Cameroon’s Constitutional Council has declared 92-year-old President Paul Biya the winner of the country’s presidential election, extending his decades-long rule for an eighth consecutive term. Official results announced showed Biya receiving 53.66 percent of the vote, while his main challenger, former government minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary, garnered 35.19 percent.
Biya, who first took office in 1982, is the world’s oldest head of state and one of the longest-serving leaders globally. He has maintained a tight grip on power for 43 years, having removed presidential term limits in 2008. His latest victory could keep him in office until he’s nearly 100.
Tchiroma, a former government spokesperson and employment minister in his late seventies, had declared victory before the official announcement, citing preliminary results collected by his team. He later alleged that gunfire targeted civilians gathered near his home in the northern city of Garoua following the official results.
In Cameroon’s economic hub of Douala, protests erupted soon after the declaration, with demonstrators setting up barricades and clashing with security forces. At least four people were reported killed as armed troops were deployed across several districts to quell unrest. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as fires broke out and live ammunition was used.
The election outcome, though widely anticipated, has deepened public frustration in a nation where Biya’s extended absences abroad and closed style of governance have long drawn criticism. Analysts noted that Biya’s administration has maintained political stability despite regional tensions, but growing discontent signals mounting pressure on his government.
Biya’s re-election underscores the enduring dominance of his Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement but also exposes the challenges of sustaining legitimacy amid unrest and demands for change.
