The declaration sparked a cold war within the CPDM with the party’s communications secretary, Prof Jacques Fame Ndongo declaring in a separate interview that the structure is 100% sure that President Paul Biya will be the party’s flagbearer during the forthcoming presidential polls.
In a high-stakes interview with Radio France Internationale, RFI, on July 7, 2025, Cameroon’s Minister of Communication and Government Spokesperson, René Emmanuel Sadi, provided the clearest, yet most ambiguous, hint so far about President Paul Biya’s political future. When asked whether the 92-year-old Head of State would seek another term in office during the October presidential election, Sadi replied: “It’s 50-50.” The statement, though cautiously diplomatic, has reignited the national debate about the possibility of a new Paul Biya candidacy.
Sadi, who also serves as a bureau member of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, CPDM, stressed that only the President himself can make that call and that he will do so “at the appropriate time.” “He [President Biya] will speak in his soul and conscience. He is a man of great wisdom and vision. And there could be a surprise, in one direction or another,” Sadi said during the interview with RFI journalist Christophe Boisbouvier. With only three months remaining before the crucial election, political parties across the spectrum have already declared their candidates, all except the CPDM.
This delay has fueled speculation and raised concerns, both within and outside the party, about internal indecision or strategic suspense. Sadi dismissed any sense of urgency or division, stating that the ruling party is well within legal timelines. “The CPDM is calm, organized, and confident. We know the provisions of the law, and we still have enough time to make our choice under the leadership of our national president, Paul Biya,” he affirmed. The Interview also touched on recent developments that have reshaped the pre-election landscape. The high-profile resignations of Bello Bouba Maïgari and Issa Tchiroma Bakary, both former government ministers and long-time political allies, marked a turning point.
The two men not only stepped down but also announced their intention to run for the presidency. When asked whether their departure weakens the CPDM’s electoral chances, Sadi acknowledged a shift but remained upbeat. “Yes, the competition might be a little tougher now, but the CPDM’s strength lies in its nationwide structure and experience. The party is tightening its ranks and will maintain its dominant position,” he said confidently. Issa Tchiroma, now a presidential hopeful, has been openly critical of President Biya’s leadership, alleging that the Head of State no longer actively governs.
Sadi rejected such claims outright, defending the President’s engagement despite his age. “It’s an apparent absence. The President is still the most informed man in Cameroon. At 92, it’s an enormous merit to continue following state matters. He has a phenomenal memory and still makes all the key decisions,” he asserted. Sadi also brushed off insinuations that Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, Secretary-General at the Presidency, is the de facto leader of the country. “He is a close collaborator, yes, but the President retains full authority and can override any decision when necessary,” Sadi maintained.
As the clock ticks toward election day, Sadi’s remarks offer both reassurance and suspense. The nation now awaits a decisive word from President Paul Biya himself, a word that could reshape Cameroon’s political destiny once again.
Jacques Fame Ndongo Declares President Paul Biya as CPDM Candidate for 2025 Elections
The Communication Secretary of the CPDM Central Committee, Professor Jacques Fame Ndongo, officially declared that President Paul Biya will be the party’s candidate for the October 2025 presidential elections. Speaking in an exclusive interview last evening on RFI Fame Ndongo, who is also Minister of State and Minister of Higher Education, affirmed that the CPDM has designated the incumbent head of state as its flagbearer, despite the absence of a party congress to formalize the selection. “Our statutes are clear. The National President of the CPDM is the candidate for the presidential election.
So, there is zero chance of another CPDM candidate in the October election,” Prof. Fame Ndongo stated on RFI. “To be the CPDM candidate in the presidential election, one must be the National President of the party.” President Paul Biya, aged 92 and in power since 1982, remains the National President of the CPDM, a position that, under party statutes, automatically makes him the candidate for the presidency. This announcement follows recent speculation and internal uncertainty about whether President Biya would run again, particularly after Minister of Communication René Emmanuel Sadi told RFI that the chances of Biya’s candidacy were “50-50.”
The declaration by Fame Ndongo now seems to put an end to weeks of debate within political circles and among citizens regarding Biya’s political future. However, the method of announcement, via an interview rather than a party congress or formal communiqué, is likely to spark further debate about internal party democracy and transparency within the CPDM.
