Cameroon’s President Paul Biya has been declared winner of the country’s hotly contested presidential election, extending his rule into a fifth decade.
The Constitutional Council announced Biya’s victory on Monday, confirming that the 92-year-old secured 53.66 percent of the votes cast, while his closest rival, Issa Tchiroma, garnered 35.19 percent.
With this victory, Biya will now serve his eighth consecutive term in office, governing till 2032 by which time he will be almost 100 years old. The result cements his position as the world’s oldest serving president, further extending his 42-year rule since first assuming office in 1982.
Tchiroma, 76, a former spokesperson for Biya, had earlier claimed victory and called on Cameroonians to resist what he described as “falsified and distorted results.” In the days leading to the official announcement, large-scale protests erupted across the country, largely fueled by Tchiroma’s directive to his supporters.
At least four people were reported killed in violent clashes with security forces in Douala, Cameroon’s commercial hub, while more than 100 demonstrators were arrested.
Despite the widespread unrest, Biya appeared calm during the October 12 polls. After casting his vote, he told reporters, “Nothing is given. Let’s wait and see. Let’s wait for the name of the winner.”
His victory, however, has deepened political tensions and raised fears of further instability in the Central African nation, where opposition groups and civic movements have long called for democratic reforms and leadership renewal.
Biya, often criticized for his long absences from the country many of which he reportedly spends in luxury Swiss hotels has maintained a tight grip on power. His advanced age and recurring death rumours have frequently dominated public discourse, but he continues to defy expectations.
Coming to power in 1982, Biya is now the second longest-serving president in the world, just behind President Teodoro Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, who has ruled since 1979.
As Biya prepares to embark on another seven-year term, analysts warn that Cameroon could face mounting unrest if political grievances remain unaddressed.
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