Cameroon’s long-standing political order is facing mounting pressure as a second senior ally of President Paul Biya has entered the presidential race ahead of an anticipated October election. Tourism Minister Bello Bouba Maigari, a former prime minister and key northern ally of Biya, officially accepted the presidential nomination from his party, the National Union for Democracy and Progress (NUDP), on Saturday.
At 78, Maigari has been a fixture in Cameroonian politics for over three decades and remains an influential figure in Biya’s administration. Notably, Maigari has not resigned from his ministerial post despite his declaration, a move that raises questions about the unity within Biya’s ruling coalition and the evolving political dynamics in the country.
His candidacy follows closely on the heels of Issa Tchiroma Bakary’s resignation from government last week. Bakary, another northern heavyweight and former government spokesperson, announced his presidential bid citing “widespread calls for change” among Cameroonians.
These developments signal a potential crack in the longstanding strategic alliance between President Biya’s central government and powerful northern elites. Northern Cameroon’s three provinces—Adamawa, North, and Far North—are home to over 2 million registered voters, making the region a key electoral battleground. With more than 8 million Cameroonians registered to vote nationwide, according to provisional data from the electoral commission, any shift in support from the north could dramatically alter the electoral landscape.
President Biya, now 92, has held power since 1982, making him the world’s oldest serving head of state. His silence on whether he will seek another term has further intensified speculation and may be fueling the ambitions of former allies who see an opportunity for leadership change.
Cameroon, a nation of roughly 30 million people and a major producer of cocoa and oil, stands at a crossroads. The emerging candidacies from within Biya’s inner circle suggest growing restlessness within the political establishment and may mark the beginning of a significant transition after more than four decades of one-man rule.
