Rise to Power
Paul Biya assumed the presidency of Cameroon in 1982 following the resignation of Ahmadou Ahidjo. Initially ruling a one-party state, Biya’s first electoral test in 1988 saw him "re-elected" unopposed with over 90% turnout.
Transition to Multi-Party Elections
1992 – First Contested Election
In Cameroon’s first multi-party election in 1992, Biya narrowly won with 39.98% against John Fru Ndi’s 35.97%. The absence of a runoff system enabled Biya to retain power despite not securing a majority.
1997 – Opposition Boycott
Biya was re-elected with 92.6% of the vote amidst a boycott by major opposition parties, calling into question the legitimacy of the vote.
2004 – Disputed Legitimacy
In 2004, Biya garnered 70.9% in an election heavily criticised for irregularities. The opposition lodged complaints that were ultimately rejected by the Supreme Court.
2011 – Unlimited Terms Begin
After abolishing term limits in 2008, Biya ran again in 2011 and won 78% of the vote. Opposition groups decried the lack of fairness in the process.
2018 – Violence and Low Turnout
With the Anglophone crisis escalating, turnout dropped to 53.8%. Biya won with 71.3% of the vote, but the result was overshadowed by conflict and reports of fraud.
2025 – A 92-Year-Old Candidate
Now aged 92, Paul Biya has confirmed his candidacy for the 2025 election, setting the stage for a potential eighth term despite growing unrest and democratic fatigue.
📊 Election Results Overview
| Year | Registered Voters (M) | Turnout (%) | Biya’s Vote (%) | Main Opposition (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988* | 3.63 | 90.3 | 100 (acclaimed) | None |
| 1992 | 4.20 | 71.9 | 40.0 | 36.0 (Fru Ndi) |
| 1997 | 4.22 | 83.1 | 92.6 | Boycott |
| 2004 | 4.66 | 82.2 | 70.9 | 17.4 (Fru Ndi) |
| 2011 | 7.25 | 68.3 | 78.0 | 10.7 (Fru Ndi) |
| 2018 | 6.67 | 53.8 | 71.3 | 14.2 (Kamto) |
*Single-party election
🔍 Investigative Insights
- Democratic façade: Despite a multi-party system, elections have consistently favoured Biya, raising concerns of fraud, vote-rigging, and constitutional manipulation.
- Declining engagement: Voter turnout dropped from over 90% in 1988 to under 54% in 2018, reflecting disillusionment and unrest, especially in conflict zones.
- Constitutional engineering: The 2008 amendment removed term limits, paving the way for life-long rule.
- Socio-political crisis: Under Biya, Cameroon has suffered prolonged instability, from Boko Haram insurgency to separatist violence in the North West and South West regions.
📝 Conclusion
Paul Biya’s presidency, spanning more than four decades, exemplifies the resilience of autocratic incumbency cloaked in electoral formality. With fresh elections looming in 2025, Cameroonians face a familiar dilemma: entrenched power or the faint hope of democratic change.