Cameroon president — since 1982 — continues to hold office despite controversy

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Paul Biya has been the president of Cameroon since 1982, winning reelection for an eighth term this month at age 92, making him the world’s oldest and one of the longest-serving nonroyal heads of state [1][2][3]. His presidency has lasted over four decades, ranking among the longest globally.

Biya became president after the resignation of his predecessor, Ahmadou Ahidjo, in 1982, and consolidated power following a coup attempt [4]. If he completes this term, he will serve until he is about 99 years old [3].

Government structure and executive power

Cameroon is a republic with a strong central government dominated by the executive branch [5][6]. The president holds extensive powers, including appointing cabinet members, judges, governors and approving or vetoing regulations. The judiciary is subordinate to the executive branch, and the legislature has limited power [5]. The constitution prescribes a presidential term of seven years, renewable indefinitely, with no maximum age limit [7].

Despite formal reforms and election contests, Biya’s regime is widely seen as authoritarian, with systemic fraud allegations in elections from 1992 onward [4]. His ability to serve so long stems from strong centralized executive power, constitutional amendments allowing extended terms, and a political system that limits the effectiveness of opposition [3].

The 2025 election and violent unrest

The election that concluded Monday triggered violent unrest and protests, with at least four protesters killed amid opposition claims that the vote was rigged in Biya’s favor [1][8][9]. Opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary and his supporters claim he won the election and accuse Biya’s government of rigging the vote [8][10]. Protests erupted in multiple cities, leading to violent clashes with security forces [8][9].

The unrest relates to long-standing dissatisfaction with Biya’s rule, perceived electoral fraud, authoritarian governance and the exclusion of meaningful political opposition [3][10].

Opposition supporters, largely younger than 35 — the majority demographic in Cameroon — are demanding credible election results and political change [1][3]. The majority of Cameroon’s population is young and sees Biya’s aging leadership as disconnected and unrepresentative of their aspirations for change [3].

Longest-serving leaders: a global comparison

Biya is currently the second-longest serving nonroyal national leader in the world, with 43 years in power as of this year [11]. He has ruled Cameroon for over 43 years as president and over 49 years including earlier roles [3]. His tenure approaches historic lengths, especially among elected presidents.

The following leaders represent key comparisons for longest-serving nonroyal national leaders in the modern era:

• Fidel Castro (Cuba): 49 years, 1959-2008 [11][12]
• Chiang Kai-shek (Taiwan): 47 years, 1928-1975 [11]
• Kim Il Sung (North Korea): 46 years, 1948-1994 [11]
• Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (Equatorial Guinea): 45-plus years ongoing, 1979-present [11]
• Muammar Gaddafi (Libya): 41 years, 1969-2011 [11]
• Omar Bongo Ondimba (Gabon): 42 years, 1967-2009 [11]

Some of the oldest currently serving leaders besides Biya include King Salman of Saudi Arabia (89), King Harald V of Norway (87) and Iran’s Ali Khamenei (85) [3][13]. Among monarchs, Elizabeth II was one of the longest-reigning, ruling for 70 years [3].

Presidential age limits

Most countries set minimum age requirements for presidency but rarely have maximum age limits [7][14]. For example, the Central African Republic, Chile, China and Cyprus have minimum age requirements (generally 35-45 years) for presidential candidates [7][14][26][27]. There are no widely known constitutional maximum age limits in most countries, including Cameroon [7]. This absence allows very elderly leaders like Biya to remain in office.

How long-serving leaders leave power

Most transitions for long-serving rulers have historically occurred in contexts of severe public unrest, military revolt, internal party power struggles or a loss of foreign support [15][16]. In a smaller number of cases, aging or ill leaders have handed power to trusted successors peacefully; however, voluntary step-downs remain the exception [15].

Leaders removed by force or uprising

• Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe, 1980-2017): Served for 37 years before being deposed in a 2017 military coup after widespread protests [16]
• Hosni Mubarak (Egypt, 1981-2011): Ruled for 30 years, forced to resign following massive protests during Egypt’s Arab Spring [16]
• Omar al-Bashir (Sudan, 1989-2019): In power for 30 years, removed by a military coup in April 2019 [16][17]
• Blaise Compaoré (Burkina Faso, 1987-2014): Ruled for 27 years but was overthrown in 2014 by a popular uprising [16][18]
• Yahya Jammeh (The Gambia, 1994-2017): After 22 years in power, Jammeh lost elections but tried to cling to power before being removed through regional military pressure [15]

Smooth or peaceful transitions

• Jerry Rawlings (Ghana, 1981-2001): Seized power in coups but later transitioned Ghana to civilian democratic rule in the 1990s, stepping down peacefully after multiparty elections [15][19]

• Fidel Castro (Cuba, 1959-2008): After nearly five decades, transitioned power to his brother Raúl Castro due to illness rather than an uprising or coup [12][15]

These examples demonstrate that extended rule often creates conditions ripe for turmoil or abrupt, sometimes violent, transitions — even as some leaders manage eventual peaceful exits [15].

FDR and presidential term limits in US

The longest-serving president of the United States was Franklin D. Roosevelt, who held office for 12 years from 1933 until his death in 1945 [20][21]. He remains the only U.S. president to have been elected to more than two terms [20].

Roosevelt’s unprecedented tenure led to the ratification of the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution in 1951, which officially limits future presidents to two elected terms [21][22]. This amendment ensures that no subsequent president can serve as long as Roosevelt did [21].

The 22nd Amendment was passed as a direct response to Roosevelt’s unprecedented four-term presidency, which shattered the long-standing tradition of American presidents voluntarily stepping down after two terms — a precedent originally set by George Washington [22][23]. Lawmakers and members of the public grew concerned that unlimited presidential tenure invited the dangers of autocracy, dictatorship or excessive concentration of power [22][23]. After Roosevelt’s death in 1945, Congress prioritized formalizing term limits to safeguard democracy [22][23].

Concerns about Trump, presidential term limits

Experts and residents are concerned that President Donald Trump will try to seek a third term because Trump and his allies — including Steve Bannon — have repeatedly suggested plans or interest in extending Trump’s presidency beyond the two-term constitutional limit [24][25]. Trump has publicly expressed a desire for a third term and has hinted at exploring loopholes in the amendment, such as running for vice president and ascending to the presidency through succession rather than election [24][25].

Legal scholars point to the fact that the 22nd Amendment bars anyone from being “elected” president more than twice, but its wording creates ambiguity about whether someone could “serve” as president without being elected for a third term [24]. This has sparked constitutional and public anxiety over possible attempts to circumvent the democratic norm and legal precedent established after Roosevelt’s four terms [24].

Constitutional experts largely agree that any effort to remain in office through such maneuvers would violate the amendment’s intent and be blocked by Congress, the courts or, ultimately, public opposition [24][25]. Nevertheless, Trump continues to tease — and market merchandise touting — future campaigns, fueling concern among both Democrats and Republicans that the sanctity of presidential term limits could be challenged under his leadership [24][25].

Sources

[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/cameroons-biya-wins-re-election-official-results-show-2025-10-27/

[2]https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdx45zln4qvo

[3] https://www.npr.org/2025/10/27/nx-s1-5586685/cameroon-biya-old-africa-youth

[4] https://journalofsocialsciences.org/vol5no2/understanding-the-durability-of-the-paul-biya-regime-in-cameroon--a-micro-level-approach-using-afrobarometer/

[5] https://globaledge.msu.edu/countries/cameroon/government

[6] https://2009-2017.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/cameroon/34968.htm

[7] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_presidential_qualifications_by_country

[8] https://apnews.com/article/cameroon-protests-election-tchiroma-biya-885d5a2cd41164e37e760777946a60e7

[9] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/26/two-killed-in-cameroon-protests-ahead-of-election-results-opposition-says

[10] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/cameroon-opposition-rejects-biyas-win-alleges-fraud-amid-violent-protests-2025-10-28/

[11] https://www.france24.com/en/20180312-worlds-longest-serving-leaders

[12] https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/list-of-longest-serving-world-leaders-1820003200-1

[13] https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/who-is-the-oldest-president-in-the-world-1820003288-1

[14] https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20231016-the-world-s-youngest-elected-leaders

[15] https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/leaders-fled-uprisings-126547667

[16] https://www.history.co.uk/articles/downfall-how-five-fearsome-dictators-were-finally-overthrown

[17] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-46783600

[18] https://www.africanexponent.com/10-african-presidents-ousted-from-power-as-of-2024-the-untold-stories-of-political-coups/

[19] http://archive.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/2123_96.htm

[20] https://www.history.com/articles/fdr-four-term-president-22-amendment

[21]https://www.nyhistory.org/blogs/fdr-serve-four-terms-president

[22] https://www.npr.org/2022/09/06/1120383809/22nd-amendment-explainer

[23] https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/why-does-the-u-s-have-presidential-term-limits-the-history-of-the-22nd-amendment

[24] https://www.politifact.com/article/2025/oct/27/trump-bannon-third-term-constitution/

[25] https://www.axios.com/2025/10/27/trump-2028-third-term-jd-vance

[26] https://english.www.gov.cn/archive/chinaabc/201911/22/content_

[27] https://www.gov.cy/moi/en/ministry/departments/civil-registry-section/central-electoral-service/presidential-elections/ WS60755058c6d0df57f98d7c40.html