Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, already the world’s oldest head of state at 92, has announced he will run for re-election in October, potentially extending his 43-year rule for another seven years. The announcement, made through a post on X (formerly Twitter), sets the stage for what could become one of Africa’s most controversial elections.

“Rest assured that my determination to serve you matches the urgency of the challenges we face,” Biya wrote, explaining that his decision came after “numerous and insistent” calls from supporters across Cameroon and its diaspora.

The move, though widely expected, has reignited debates about leadership, democracy, and the future of the Central African nation. Biya, who has been in power since 1982, has never lost an election. If he wins again, he could remain president until he is nearly 100 years old.

Biya’s long rule has been marked by both stability and controversy. While some credit him with maintaining relative peace in a region often troubled by conflict, his administration has faced persistent accusations of corruption, embezzlement, and failure to address security threats, including the ongoing Anglophone crisis in Cameroon’s western regions.

His advanced age and health have also been subjects of concern. Last year, a six-week absence from public view sparked rumors of his death, forcing officials to release photos proving he was still alive. Though his supporters dismiss such concerns, critics argue that Cameroon needs fresh leadership to tackle its mounting challenges.

Biya’s candidacy comes at a time when his political base appears to be weakening. Key allies from Cameroon’s northern regions, who once helped secure crucial votes for him, have recently defected. Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a prominent minister, and Bello Bouba Maigari, a former prime minister, both left the ruling coalition and announced plans to run against him.

Tchiroma, once a staunch defender of Biya, now accuses the government of breaking public trust. His departure signals a rare fracture within the political elite that has long propped up Biya’s rule.

Meanwhile, the opposition is gearing up for what it hopes will be a more competitive race. Maurice Kamto, who finished second in the disputed 2018 election, is running again, alongside other challengers like Joshua Osih, Akere Muna, and Cabral Libii.

But Biya still holds significant advantages. As leader of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), he controls state resources, the electoral machinery, and much of the media. In 2008, he abolished term limits, allowing himself to run indefinitely.

On the streets of Yaoundé, reactions to Biya’s decision were cautious and divided. Many people interviewed by the BBC declined to give their full names, fearing reprisals, a sign of the political tensions in the country.

“Never in the political history of nations have I seen or heard that a man of that age is declaring his candidacy,” said one anonymous resident. Another, Camille Esselem, expressed surprise, saying, “I really thought he would go and rest and hand over to a new generation.”

Yet some still back Biya, arguing that experience matters more than age. Public sector worker Ngono Marius said, “If he is a candidate, it means he’s capable to lead.” Sylvia Tipa, a consultant, admitted that while she believes in democratic change, she wonders if “there’s no-one better than him.”

With the election set for October, the question is not just whether Biya will win, most analysts expect he will, but what his continued rule means for Cameroon. The country faces economic struggles, separatist violence, and a young population increasingly frustrated with decades of the same leadership.

For now, Biya remains defiant, framing his candidacy as an act of duty rather than personal ambition. But as Cameroon prepares for yet another chapter under his rule, many are left wondering: How much longer can one man lead a nation yearning for change?