Cameroon Elections 2025: Meet the Candidates Vying to Lead the Nation
On October 12, 2025, Cameroon will head to the polls to elect its next President. This election is a crucial moment for the Central African nation, with incumbent Paul Biya seeking another term against a field of notable opposition figures.
Here is a look at the key candidates, their backgrounds, and the main themes shaping their campaigns for the 2025 presidential elections.
1. Paul Biya (Cameroon People's Democratic Movement - CPDM)
| Paul Biya |
The Incumbent Seeking an Eighth Term
At 92, President Paul Biya is the world's oldest head of state and the second-longest-ruling in Africa, having been in power since 1982. His bid for an eighth term focuses largely on maintaining stability and continuing his long-term governance.
Key Background: He is the leader of the ruling Cameroon People's Democracy Movement (CPDM) and has served as Prime Minister (1975-1982) before becoming president.
Campaign Platform (Core Themes):
- Security and Stability: Promising to step up security in regions plagued by attacks (like the Far North, facing Boko Haram, and the Anglophone regions).
- Infrastructure and Development: Pledges to improve road infrastructure and social amenities.
- Youth Employment: Vowing to curb high youth unemployment.
- In the Race: His campaign is built on the narrative of an experienced leader guiding the nation through complex challenges. Critics, however, point to his long rule, issues of corruption, slow development, and a perceived erosion of democratic institutions.
2. Issa Tchiroma Bakary (Front for the National Salvation of Cameroon - FNSC)
| Issa Tchiruma Bakary |
The Former Ally Turned Opposition Challenger
Issa Tchiroma Bakary is an experienced political figure who recently resigned from his long-held post as Minister of Employment and Vocational Training to challenge his former boss, President Biya. This move marks a significant split within the ruling circle.
Key Background: A former railway engineer who held ministerial positions for years, including Minister of Communication (2009–2019) and Minister of Transport (1992–1996). He is the candidate for the Front for the National Salvation of Cameroon (FNSC).
- Change from Within: He frames his candidacy as a "path of duty and clarity," moving from a belief in internal reform to recognizing the need for a political break due to the "stagnation of power."
- Focus on the North: As a prominent northern politician, his candidacy is expected to be influential in the Far North region, a vital voting bloc.
- In the Race: Tchiroma represents a key defection from the regime and a push for change led by former insiders.
3. Hermine Patricia Tomaïno Ndam Njoya (Cameroonian Democratic Union - UDC)
| Hermine Patricia |
The Leading Female Voice for Reform
As the only female candidate on the provisional list and the President of the Cameroonian Democratic Union (UDC), Hermine Patricia Tomaïno Ndam Njoya brings a focus on democracy, local governance, and economic entrepreneurship to the race.
Key Background: An author, entrepreneur (President of the Association of Cameroonian Women in Coffee - AFECC), and politician. She served as a Member of Parliament for 13 years and is currently the Mayor of Foumban.
Campaign Focus:
Electoral Reform: She is the spokesperson for the Platform of Opposition Leaders for the Revision of the Electoral Code, highlighting her focus on improving the fairness of the electoral process.
- Local Governance & Development: Her experience as a Mayor and Regional Councilor suggests a platform focused on decentralization and grassroots development.
Promoting Women and Industry: Her work in the coffee sector points to a commitment to agricultural enterprise and gender promotion.
- In the Race: She represents a major legacy party and a strong focus on democratic institutional change.
4. Bello Bouba Maigari (National Union for Democracy and Progress - UNDP)
| Bello Bouba |
The Veteran Politician with Ties to Both Sides
Another veteran politician, Bello Bouba Maigari, has a long history in Cameroonian politics, having served both as Prime Minister in the early 1980s and more recently as a Minister in Biya's government until his resignation.
Key Background: Former Prime Minister (1982–1983) and a longtime Minister, including Minister of State, Tourism and Leisure, until his recent break from the government. He leads the National Union for Democracy and Progress (UNDP).
Campaign Focus:
- While specific details of his 2025 platform are emerging, his long career suggests a focus on national unity and political experience.
- Northern Influence: Like Tchiroma Bakary, Maigari has a significant following in the northern part of Cameroon.
- In the Race: His candidacy further highlights the splits within the traditional political elite and could play a significant role in consolidating or dividing the northern vote.
5. Joshua Osih (Social Democratic Front - SDF)
| Joshua Osih |
The Anglophone Leader of the Main Opposition
Joshua Osih is the leader of the Social Democratic Front (SDF), historically one of Cameroon's main opposition parties. He represents the Anglophone perspective and a call for a greater say for the minority English-speaking regions.
Key Background: A business leader (Chairman of Camport PLC) and the first Anglophone to serve as a Parliamentarian in Douala. He is the leader of the SDF.
- Anglophone Crisis Resolution: His position as a leader from the English-speaking region means his platform is heavily centered on resolving the Anglophone crisis and addressing the marginalization concerns of the Northwest and Southwest regions.
- Economic Reform: His background in business suggests a focus on economic liberalization and growth.
- In the Race: Osih's challenge is to re-energize the historic opposition base and offer a clear path to national reconciliation and stability, particularly in the conflict-ridden Anglophone areas.
6. Akere Muna (Univers Party)
| Akere Muna |
The Anti-Corruption Champion
Akere Muna is an internationally renowned lawyer and an anti-corruption crusader whose platform centers on good governance, transparency, and institutional reform.
Key Background: Global expert in anti-corruption, having served as Vice-Chair of Transparency International and on the African Union High-Level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows. He is the candidate for the Univers Party.Campaign Focus (Core Themes):
Anti-Corruption and Good Governance: This is the cornerstone of his platform, aiming to recover illicitly acquired assets and end systemic corruption.
- Institutional Reform: Focus on strengthening democratic and legal institutions to ensure a transition to a more transparent and accountable government.
- Rule of Law: Emphasizing the need for an independent judiciary and strict adherence to the law.
- In the Race: Muna appeals to those frustrated by chronic corruption and a lack of transparency, offering a clear vision for a governance overhaul.
7. Cabral Libii (Cameroon Party for National Reconciliation - PCRN)
| Cabral Libii |
The Youthful Voice of Opposition
Cabral Libii, a journalist, law instructor, and sitting Member of Parliament, is one of the younger major candidates in the race. He successfully attracted a significant youth vote in the 2018 election and remains a prominent figure for those seeking a generational shift in power.
Key Background: A law professor and journalist, he is a Member of Parliament and the head of the Cameroon Party for National Reconciliation (PCRN).
Campaign Focus:
- Generational Change: His main appeal is to Cameroon's young population, calling for a change in leadership after decades of the incumbent's rule.
- National Reconciliation: The name of his party, PCRN, reflects his focus on uniting the country, which is facing multiple security and political crises.
- In the Race: Libii represents the aspiration of many Cameroonians for a fresh face and a new direction, challenging the old political guard.
The October 12, 2025 election will test the strength of the long-ruling establishment against a divided but determined opposition. Voters face a choice between long-term stability offered by the incumbent and various visions for deep reform, anti-corruption, and generational change presented by the diverse group of challengers.
Who do you think is the most suitable candidate? Drop comments and Vote for Change.
