President Paul Biya, 92, who has ruled Cameroon since 1982 and is preparing to seek an eighth term in the upcoming October elections, is now confronting a major legal challenge to his candidacy.
Akere Tabeng Muna, a respected opposition figure and former president of the Cameroon Bar Association, has formally petitioned the Constitutional Council to disqualify Biya under Article 118 of the electoral code. The petition cites Biya’s age, frequent health related absences, and alleged reliance on third parties as factors rendering him unfit to run. Muna insists the move is a constitutional necessity, not a political maneuver. A ruling is expected Friday at 11 a.m. at the Palais des Congrès in Yaoundé.
This legal challenge follows another controversial decision: the Constitutional Council recently upheld the disqualification of Biya’s main rival, Maurice Kamto, sparking criticism from Human Rights Watch and leading to tear gas being deployed against demonstrators in the capital.
Despite mounting scrutiny over governance and electoral fairness, Biya’s candidacy was confirmed via social media, reinforcing his enduring hold on power. As the nation awaits the court’s decision, concerns over transparency, leadership succession, and democratic integrity continue to intensify.
