Keypoints:
- Deadly election protests erupt
- Opposition contests official results
- Biya extends four-decade rule
CAMEROON’S President Paul Biya has been officially declared winner of the country’s latest presidential election, securing an unprecedented eighth term that could keep the nonagenarian leader in power well into his late nineties. The announcement was made on Monday by the Constitutional Council.
Clement Atangana, president of the Constitutional Council, delivered the final ruling in Yaoundé, proclaiming: ‘Hereby proclaimed President-elect: the candidate Biya Paul.’ The decision reaffirms Biya’s forty-three-year hold on the presidency, making him one of the world’s longest-serving heads of state.
Rising tension as results confirmed
The Council confirmed that Biya, aged 92, received 53.66 percent of the vote, placing him ahead of his main challenger, Issa Tchiroma Bakary. The former communications minister secured 39.19 percent, consolidating a strong showing but not enough to force a second round.
Bakary, however, rejected the official tally. The opposition figure has already claimed victory, alleging irregularities across several polling stations and accusing state institutions of bias. He called on supporters to protest in Douala on Sunday, sparking clashes with security forces.
Local reports indicate at least four civilians were killed during confrontations that involved tear gas, rubber bullets, and the deployment of anti-riot police. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as demonstrators attempted to block main roads and set up makeshift barricades in several neighbourhoods.
Rights groups have condemned the level of force used, urging authorities to guarantee the right to peaceful assembly. The government maintains that police intervened to prevent what it described as ‘unauthorised disturbances’.
Decades of uninterrupted power
Biya first assumed office in 1982, inheriting leadership during a period of Cold War tension. Since then, he has built a political system that critics argue blends patronage networks with tight control of state institutions. A key shift came in 2008, when constitutional amendments abolished presidential term limits — changes widely perceived as cementing his long-term rule.
Successive election cycles have been marred by accusations of fraud, media restrictions, and limited access for opposition candidates. Despite this, the government insists that each vote reflects Cameroonians’ desire for stability in a region affected by insurgencies and economic uncertainty.
Supporters argue that Biya has steered the country through turbulent periods, including Boko Haram incursions in the Far North and separatist tensions in the anglophone regions. Critics counter that persistent unemployment and widening inequality undermine claims of progress.
International reaction cautious
Regional observers from the African Union acknowledged logistical challenges but concluded that the vote proceeded peacefully in most areas. Western embassies released carefully worded statements calling for restraint and dialogue while urging authorities to investigate reports of excessive force.
Analysts warn that post-election unrest could intensify if grievances are not addressed. Political analyst Njanga Mokube told local media that prolonged uncertainty ‘risks eroding public confidence in institutions’, adding that the opposition is unlikely to abandon its challenge quickly.
Looking ahead
Bakary has vowed to pursue legal action, including appeals to constitutional bodies and international partners. He has also hinted at additional demonstrations, prompting security reinforcements in Douala, Yaoundé, and Bafoussam.
Concerns surrounding succession persist, given Biya’s age and declining public visibility. Observers say attention will shift toward internal party manoeuvring and potential policy continuity.
For now, Cameroon remains on edge — its political future tied to an ageing leader whose mandate has once again been renewed at a moment of heightened national tension.
