World's oldest president to seek eighth term

The world's oldest caput of state, Cameroon's President Paul Biya, 92, has said helium volition tally erstwhile much for re-election successful October aiming to widen his 43 years successful power.

"Rest assured that my determination to service you matches the urgency of the challenges we face," he said successful a station connected X.

He added that his determination to spell for an eighth word came aft "numerous and insistent" calls by radical from each regions successful Cameroon and the diaspora.

Biya's medication has faced disapproval implicit corruption, embezzlement, atrocious governance and nonaccomplishment to tackle information challenges. There person besides been concerns astir his wellness and quality to govern.

His absence from the nationalist for much than six weeks past twelvemonth led to speculation about his well-being and unfounded rumours that helium had died.

His candidacy was expected but not formally confirmed until Sunday's societal media post.

Biya has ne'er mislaid an predetermination since taking powerfulness successful 1982 and if helium wins different seven-year word helium could beryllium president until helium is astir 100.

There person been increasing calls from wrong and extracurricular Cameroon for him to measurement speech and springiness mode for caller enactment successful the cardinal African nation.

His candidacy follows a caller governmental divorcement from cardinal allies from the bluish regions, who had been important successful helping unafraid votes successful erstwhile elections from that portion of the country.

Two of these men - salient curate Issa Tchiroma Bakary and erstwhile Prime Minister Bello Bouba Maigari - recently discontinue the ruling coalition and separately announced plans to tally successful the election.

Last month, Tchiroma said the Biya medication helium belonged to had "broken" nationalist spot and helium was switching to a rival party.

Multiple absorption figures, including 2018 runner-up Maurice Kamto, arsenic good arsenic Joshua Osih, Akere Muna, and Cabral Libii, person besides announced their candidacies.

However, members of the governing Cameroon People's Democratic Movement and different supporters person since past twelvemonth publically called for Biya to question different term. He was already the de-facto campaigner arsenic the enactment leader.

Biya abolished word limits successful 2008, enabling him to question the presidency indefinitely.

He won the 2018 elections with much than 71% of the ballot though absorption groups accused the process of wide irregularities.