Paul Biya Seeks Eighth Term in 2025 as TikTokers and Critics React

Cameroon’s President Paul Biya has officially announced his intention to run for an eighth term in the 2025 presidential election, sparking a wave of reactions across social media platforms, especially TikTok. The 92-year-old leader, who has been in power since 1982, made his intentions clear in a recent statement shared through official party channels and reaffirmed on social media, declaring, “The best is still to come.”

According to a recent report by BBC News (source), Biya’s bid has reignited debates about leadership longevity, democracy, and generational change in Cameroon. Many young people, including influencers and content creators on TikTok, have taken to the platform to express disbelief and frustration at the move, with some trending videos satirizing the announcement and others pleading for political reform. The phrase “Paul Biya 2025” has been gaining traction across TikTok, with creators reacting to his advanced age and the lack of visible political transition.

Biya’s decision comes amid ongoing political tension in the country, particularly concerning the Anglophone crisis and calls for greater democratic openness. Despite these challenges, he remains the candidate of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), a party that has consistently dominated the political space for decades. Analysts note that Biya’s long rule has been marked by stability on one hand, and repression of dissent on the other.

International observers and some former allies, including senior politicians like Bello Bouba Maigari and Issa Tchiroma Bakary, have announced their own presidential ambitions, suggesting a potential shift in the political landscape. However, given Biya’s entrenched influence over the military and electoral institutions, many believe his path to re-election remains largely unchallenged.

Following the announcement, Biya also conducted a reshuffle of the country’s military leadership, raising concerns about the use of state security structures to maintain political control. Critics say this move is designed to reinforce loyalty ahead of what could be a tense election season.

Cameroonians will head to the polls on October 12, 2025. Whether this will mark the continuation of Biya’s legacy or a shift toward a new political era remains to be seen.