Africa's presidents for life

"On July 13, 92-year-old Cameroonian President Paul Biya announced on social media that he would be a candidate in next October's elections. After nearly 43 years of uninterrupted power, Biya has become a true champion of political longevity, surpassed in Africa (by just one month) only by Equatorial Guinea's Teodoro Obiang. But they are not alone. In Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, head of state since 1986, is also preparing to run for his sixth re-election in January,"

"Some thought Biya was on the verge of retirement. The nonagenarian Cameroonian president spends almost all his time locked away in his residence in his birthplace Mvomeka'a almost 100 miles from the capital, Yaounde, but with a small airport nearby and chooses his rare public appearances carefully. Sometimes he falls off the radar for months at a time, almost always for health reasons that require him to travel to Europe, but his silence is complete, and rumors are rife. A year ago, he was considered dead."

"Doubts loom over his real ability not only to campaign, but also to lead a country. All eyes are on his entourage, who truly pulls the strings. There's Samuel Mvondo, chief of staff; Jean Nkuete, coordinator of the governing party; and Ferdinand Ngoh, secretary to the presidency. But above all, there's Chantal Biya, 56, the president's second wife. She wields considerable influence over her husband and has become increasingly prominent as his physical and mental decline worsens."

Paul Biya, 92, announced a candidacy for the October presidential elections after nearly 43 years in power, making him one of Africa's longest-serving leaders. Only Equatorial Guinea's Teodoro Obiang surpasses him by one month. Other long-ruling African presidents include Uganda's Yoweri Museveni and Ivory Coast's Alassane Ouattara. Biya spends most of his time secluded in Mvomeka'a, often traveling to Europe for health reasons, fueling rumors about his condition. His new bid halted succession contenders, while doubts persist about his capacity to campaign and govern. Key aides and his influential wife Chantal will coordinate the campaign; main opposition leader Maurice Kamto has been excluded.

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