92 Years Old, 43 Years in Power - The Cameroonian Presidential Election Reflects the "Wall of Time": Paul Biya's New Challenge

On October 12, 2025, a presidential election was held in Cameroon, with 92-year-old Paul Biya seeking an eighth term as vote counting progresses. Biya has maintained power for 43 years since taking office in 1982, with the abolition of term limits in 2008 and a single-round voting system serving as the institutional foundation for his long-term rule. This time, nine opposition candidates, including former government spokesperson Issa Tchiroma, are challenging him. However, the widespread view is that the incumbent has the advantage due to his control over state machinery and the fragmentation of the opposition. On election day, tensions rose in the capital and the northern regions, with reports of tear gas being used in Garoua. On social media, there are (1) cautious voices advising "not to be misled by unofficial results," (2) concerns about fraud questioning the transparency of voter registration and vote counting, and (3) discussions about the generational gap with comments like "having the same president since birth." Official results are expected to be announced up to 15 days later, and regardless of the outcome, the political participation of the younger generation and the rise of online public opinion are expected to influence the legitimacy of governance in the future.