By Adonis Byemelwa
At 92 years old, Cameroonian President Paul Biya’s recent statement hinting at his intention to run for another term has stirred political debate across Africa and beyond.
Speaking during his annual end-of-year viral address, Biya subtly indicated that he still harbors ambitions for another presidential term, despite his advanced age and four decades in office.
His remark adds to a growing trend among African leaders who continue to defy term limits, raising important questions about political longevity, the concentration of power, and the consequences for democratic institutions across the continent.
Biya’s potential candidacy for the 2025 election is not an isolated case. His assertion that Cameroon is preparing for a “challenging” election is both a recognition of the political unrest in the country and a veiled indication of his intent to remain at the helm.
As leader of the Cameroon Peoples Democratic Movement (CPDM), Biya has managed to position himself as the party's sole candidate, in line with the party’s constitution. His long tenure, marked by a centralized power structure, reflects a wider pattern seen across various African nations.
President Paul Biya’s long reign is reminiscent of other leaders who have held on to power for decades.
In Rwanda, President Paul Kagame, now in power for over two decades, has also found ways to bypass term limits, most notably through a 2015 constitutional amendment that allows him to remain in power until 2034.
Like Biya, Kagame has argued that his continued leadership is necessary for the stability and development of his country, particularly after the genocide of the 1990s. Yet, critics argue that this longevity has come at the expense of democratic practices, stifling political opposition, and consolidating power in the hands of a few.
Similarly, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who took power in 1986, continues to cling to power, defying the limitations placed by the Ugandan constitution.
Museveni’s reign has been punctuated by his controversial removal of presidential age limits in 2017, allowing him to stay in office indefinitely.
While he is praised by some for bringing stability to Uganda after years of turmoil, critics see his extended rule as a threat to Uganda’s democracy. The presence of an entrenched political leader who has no apparent plans to relinquish control only raises questions about the future of the country’s political landscape.
In Equatorial Guinea, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema stands as one of the longest-serving leaders in the world, having ruled since 1979 after seizing power in a coup.
Despite his age and the growing discontent from his people, Obiang’s grip on power has remained unshaken. Political analysts point out that his government is notorious for human rights abuses, suppression of political opposition, and corruption.
Yet, he continues to win elections, often under questionable circumstances, and remains firmly in control, demonstrating the lengths to which some leaders are willing to go to extend their rule.
These leaders share a common thread: the refusal to relinquish power. While each country has its unique historical and political context, the pattern of leaders who defy term limits raises significant questions about the future of governance in Africa.
For one, the extension of presidential terms has often come at the expense of democratic norms. In many cases, political opposition is either marginalized or outright eliminated, while leaders consolidate power within their inner circles.
As seen with Biya, Kagame, Museveni, and Obiang, leaders often justify their continued rule by citing national security concerns, economic development, or the threat of instability, suggesting that they are irreplaceable and that their leadership is the only path to progress.
However, political analysts argue that this trend of extending presidential terms is not without its consequences. According to Professor Adebayo Olukoshi, an expert in African politics, the longevity of these leaders often leads to the erosion of democratic institutions.
"When leaders remain in power for extended periods, they start to personalize power, weakening the institutions that are supposed to hold them accountable," Olukoshi explains. "This creates a dangerous environment where the rule of law is undermined, and the separation of powers is blurred."
Another significant issue raised by the continuation of these long-term leaders is the suppression of political opposition. In countries like Uganda and Rwanda, opposition parties face significant challenges in gaining substantial traction. With leaders who have been in power for decades, the political environment becomes increasingly hostile to dissenting voices, stifling the emergence of alternative political ideologies and leadership.
"The longer these leaders stay in power, the harder it becomes for new political voices to emerge," says Dr. Linda Mhlanga, a Zimbabwean political analyst. "The result is a political landscape that lacks the vibrancy needed for healthy democratic debate."
In addition to the risks posed to democracy, there is also the issue of economic stagnation. While some of these long-serving leaders point to their economic achievements, such as infrastructure development or poverty reduction, there is little evidence that their policies have led to long-term, sustainable growth.
Many African countries under prolonged leadership have experienced corruption, inequality, and rising unemployment, all of which are exacerbated by a lack of political accountability.
Critics argue that the concentration of power in the hands of one individual or a small group of elites hampers innovation and economic progress, as decisions are made with little regard for public opinion or broad-based consultation.
International observers have long raised concerns about the democratic backslide in countries where leaders hold on to power for extended periods.
According to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index, countries like Rwanda, Uganda, and Equatorial Guinea are considered "hybrid regimes"—with some democratic elements but marred by authoritarian practices.
The trend of leaders refusing to cede power undermines the idea of free and fair elections, with many of these leaders winning elections in tightly controlled, often rigged, environments.
In Biya’s case, his continued dominance within the CPDM further complicates the notion of democratic competition. With no viable alternative candidates within the party, Biya’s candidacy for a sixth term could be a repeat of the same political dynamics that have kept him in power for years.
The implications for the African political landscape are significant. While some argue that the political stability offered by these long-serving leaders is crucial for economic and social development, others contend that their continued rule stifles democracy, oppresses opposition, and delays the necessary reforms that could elevate these nations to new heights. As analysts point out, the failure to encourage political transition and leadership renewal often leads to stagnation and crisis.
Ultimately, the enduring grip of leaders like Biya, Kagame, Museveni, and Obiang raises a crucial question: Is Africa’s future one of political renewal and democratic expansion, or will it remain locked in a cycle of prolonged rule by entrenched leaders?
For now, the answer remains unclear, but the debate surrounding term limits will continue to shape the continent’s political discourse for years to come. The ongoing struggle for a more democratic Africa hinges on the ability to push back against these longstanding leaders and create a political environment where new voices can rise and the aspirations of the people are truly represented.