Cameroon Schedules Twice-Postponed Elections for February 7 Amidst Political Tensions

Cameroon's President Paul Biya has set February 7 of next year as the date for the nation's legislative and local elections, which have been postponed twice. The announcement was made via a decree read on public radio on Monday by the 93-year-old president. This decision arrives at a critical juncture for Cameroon, marked by a crackdown on the opposition following last year's election that secured Biya another term. President Biya, who has governed Cameroon since 1982 and is the world's oldest head of state, faced widespread protests after his re-election in October last year. Human Rights Watch reported that security forces detained up to 2,000 people, with some remaining in custody, according to AFP news agency. The government had previously extended the terms of lawmakers until December 20 and municipal councillors until February 28, 2027, due to the election delays. The country also awaits a government reshuffle, announced almost a year ago, and the appointment of a vice president, a position reintroduced by constitutional reform in April, intended to succeed Biya. Persistent questions regarding the president's health, fueled by frequent international travel, have sparked debate about his capacity to govern. Media discussions on the president's health have been prohibited since 2024, following rumors of his death. In late August, Biya returned to Yaounde after an extended stay in Geneva, drawing significant criticism from opposition parties. Last month, authorities suspended the Cameroon National Salvation Front (FSNC), the party of defeated presidential candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who had declared himself the election winner and urged supporters to defend his claim from exile in The Gambia.