92-year-old leader wins with 53.7 percent amid opposition unrest
Cameroon’s long-serving President, Paul Biya, has been re-elected for an eighth consecutive term, extending his more than four-decade rule over the Central African nation.
Official results announced by the Constitutional Council on Monday confirmed that Biya, aged 92, secured 53.7 percent of the vote in the presidential election held on October 12, 2025.
His main challenger, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a former government minister, came second with 35.2 percent, according to the council’s announcement. The remaining votes were split among minor candidates.
Opposition disputes results, claims victory
The election outcome has been met with strong opposition from Bakary and his supporters, who insist that the official results do not reflect the will of the people. Two days after the polls, Bakary declared himself the winner, claiming to have received 54.8 percent of the vote, compared to Biya’s alleged 31.3 percent.
Following his self-declaration, the opposition leader called for nationwide demonstrations to protest what he described as “massive electoral fraud.” In response, security forces were deployed across major cities, particularly in Douala, Cameroon’s economic capital, where tensions escalated over the weekend.
Four killed in post-election clashes in Douala
According to Samuel Dieudonné Ivaha Diboua, the Governor of the Littoral region, four people were killed on Sunday in violent confrontations between opposition supporters and security forces in Douala.
Eyewitnesses and local journalists reported that the protests began peacefully but quickly turned chaotic after security agents intervened. “They started with tear gas, then we heard gunshots,” one protester told AFP. Several people were also reported injured, with shops and vehicles damaged in the ensuing clashes.
Human rights groups have condemned the use of “excessive force” by security personnel, calling for an independent investigation into the incidents.
Analysts say Biya’s victory was expected
Despite the post-election tension, most political analysts had predicted a Biya victory, given his long-standing grip on Cameroon’s political system. Biya, who first assumed office in 1982, is now the world’s oldest serving head of state and one of Africa’s longest-reigning leaders.
“Biya has built a system where the institutions are tightly aligned with his rule,” said a political analyst based in Yaoundé. “His re-election was almost certain, given the political and administrative machinery supporting him.”
Critics, however, argue that the electoral process in Cameroon lacks transparency. They accuse the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) of manipulating electoral institutions, limiting opposition activities, and restricting press freedom.
A legacy of power and control
Since succeeding Cameroon’s first president, Ahmadou Ahidjo, in 1982, Paul Biya has maintained firm control over the country through what observers describe as a mix of authoritarian governance and strategic political survival.
Under his leadership, Cameroon has experienced repeated political repression, economic inequality, and ongoing separatist conflicts, particularly in the Anglophone regions of the northwest and southwest.
Despite widespread criticism, Biya has managed to retain loyalty from key military and political elites, ensuring his dominance for more than four decades. Supporters credit him with maintaining relative stability in a volatile region, while detractors accuse him of ruling through fear and silencing dissent.
Calls for political reform and dialogue
International observers and civil society organizations have renewed calls for political reforms in Cameroon following Biya’s re-election. Many have urged the government to promote inclusive governance and initiate dialogue with opposition groups and separatist movements.
“The ongoing unrest shows that a large segment of the population feels excluded from the political process,” said one civil rights advocate in Douala. “Cameroon’s democracy can only advance through dialogue, not repression.”
Meanwhile, the Constitutional Council has dismissed all petitions challenging the election results, declaring Biya the legitimate winner. The Council emphasized that it found no substantial evidence of irregularities sufficient to overturn the outcome.
A nation divided but watching
As Paul Biya prepares to begin another seven-year term, Cameroonians remain divided about the future. While his supporters celebrate what they call “continuity and stability,” opposition voices continue to demand change and greater accountability.
For many citizens, the election reflects both the enduring strength and deep fragility of Cameroon’s political landscape — a nation torn between the legacy of an aging ruler and the growing desire for democratic renewal.
