Young Populations led by the Oldest Leader: Biya Re-elected at 92

Paul Biya, Cameroon’s long-standing president, has been re-elected after first taking office in 1982. In a controversial move in 2008, he eliminated the presidential term limit and will now serve his eighth presidential term for another seven years. 

Fierce protests have ignited after accusations that Biya disqualified his strongest rival and utilized “state machinery” to secure his victory. In major cities like Douala, Garoua, and Maroua, videos show security forces firing tear gas to disperse protestors attempting to block major roadways. Over 105 protestors have been arrested, and four protestors have been killed as hundreds flood the streets. 

Biya has faced numerous controversies, including critics claiming that he led Cameroon from ‘relative stability’ into discord. Cameroon was formed through the merger of two colonial territories, one British and one French. The “Anglophone population,” or English-speaking population, accounts for 20% of people in Cameroon. However, linguistic discrimination has fractured the country due to the alleged marginalization of “Anglophones.” In 2016, English-speaking lawyers and teachers peacefully protested the imposition of French-speaking judges and administrators in schools and courts. They were joined by separatists who advocated for an independent, English-speaking state called “Ambazonia.”  The government’s security forces, under Biya’s government, violently suppressed protestors, leading to instability that has lasted until the present day. Over 900,000 people have fled this conflict, leading to one of the world’s most pressing displacement crises. Although Biya attempted to hold “peace talks,” his offers of dropping criminal charges and special status for Anglophones did not appease the separatists. 

Due to instability and governmental corruption, Cameroon’s youth have become disillusioned with the future of their country. In 2025, Cameroon’s median age is 18 years, and it is ranked as the 20th youngest country in the world. This stark demographic reality underscores the tension between an increasingly youthful population and an entrenched elder leadership. 

The question remains as to whether this age gap reflects experience or a disconnect between representatives and their constituents, as past grievances continue to mar the future.