Will Cameroon Finally Switch It Up? Or Nah?

Cameroon is heading to the polls on October 12, 2025 and yes, President Paul Biya is running. Again. Out of 83 people who tried to get on the ballot this year, only 13 were approved. But there’s one huge name missing: Maurice Kamto. He challenged his exclusion, but the appeal didn’t go through. He’s officially out. Just like that.

Back in the race are two familiar faces: Cabral Libii, 45, and Joshua Osih, 56. Both went up against Biya in 2018 and came up short. Biya, now 92, didn’t just win that election, he cruised.

This year, there are a few new names trying to shake things up. Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a longtime political figure and former communications minister, is in. So is Hermine Ndam Njoya, the only woman in the race, which is kind of a big deal. And then there’s Hiram Samuel Iyodi, who’s 37, speaks to a younger crowd, and has been gaining real momentum online and off.

With Kamto out, it feels like the field just got a little less competitive, and Biya’s chances got even better. If he wins again, he’ll be closing in on 50 years in power. Yes, five-zero. He became president before CDs were a thing.

But here’s what’s interesting. Iyodi is suddenly everywhere. He’s young, he’s fresh, and people are paying attention. He doesn’t have the same political résumé as some of the older candidates, but he might just have something they don’… buzz.

Osih, Libii, and Akere Muna bring experience, but is that enough in 2025? Or are voters just over the same political routine?

One thing’s for sure. Someone is taking the presidency this October. The real question is whether it’ll be the same leader who’s been in charge for four decades or someone new finally breaking through.

We’ll find out soon. But wow, here we are again.