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Cameroon’s President Paul Biya said on Tuesday evening that there would be a “slight readjustment” to the timing of legislative and municipal elections that had been expected in early February.
The polls, initially planned for 2025, had already been delayed once to early 2026. No fresh date was announced.
Speaking in a televised address to mark the country’s 60th Youth Day — one of his rare public appearances — the nearly 93-year-old leader explained the delay by pointing to “certain compelling constraints”. He also assured citizens that “the relevant provisions of the laws, and particularly the Constitution, would be respected”.
FILE PHOTO: President of Cameroon Paul Biya with Chinese President Xi Jinping (not pictured) attend a signing ceremony at The Great Hall Of The People in Beijing, China, March 22, 2018. Lintao Zhang/Pool via Reuters/File Photo.
Biya reiterated his plan to appoint a new government, following his declaration in his New Year’s Eve speech that the existing administration had been dissolved.
During his remarks, the president recognised the challenges many young Cameroonians face in securing employment. At the same time, he urged them to steer clear of “delinquency, alcohol abuse drug use, and excessive use of social media”.
Youth Day remains one of the few occasions when the president speaks directly to the nation.
Biya, the world’s oldest serving head of state, has ruled Cameroon since 1982. His re-election in October for an eighth term triggered protests that were met with a forceful crackdown.
