Cameroon’s opposition claims President Paul Biya’s move to delay parliamentary elections is a ploy to cling to power. Critics argue the extension is undemocratic, hindering opposition leaders’ chances in upcoming presidential elections.
In a controversial move, Cameroon’s lawmakers, under the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), passed a law extending their term by one year, sparking accusations from the opposition that President Paul Biya is orchestrating a power grab. Originally elected in 2020 for a five-year term ending in March 2025, the lawmakers’ term will now extend into 2026, thanks to a bill pushed by Biya.
With CPDM controlling 156 out of 180 seats in parliament, the extension was easily approved. Government officials assert that Cameroon’s constitution grants Biya the authority to consult the Constitutional Council and seek parliamentary approval for such extensions when deemed necessary.
Joshua Osih, leader of the opposition Social Democratic Front, vehemently disagrees. He condemned the extension as undemocratic, arguing that the government had ample time to prepare for the 2025 elections. This maneuver, he claims, is a deliberate attempt to entrench Biya’s grip on power.
The opposition and civil society groups believe the extension serves a more sinister purpose: to thwart key opposition figures, such as Maurice Kamto of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM), from participating in the 2025 presidential elections. Kamto, who maintains that Biya stole the 2018 presidential election from him, leads a party that boycotted the 2020 local and parliamentary elections, protesting against alleged plans to rig the vote in favor of CPDM.
Under Cameroonian law, a presidential candidate must belong to a political party with at least one municipal councilor or parliamentary representative. CRM currently holds neither, having planned to gain such positions in the now-postponed 2025 elections to legitimize Kamto’s candidacy.
Kamto argues that the parliamentary extension and the postponement of local elections are tactics by the 91-year-old Biya to secure lifelong leadership. He warned that his party would not tolerate these manipulations and threatened to disrupt the elections if his rights are infringed, though he did not specify how.
The government maintains that joint local and parliamentary elections will be held in 2026, following the 2025 presidential election. Kamto highlights the difficulty for non-party-endorsed presidential candidates to meet the legal requirement of 300 endorsements from influential figures, many of whom are either intimidated by or aligned with Biya.
Biya, in power since 1982 and the world’s oldest head of state, has not confirmed his candidacy for the 2025 elections. However, last March, CPDM supporters rallied, urging him to run again, arguing that only Biya can maintain peace and development in Cameroon.
Critics, however, accuse Biya of ruling with an iron fist and refusing to relinquish power, suggesting he intends to remain president until his death. If re-elected, Biya would serve until 2032, at which point he would be 98 years old.
The extension of parliamentary terms and the delay of elections have ignited a fierce debate about the future of democracy in Cameroon. As the political tension escalates, the eyes of the nation—and the world—are on President Biya and the opposition, waiting to see how this contentious power struggle will unfold.
