ChronoCite

Public figure timelines

Paul Biya — Jalal OUASSOU · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source

Figure timeline

Paul Biya

Paul Barthélemy Biya is a Cameroonian politician who has been serving as the second president of Cameroon since 1982. He was previously the fifth prime minister under President Ahmadou Ahidjo from 1975 to 1982. Widely considered to be a dictator, Biya is the second-longest-ruling president in Africa and the longest consecutively serving current non-royal national leader in the world; at the age of…

Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

politics · President of Cameroon since 1982 · politician · minister · also Paul Biya, Paul Biya Bi Mvondo, Paul Barthélemy Biya'a bi Mvondo, Biya

Born 13 February 1933 · Q57272

Wikipedia Wikiquote RSS

38 published statements · 0 followers

See & hear

Photos & media

10 photos

Media from Wikimedia Commons, hotlinked at the source under its own licence — see each file for author and terms.

Live now

In the news

Pulling headlines from trusted outlets — this usually takes a few seconds

Checking the wires…

Feed scan

These are live links, not archived citations — they only join the timeline once a collect run verifies and archives them.

Live pulse

Recent highlights

Most recent outstanding titles, awards, and quotes

Jun 2016Award
Awarded Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (2016).
84%WikipediaSource Permalink
Jan 1996Milestone
Career landmark: chairperson of the Organisation of African Unity (1996–1997).
84%WikipediaSource Permalink

2026· 4 entries

Aug 6, 2026Documented record69% confidence

Africanews: Concern mounts in Cameroon over Biya’s prolonged absence

AfricanewsModerate-trust source1 sourceLive source Archived

#news
#headline

Aug 5, 2026Documented record69% confidence

The Africa Report: Cameroon: What to know about Biya’s latest military reshuffle

The Africa ReportModerate-trust source1 sourceLive source Archived

#news
#headline

Aug 2, 2026Documented record69% confidence

Al Bawaba: Where's Cameroonian President? Paul Biya absent for 54 days

Al BawabaModerate-trust source1 sourceLive source Archived

#news
#headline

2026Source gives the year onlyDocumented record72% confidence

As of 2026, Biya is the longest serving non-royal head of state, having been in power since 6 November 1982.

WikipediaTrusted source1 sourceLive source Archived

Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

#wikipedia
#life
#health

2025· 10 entries

Nov 19, 2025Documented record76% confidence

Published video “Coopération Cameroun - Guinée Equatoriale : la relation se renforce !”.

YouTubeTrusted source1 sourceLive sourceNo archive

#social
#youtube
#self-published

Oct 7, 2025Documented record76% confidence

Published video “TOUJOURS PARÉE, MAROUA, LE JOUR D'AVANT”.

YouTubeTrusted source1 sourceLive sourceNo archive

#social
#youtube
#self-published

Oct 4, 2025Documented record76% confidence

Published video “Pour l’épanouissement des femmes et des jeunes”.

YouTubeTrusted source1 sourceLive sourceNo archive

#social
#youtube
#self-published

Oct 4, 2025Documented record76% confidence

Published video “Empowering women and young people.”.

YouTubeTrusted source1 sourceLive sourceNo archive

#social
#youtube
#self-published

Oct 4, 2025Documented record76% confidence

Published video “Pour l’amélioration de l’offre des services sociaux et des services de base.”.

YouTubeTrusted source1 sourceLive sourceNo archive

#social
#youtube
#self-published

Oct 4, 2025Documented record76% confidence

Published video “Improving the provision of social services as well as basic services.”.

YouTubeTrusted source1 sourceLive sourceNo archive

#social
#youtube
#self-published

Oct 4, 2025Documented record76% confidence

Published video “Renforcement de la modernisation de notre modèle éducatif”.

YouTubeTrusted source1 sourceLive sourceNo archive

#social
#youtube
#self-published

Oct 4, 2025Documented record76% confidence

Published video “Ensure that the modernisation of our education system is stepped up”.

YouTubeTrusted source1 sourceLive sourceNo archive

#social
#youtube
#self-published

Oct 4, 2025Documented record76% confidence

Published video “faciliter l’accès aux logements sociaux pour les mères isolées et les familles vulnérables”.

YouTubeTrusted source1 sourceLive sourceNo archive

#social
#youtube
#self-published

Oct 4, 2025Documented record76% confidence

Published video “Facilitate access to social housing for single mothers and vulnerable families”.

YouTubeTrusted source1 sourceLive sourceNo archive

#social
#youtube
#self-published

2024· 1 entry

Oct 22, 2024Documented record69% confidence

The Africa Report: Paul Biya’s return to Yaoundé – the inside story

The Africa ReportModerate-trust source1 sourceLive source Archived

#news
#headline

2017· 1 entry

2017Source gives the year onlyDocumented record66% confidence

The National Commission for Human Rights and Freedoms embarked on a fact-finding mission in Buea to investigate allegations of human rights abuses in the region

WikipediaTrusted source1 sourceLive source Archived

Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

#wikipedia
#event

2016· 2 entries

Jun 15, 2016Documented record84% confidence

Awarded Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (2016).

WikipediaTrusted source1 sourceLive source Archived

Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

#wikidata
#award
#achievement

2016Source gives the year onlyDocumented record70% confidence

Cameroonians in the nation's capital city of Yaoundé criticized Biya's reaction to the country's worst train crash in which 79 people died

WikipediaTrusted source1 sourceLive source Archived

Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

#wikipedia
#event

2015· 1 entry

2015Source gives the year onlyDocumented record66% confidence

The Cameroonian government reported that "a few tens of kilometres remain[ed] a stumbling block" in finalising the land boundary

WikipediaTrusted source1 sourceLive source Archived

Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

#wikipedia
#event

2009· 2 entries

2009Source gives the year onlyDocumented record70% confidence

Biya was ranked 19th in Parade Magazine's Top 20 list of "The World's Worst Dictators"

WikipediaTrusted source1 sourceLive source Archived

Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

#wikipedia
#event

2009Source gives the year onlyDocumented record66% confidence

His holiday in France allegedly cost $40,000 a day spent on 43 hotel rooms

WikipediaTrusted source1 sourceLive source Archived

Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

#wikipedia
#event

2006· 1 entry

2006Source gives the year onlyDocumented record66% confidence

And Hu Jintao's visit to Cameroon in 2007

WikipediaTrusted source1 sourceLive source Archived

Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

#wikipedia
#event

2004· 2 entries

2004Source gives the year onlyDocumented record70% confidence

Biya was barred by a two-term limit in the 1996 Constitution from running for president again in 2011; however, he sought to revise this, to allow him to run again

WikipediaTrusted source1 sourceLive source Archived

Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

#wikipedia
#event

2004Source gives the year onlyDocumented record66% confidence

Annoyed by the criticisms of international vote-monitoring groups, he paid for his own set of international observers, six ex-U

WikipediaTrusted source1 sourceLive source Archived

Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

#wikipedia
#event

1996· 1 entry

Jan 1, 1996Documented record84% confidence

Career landmark: chairperson of the Organisation of African Unity (1996–1997).

WikipediaTrusted source1 sourceLive source Archived

Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

#wikidata
#milestone

1994· 1 entry

1994Source gives the year onlyDocumented record72% confidence

Paul Biya married Chantal Vigouroux, who is 36 years his junior, on 23 April 1994, and has two more children with her: Paul Jr and Brenda Biya.

WikipediaTrusted source1 sourceLive source Archived

Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

#wikipedia
#life
#personal-life

1992· 1 entry

1992Source gives the year onlyDocumented record72% confidence

Jeanne-Irène Biya died on 29 July 1992 after a short illness while Paul Biya was attending a conference abroad.

WikipediaTrusted source1 sourceLive source Archived

Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

#wikipedia
#life
#personal-life

1986· 1 entry

1986Source gives the year onlyDocumented record66% confidence

After a 13-year lapse due to the Yom Kippur War, making Cameroon one of the first African states to restore relations

WikipediaTrusted source1 sourceLive source Archived

Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

#wikipedia
#event

1985· 1 entry

1985Source gives the year onlyDocumented record70% confidence

The CNU was transformed into the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement, in Bamenda and Biya was unlawfully elected as its president

WikipediaTrusted source1 sourceLive source Archived

Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

#wikipedia
#event

1982· 3 entries

1982Source gives the year onlyDocumented record66% confidence

And consolidated power after an attempted coup in 1984, eliminating his major rivals

WikipediaTrusted source1 sourceLive source Archived

Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

#wikipedia
#event

1982Source gives the year onlyDocumented record70% confidence

When Ahidjo was replaced by his prime minister, Biya

WikipediaTrusted source1 sourceLive source Archived

Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

#wikipedia
#event

Jan 1, 1982Documented record84% confidence

Career landmark: President of Cameroon (1982).

WikipediaTrusted source1 sourceLive source Archived

Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

#wikidata
#milestone

1981· 1 entry

Jun 15, 1981Documented record84% confidence

Awarded Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic (1981).

WikipediaTrusted source1 sourceLive source Archived

Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

#wikidata
#award
#achievement

1975· 1 entry

Jan 1, 1975Documented record84% confidence

Career landmark: Prime Minister of Cameroon (1975–1982).

WikipediaTrusted source1 sourceLive source Archived

Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

#wikidata
#milestone

1972· 1 entry

1972Source gives the year onlyDocumented record70% confidence

Biya was appointed prime minister by President Ahidjo on 30 June 1975

WikipediaTrusted source1 sourceLive source Archived

Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

#wikipedia
#event

1961· 2 entries

1961Source gives the year onlyDocumented record70% confidence

Married Jeanne-Irène Biya, who did not have any children, though she adopted Franck Biya, who had been born in 1971 from a relationship between Biya and Jeanne-Irène's sister or niece

WikipediaTrusted source1 sourceLive source Archived

Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

#wikipedia
#event

1961Source gives the year onlyDocumented record66% confidence

With a higher education diploma in public law

WikipediaTrusted source1 sourceLive source Archived

Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

#wikipedia
#event

1933· 1 entry

Feb 13, 1933Documented record86% confidence

Born 1933-02-13.

WikipediaTrusted source1 sourceLive source Archived

Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

#wikidata
#birth

Paul Biya — ChronoCite timeline | ChronoCite