Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest serving leader, has won an eighth term in office, according to official results announced by the Constitutional Council on Monday.
Announcing the results, the President of the Constitutional Council, Clement Atangana, said; “Paul Biya is hereby declared elected President of the Republic, having obtained the majority of the votes cast.”
The 92-year-old leader secured 53.66 percent of the votes to defeat his main challenger and former ally, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who polled 35.19 percent in the October 12 presidential election.
The victory extends President Biya’s four-decade rule and could keep him in power until he is nearly 100 years old.
However, the declaration of results has sparked fresh tension across the country, with reports of protests and clashes between opposition supporters and security forces.
Opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma alleged on social media that two people were killed after gunfire erupted near his residence in Garoua, northern Cameroon, shortly after the announcement. He did not specify who was responsible for the shooting.
He had claimed victory in the election and vowed not to accept any other result. At least four people were reported dead in Douala, the nation’s commercial capital, a day before the final results were released following confrontations between protesters and security operatives.
Tchiroma, a former government spokesperson and employment minister in his late seventies, broke away from Biya earlier this year and ran with the support of several opposition parties and civic groups.
Political analysts say the result could deepen public discontent. Francois Conradie, Lead Political Economist at Oxford Economics, noted that the government faces “a notably shaky mandate,” while Murithi Mutiga, Africa Programme Director at the International Crisis Group, called on President Biya to initiate national dialogue to prevent further escalation.
President Biya, who has been in power since 1982, removed term limits in 2008 and has consistently won re-election with wide margins.
The situation remains tense as international observers and local stakeholders call for restraint and peaceful resolution of post-election disputes.
Reuters/Oyenike Oyeniyi