Cameroon Cannot Entrust Its Future to a 93-Year-Old President – Dr Fomunyoh

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

BUEA, Cameroon – The 2025 presidential election in Cameroon is shaping up to be one of the most decisive in the country’s history. On the Beyond Africa podcast, seasoned democracy advocate Dr Christopher Fomunyoh laid bare the stakes, urging Cameroonians to rethink their future as the country stands at a crossroads.

President Paul Biya, in power for 43 years, is seeking another seven-year term at the age of 93. If successful, he would remain in office until the age of 99, an unprecedented milestone in global politics.

Dr Christopher Fomunyoh, Senior Associate and Regional Director for Africa at the Washington-based National Democratic Institute (NDI) and a veteran election observer, agreed the coming vote is a watershed moment. He highlighted three burning issues: whether the opposition can unite behind a single candidate, whether the diaspora can be reintegrated into political life, and, ultimately, who can credibly lead Cameroon beyond Biya’s era.

On diaspora participation, Fomunyoh was blunt. “Unlike Senegal or Mali, Cameroon has often treated its diaspora as adversaries,” he said. He decried decades of hostility, from the government blocking overseas voting to disregarding remittances and expertise.

He cited Senegal’s example, where former President Macky Sall successfully raised billions through diaspora-backed treasury bonds. “There’s no reason Cameroon can’t do the same," he stressed. "Criticism from the diaspora should not be seen as sabotage; it's a call for better governance."

The Opposition’s Dilemma

Turning to the opposition, Fomunyoh argued that unity is the only realistic path to change. Cameroon's one-round presidential system, he said, structurally favours the ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).

“The only time the opposition almost won was in 1992, when they rallied behind John Fru Ndi,” he said. “Since then, fragmented opposition parties have handed victory to Biya every time.”

This year, 11 opposition candidates have filed, each paying a hefty 30 million CFA francs registration fee. Some argue that refunding those who withdraw could ease coalition-building, but Fomunyoh warned that the real obstacle is ego, not money. “Many candidates want to be in Biya’s shoes, not to transform the country. Without selflessness, they risk being remembered as spoilers.”

Still, he believes the 2025 race is more winnable than past elections. He pointed to the CPDM’s waning dominance in northern Cameroon, Biya’s declining health and visibility, and an impatient youth demographic “facing economic hardship and yearning for change.”

Who Should Lead Cameroon?

Pressed on whether he himself would run, Fomunyoh stopped short of declaring candidacy. “It’s not a question of competence,” he said. “But there are multiple ways to contribute to change, through ideas, policy positions, and support for others.”

He emphasised that his foundation, launched in 1999, continues to invest in education and humanitarian programs, including work with internally displaced persons from the Anglophone conflict and refugees in Nigeria.

Yet he did not evade the bigger question: who can take Cameroon forward? He called for a candidate able to embody renewal, heal deep divisions, and inspire trust at home and abroad. “Cameroon cannot entrust its future to someone who will soon be 93 years old,” he warned. “This country of 30 million deserves leadership that is present, dynamic, and visionary.”

For Fomunyoh, the October election is not just about one man or one party. It is about the soul of Cameroon and its role in Africa. “We wouldn’t hire a 92-year-old driver, teacher, or cook,” he said pointedly. “So why should we hand the fate of a nation mired in multiple crises to a 93-year-old president?”

"If Cameroonians fail to seize this moment, history will judge us harshly. But if we rise to the occasion, we can set an example for Africa that leadership renewal and democratic change are still possible."