The Social Democratic Front (SDF), one of Cameroon’s leading opposition parties, has strongly kicked back against President Paul Biya’s announcement to run for his eighth presidential term at the age of 92.
Biya, who has ruled Cameroon for over 40 years since 1982, would be 99 by the end of his mandate if he wins the upcoming October election, making him 50 years in power.
The SDF’s urges calls for a break from prolonged leadership and presents its candidate, Joshua Osih, as an alternative to lead the nation into a new era.
In its strongly-worded statement, the SDF described Biya’s candidacy as “a stark reminder of the dangers of prolonged leadership.”
The party warned that another seven years under Biya’s regime could exacerbate Cameroon’s ongoing challenges, including economic stagnation, limited freedoms, and a lack of accountability.
“We cannot afford to let history repeat itself,” the statement read, asking citizens to reflect on the direction the nation is about to take.
The SDF has invested its chairman, Joshua Osih, describing him as a “dynamic and visionary” leader committed to progress and innovation.
Osih took over the chairmanship of the party from the founding father, Ni John Fru Ndi, Cameroon’s opposition figure who passed on in 2023.
At the helm of the party, Osih positions himself as the face of change for a country grappling with armed conflicts in the Far North and in the North West and South West Regions.
“The future of Cameroon is at stake,” the SDF said, calling for unity and urging citizens to choose leadership that “truly represents the will of the people.”
Biya’s candidacy announcement on July 13 sparked widespread debate in Cameroon, and came after numerous calls from civil society and religious leaders for the President to retire.
While his supporters credit him with maintaining peace in a turbulent region, Biya’s detractors point to rising poverty, armed conflicts, urban crime waves, corruption and misgovernance as evidence of the need for change.
The October election is promising to be a critical moment for Cameroon’s future, with the SDF positioning itself as a viable alternative to Biya’s long-standing Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM).
