The United Nations has urged the government of Cameroon to guarantee free, fair, and transparent elections amid mounting concerns over restrictions on political participation ahead of the country’s presidential polls.
Speaking at a press briefing in Geneva on Tuesday, Jeremy Laurence, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, warned of growing constraints placed on opposition parties as the electoral process approaches. Reports of bans on certain political gatherings, the exclusion of key political figures from the race, and irregularities in voter registration have raised alarm about the credibility of the election.
The scrutiny comes as President Paul Biya, now 92 years old, confirmed in July that he would run for an eighth term in office, ending speculation that he might step down. Biya, who has ruled Cameroon since 1982, is the country’s second leader since independence from France in 1960. His more than four decades in power have made him Africa’s second-longest-serving president, after Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea.
Biya’s long rule has been marked by both continuity and controversy. His government has been accused of corruption and of failing to resolve deep-rooted political and social grievances. The secessionist movement in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions has forced thousands of students out of schools and sparked violent confrontations between separatist fighters and government security forces. Cameroon has also faced ongoing security threats from Boko Haram militants operating from neighboring Nigeria, further destabilizing the country’s north.
Health concerns surrounding the president have also fueled uncertainty. In recent years, Biya has frequently traveled abroad for medical care, and rumors of his death last year compelled the government to issue an official denial.
The president last secured re-election in 2018 with more than 70 percent of the vote, though that contest was marred by allegations of irregularities, low voter turnout, and disruptions caused by both separatist violence and jihadist activity.
As Cameroon prepares for another election under Biya’s leadership, the UN has underscored the need for inclusivity, transparency, and fairness, warning that failure to uphold these principles risks deepening political divisions and undermining public trust in the democratic process.
Cameroon’s upcoming presidential election has drawn heightened international attention, not merely because of the age and tenure of President Paul Biya but also due to the deep political, social, and security fissures that threaten the country’s stability. The United Nations, in a statement delivered by Jeremy Laurence, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, urged the government to guarantee free, fair, and transparent elections, warning against the increasing marginalization of opposition voices and irregularities in the electoral process.
The call from Geneva comes at a sensitive moment. Biya, now 92 years old, announced in July that he would contest for an eighth term, putting an end to speculation about his succession. As Africa’s second-longest-serving leader after Equatorial Guinea’s Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Biya has governed Cameroon since 1982, making him one of the most enduring figures in African politics. His rule, however, has been a paradox: characterized by relative stability in the early decades but increasingly marred by corruption allegations, repression, and unresolved conflict in the English-speaking regions.
The political environment ahead of the vote is already raising red flags. Opposition parties report restrictions on gatherings, exclusion of prominent figures from the ballot, and irregularities in voter registration. Such measures echo patterns from previous elections, including the 2018 contest, which Biya won with over 70 percent of the vote despite widespread allegations of fraud and voter intimidation. That election also saw historically low turnout in regions plagued by separatist and jihadist violence, undermining its credibility in the eyes of many Cameroonians and international observers.
Biya’s legacy is inseparable from the challenges that define Cameroon today. In the Anglophone regions, what began as protests by teachers and lawyers against perceived marginalization has escalated into a full-blown separatist crisis. Armed groups now control pockets of territory, schools have been shut down, and thousands of civilians have been displaced. The conflict has drawn comparisons to other African secessionist movements, highlighting how unresolved grievances can fuel long-term instability if left unaddressed.
At the same time, Cameroon’s northern regions remain vulnerable to Boko Haram attacks spilling across the border from Nigeria. The extremist insurgency has destabilized communities, stretched the country’s military, and compounded humanitarian challenges. These crises have not only tested Biya’s leadership but also strained Cameroon’s relationship with international partners, many of whom provide security and humanitarian aid while pressing for governance reforms.
The president’s advanced age and recurring absences abroad for medical care have fueled questions about succession and the future of Cameroon’s political system. Rumors of Biya’s death last year briefly spread across social media, forcing the government to issue a denial. Yet the episode underscored the fragility of a state so heavily reliant on a single figure. Analysts warn that the absence of a clear transition plan could destabilize the country further if Biya’s health fails while in office.
For the international community, Cameroon’s election is more than a domestic affair. As a regional hub in Central Africa, its stability directly affects the security of neighboring countries, particularly given its shared borders with Nigeria, Chad, and the Central African Republic—all of which face their own security crises. The UN’s call for transparency is thus not only about democratic principles but also about preventing Cameroon from sliding deeper into conflict with wider regional consequences.
The stakes could not be higher. If the upcoming election is perceived as illegitimate, it risks deepening political divisions, fueling separatist sentiment, and eroding public trust in already fragile institutions. On the other hand, credible elections could open a pathway toward reconciliation, especially if accompanied by meaningful dialogue with the opposition and civil society.
Cameroon today stands at a crossroads. After more than four decades of Biya’s leadership, the nation faces the choice of clinging to the status quo or moving toward a political renewal that could address long-standing grievances. Whether that transition will be peaceful and democratic—or chaotic and contested—remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the world is watching closely, and the demands for accountability are growing louder both at home and abroad.
