In the sweltering heat of Maroua, a city perched on the edge of Nigeria and Chad, Cameroon's President Paul Biya stepped onto the stadium stage this week, launching his bid for an unprecedented eighth term in office. At 92, Biya is not only Africa’s oldest sitting head of state but also the world’s longest-serving leader, having held power since 1982. His appearance in the Far North region on October 7—just five days before the country’s pivotal presidential election—marked his first public campaign event since May, and came as both supporters and critics weighed the future of a nation beset by security and economic woes.
Biya’s rally in Maroua was a moment of high political theater, yet the turnout was far smaller than organizers had hoped. According to AFP, while nearly 25,000 people were expected, only a few hundred supporters from the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement actually filled the stadium’s seats. Still, Biya’s message was unwavering. “My determination to serve you remains intact,” he told the crowd, as reported by AFP. “I ask you once again for your precious support.”
His 25-minute address—delivered in a region that has suffered years of violence at the hands of Boko Haram—focused on themes of security, youth opportunity, and infrastructure. “My goal, my fellow citizens, is for every young person, wherever they may be, to have opportunities that enable them to easily find a job or become an entrepreneur,” Biya declared, as cited by Africanews. He emphasized that no young person, whether a graduate or not, should be left behind. In a nod to the region’s ongoing struggles, he added, “I am well aware of the problems that concern you, I know the unfulfilled expectations that make you doubt the future. Based on my own experience, I can assure you that these problems are not insurmountable.”
The Far North is not just any campaign stop. Predominantly Muslim and economically disadvantaged, the region accounts for nearly 20 percent of Cameroon’s 8.2 million registered voters. It is also one of the country’s poorest areas, with United Nations estimates suggesting that at least 43 percent of Cameroonians live in poverty, measured by basic standards such as income, education, and health. The specter of Boko Haram looms large here, with frequent attacks and kidnappings for ransom disrupting daily life and casting a shadow over the electoral process.
Biya’s promises to strengthen security, tackle youth unemployment, and improve road infrastructure and social amenities resonated with many. Yet, skepticism lingers. The president’s regular absences from the country—most recently, a weeklong stay in Switzerland just before the rally, with no official explanation—have fueled questions about his health and ability to govern. As Africanews noted, Biya has often traveled to Europe for private and medical reasons in recent years and is rarely seen in public, a fact that has not gone unnoticed by his critics.
Despite these concerns, Biya remains a formidable contender. The opposition, long fragmented, is particularly weakened this year. His most significant rival, Maurice Kamto, was barred from running in August, a move that has drawn criticism and further divided opposition ranks. Kamto, for his part, has called on voters “to vote freely” after attempts to unify the opposition failed, according to AFP. Two other candidates—Bello Bouba Maigari and Issa Tchiroma Bakary, both former allies of Biya—are vying for support in the Far North, but their influence may not be enough to tip the scales.
Cameroon’s electoral landscape is shaped by more than personalities and promises. The country’s political system underwent a seismic shift in 2008, when a constitutional amendment—passed by parliamentary vote—removed the two-term presidential limit. This change paved the way for Biya’s continued reign, sparking controversy and casting a long shadow over subsequent elections. Past votes have been marred by allegations of irregularities, with authorities repeatedly accused of favoring the incumbent.
The stakes in this election are high, not just for Biya and his challengers, but for the millions of Cameroonians grappling with insecurity and economic hardship. The Far North, with its 1.22 million registered voters, is a key battleground. The region’s challenges are stark: persistent poverty, limited access to education and health care, and the ever-present threat of extremist violence. In his speech, Biya sought to reassure residents that progress is possible, promising to “step up security in the region plagued by terrorist attacks, curb youth unemployment and improve road infrastructure and social amenities,” as reported by the Associated Press.
Yet, for many in Maroua and beyond, the promises of politicians—however grand—are met with cautious optimism at best. The memory of past pledges unfulfilled lingers, and the reality of daily life in Cameroon’s most vulnerable regions remains harsh. The opposition’s inability to present a unified front further complicates the picture, leaving some voters feeling disenfranchised or resigned to the status quo.
Still, the election on October 12 will be closely watched, both within Cameroon and by the international community. The outcome will determine not only the direction of the country’s leadership but also the prospects for peace, development, and democratic reform. As Biya seeks to extend his 43-year rule, the question on many minds is whether change is possible—or whether the status quo will prevail yet again.
As the campaign enters its final days, the streets of Maroua and other towns across Cameroon are alive with anticipation, anxiety, and—perhaps most of all—hope. Whether that hope is fulfilled remains to be seen, but for now, all eyes are on the ballot box and the promises made beneath the hot sun of the Far North.