Biya to hunt one other time period. He was already the de-facto candidate because the occasion chief.

Biya abolished time period limits in 2008, enabling him to hunt the presidency indefinitely.

He gained the 2018 elections with greater than 71% of the vote though opposition teams stated there have been widespread irregularities.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/4af5/live/8f0fb770-60be-11f0-80fb-b5965c5fb784.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/4af5/live/8f0fb770-60be-11f0-80fb-b5965c5fb784.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/4af5/live/8f0fb770-60be-11f0-80fb-b5965c5fb784.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/4af5/live/8f0fb770-60be-11f0-80fb-b5965c5fb784.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/4af5/live/8f0fb770-60be-11f0-80fb-b5965c5fb784.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/4af5/live/8f0fb770-60be-11f0-80fb-b5965c5fb784.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/4af5/live/8f0fb770-60be-11f0-80fb-b5965c5fb784.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/4af5/live/8f0fb770-60be-11f0-80fb-b5965c5fb784.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Michel Mvondo / BBC A close-up shot of Camille Esselem. He is wearing a purple shirt and has a clean-shaven head" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Michel Mvondo / BBC Camille Esselem thinks the time has come for Cameroon's 92-year-old president to relaxation

Reacting to Biya's newest bid for the presidency, many individuals on the streets of the capital Yaoundé informed the BBC they didn't really feel secure commenting brazenly on politics for worry of reprisals. Others withheld their names, ages or occupations out of warning.

"By no means within the political historical past of countries have I seen or heard {that a} man of that age, is declaring his candidacy in a presidential election," stated one member of the general public, who spoke on situation of anonymity.

"I actually thought he would go and relaxation, and hand over to a brand new technology," one other native resident, Camille Esselem, stated of Biya in shock on the information.

Nevertheless, some individuals welcomed one other seven years below the veteran chief.

"The president nonetheless has a lot to supply the Cameroonian individuals," stated public sector employee Ngono Marius, including, "if he's a candidate it means he is succesful to guide".

Sylvia Tipa, a guide within the metropolis, informed the BBC that though she believes in change and the democratic precept of "relaying" energy to the following comer, perhaps "there's no-one higher than [Biya]".

"To date he has performed loads for the nation - we see his position performed in battle administration and lots of different elements," she added, questioning if maybe his lengthy keep in energy was God's doing.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/995d/live/a6042e70-60be-11f0-80fb-b5965c5fb784.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/995d/live/a6042e70-60be-11f0-80fb-b5965c5fb784.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/995d/live/a6042e70-60be-11f0-80fb-b5965c5fb784.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/995d/live/a6042e70-60be-11f0-80fb-b5965c5fb784.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/995d/live/a6042e70-60be-11f0-80fb-b5965c5fb784.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/995d/live/a6042e70-60be-11f0-80fb-b5965c5fb784.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/995d/live/a6042e70-60be-11f0-80fb-b5965c5fb784.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/995d/live/a6042e70-60be-11f0-80fb-b5965c5fb784.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Michel Mvondo / BBC Sylvia Tipa wearing a cream top and long braids" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Michel Mvondo / BBC Sylvia Tipa believes in change however feels Biya should be the most suitable choice

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