As Cameroon approaches its October 2025 presidential election, a wave of influential voices is urging citizens to vote for change. A group comprising university scholars, civil society representatives, and traditional authorities has publicly appealed to President Paul Biya who has held office since 1982 not to seek re-election. At 92, they argue, his extended tenure reflects a political system incapable of tackling pressing national challenges such as the anglophone crisis, economic distress, and entrenched corruption.
The appeal has stirred national debate. While some regional leaders continue to defend Biya’s leadership as a pillar of stability, others including prominent church figures criticize his potential candidacy as unrealistic and a threat to democratic progress.
International observers, including Human Rights Watch, have also raised concerns about growing repression ahead of the vote, citing instances of opposition crackdowns and restrictions on political freedoms.
With over 65% of the population under 30 and mounting frustration over stalled reform, many see the 2025 election as a crucial crossroads between continuity and the hope for a new political era.
