YAOUNDÉ — Cameroon’s 92-year-old President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest head of state, is seeing longtime allies turn rivals as the October election nears, threatening his 42-year grip on power.

Two senior figures from the pro-government north, Employment Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary and State Minister Bello Bouba Maigari, resigned and declared their presidential bids last week. Both previously ran against Biya in 1992 before aligning with him for decades.

The government downplayed the defections, calling them “classic political moves” in a democracy, and Biya has yet to confirm if he’ll seek re-election, though he remains the ruling party’s automatic candidate.

Biya’s rare public appearances have fueled speculation over his health, while rising poverty, economic hardship, and social media outcry have spurred demands for change. Critics accuse Tchiroma and Maigari of being “puppets” to divide opposition and weaken frontrunner Maurice Kamto of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement — a charge they deny.

Analysts warn Biya’s traditional elite alliances may no longer sway voters amid growing frustration. “It will be harder to stop a nationwide movement for change,” said opposition leader Anicet Ekane.

Biya insists he remains determined to serve and urged citizens to reject “sirens of chaos.”