Cameroon’s Enduring Crisis: What Paul Biya’s Election Announcement Means for Regional Stability and American Interests

On October 12, Cameroon will hold a presidential election that could either cement the prolonged status quo or ignite further instability in one of Africa’s most volatile regions. Yet the country’s 92-year-old leader, Paul Biya—Africa’s second longest-serving president—has left the nation guessing whether he plans to stand for another term.Biya’s decades-long grip on power has not only undermined democratic norms but also contributed to ongoing crises that resonate far beyond Cameroon’s borders. From violent separatist conflicts in the English-speaking provinces to persistent threats posed by Boko Haram insurgents spilling over from neighboring Nigeria, Cameroon stands at a dangerous crossroads. The...