By : Chinasaokwu Helen Okoro
Paul Biya Wins Disputed Cameroon Election, Extends 43-Year Rule Into Eighth Term at 92
Cameroon’s long-serving leader, Paul Biya, has been declared the winner of the country’s fiercely contested presidential election, securing an unprecedented eighth consecutive term in office at the age of 92. The announcement by the Constitutional Council late Sunday evening has ignited protests and deepened political divisions in the Central African nation.
According to official results, Biya, who has ruled Cameroon since 1982, won with a commanding margin over his closest rival, opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary. However, opposition parties and civil society groups have dismissed the results as fraudulent, alleging widespread vote rigging, ballot stuffing, and intimidation of election observers.
“This is not the will of the people,” Bakary declared during a press conference in Yaoundé shortly after the results were announced. “Cameroonians voted for change, but what we have witnessed is yet another manipulation of the people’s voice by a regime that refuses to relinquish power.”
Tensions have escalated rapidly since the declaration. In Douala, Cameroon’s commercial hub, clashes erupted between security forces and demonstrators defying a government ban on protests. Local media reported that at least four people were killed and several others injured as police fired tear gas and live bullets to disperse crowds. In Bamenda, the capital of the troubled English-speaking Northwest Region, streets were eerily silent as residents stayed indoors, fearing a resurgence of violence.
The election, held earlier this month, was marred by reports of irregularities and low voter turnout, particularly in the Anglophone regions, where separatist conflict has raged for nearly a decade. Armed groups in these areas had vowed to disrupt the polls, calling for an independent state of “Ambazonia.” Many polling stations in the region were either closed or deserted, further calling into question the credibility of the process.
Despite these controversies, the Constitutional Council insisted that the election was conducted in accordance with the law. “The results reflect the sovereign will of the Cameroonian people,” declared Council President Clément Atangana. “All complaints submitted by opposition parties have been duly reviewed and dismissed for lack of evidence.”
Biya’s re-election cements his position as one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders and the world’s oldest head of state. Having first taken power in a peaceful transition more than four decades ago, he has since maintained an iron grip over the country’s political and military institutions. Critics accuse his administration of stifling dissent, curbing press freedom, and using state resources to maintain control.
During the campaign, Biya made only a single public appearance — a carefully orchestrated rally in Yaoundé, where he told supporters that “the best is still to come.” His renewed seven-year mandate means he could remain in office until 2032, by which time he would be approaching 100 years old.
International reactions have been mixed. While France and China, Cameroon’s key allies, congratulated Biya on his victory, the United States and the European Union have called for transparency and urged the government to open dialogue with opposition forces. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have warned of a deteriorating human rights situation and urged authorities to refrain from excessive use of force against protesters.
As Biya prepares to begin yet another term, uncertainty looms over Cameroon’s future. The country faces growing economic challenges, persistent separatist violence, and rising youth unemployment. Many Cameroonians, especially the younger generation, have never known another leader.
“This victory may secure Biya’s legacy,” said political analyst Jean-Pierre Mvondo, “but it also exposes the fragility of Cameroon’s democracy. Without meaningful reform, the risk of deeper instability will only grow.”
For now, as the streets of Yaoundé fill with both celebration
About The Author
Leave a comment