Controversial Eighth Term Win for Cameroon’s 92-Year-Old President

Sun Nov 30 2025 23:48:42 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Paul Biya, Cameroon's aging president, has won a disputed eighth term amid violent protests and allegations of electoral malpractices.

In recent elections, Cameroon's 92-year-old president, Paul Biya, claimed victory with 53.7% of the vote. The election has been surrounded by violence, with protests leading to casualties. Opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary contests the results, asserting he won and accusing the ruling party of attempting to steal victory. The situation remains tense as Biya calls for national unity while facing criticisms over governance and civil unrest.

Cameroon's 92-year-old president has won a controversial eighth term, in a fiercely disputed election.

Paul Biya, who is the world's oldest head of state, won 53.7% of the vote, compared to the 35.2% of opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary, the Constitutional Council declared.

Before the announcement, Tchiroma Bakary - a former Biya ally - insisted he had won the election, but the ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM) dismissed his claim.

The election, held on 12 October, has been marred with deadly violence, and in recent days, hundreds of Tchiroma Bakary's supporters have defied protest bans in several cities, and clashed with security forces.

Biya thanked voters for 'once again' trusting him.

I sincerely hope that, together, we resolutely undertake to build a peaceful, united and prosperous Cameroon, he stated.

On Sunday, at least four people were killed during protests in Cameroon's economic capital of Douala.

The regional governor, Samuel Dieudonné Diboua, mentioned that police posts had come under attack and security forces had defended themselves.

The unrest continued on Monday, when a number of people were shot dead near Tchiroma Bakary's residence in the city of Garoua, as confirmed by a local journalist.

At the same time, Tchiroma Bakary reported on Facebook that shots were being fired at civilians outside his home, alleging that snipers were targeting people at close range.

Protesters expressed their anger over what they claimed was a scheme to 'steal the victory' from Tchiroma Bakary.

The tense atmosphere in Yaoundé saw shops and schools closed, with many civil servants choosing to stay home.

The governing party celebrated Biya's victory in a bid to instill hope among supporters. Having governed since 1982, Biya is known for his long absences from public life, often spending significant time abroad.

His leadership has faced severe criticisms due to a prolonged separatist insurrection, a staggering youth unemployment rate, and limited freedom of speech.

Analysts warned that without addressing the concerns surrounding the election results, Cameroon may spiral into deeper unrest. The recent feedback from citizens reveals a deep-seated frustration with the ruling regime, further complicating Biya's already precarious mandate.