Cameroon’s long-serving leader, Paul Biya, has won a controversial eighth term in office at the age of 92, following a fiercely disputed presidential election that has plunged the country into unrest.
According to the Constitutional Council, Biya secured 53.7% of the vote, while his main challenger, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, garnered 35.2%. However, the opposition leader, a former Biya ally, rejected the results, insisting he was the rightful winner. The ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) dismissed his claim as baseless.
The October 12 election was overshadowed by deadly violence, protests, and widespread accusations of electoral malpractice. In the days leading up to the official results, hundreds of opposition supporters clashed with security forces in several cities despite government bans on demonstrations.
Following his victory, Biya expressed gratitude to Cameroonians for what he called their continued trust, pledging to “work together to build a peaceful, united, and prosperous Cameroon.”
But tensions remain high. On Sunday, at least four people were killed during protests in the economic capital, Douala, while on Monday, several others reportedly died near Tchiroma Bakary’s residence in Garoua. The opposition leader accused authorities of deploying snipers who fired on civilians gathered outside his home — a claim the government has yet to address.
In Yaoundé, the capital, most shops and schools remain closed amid fears of escalating violence. Residents have described the atmosphere as tense and uncertain.
“We are at the beginning of another nightmare,” said Amungwa Nicodemus, a resident of Yaoundé.
“The economy is declining, corruption is rampant, and a lot is going wrong.”
Another citizen, Abolo Denis, urged calm, saying peace should take precedence over politics, while Vivian Muma in Bamenda described the public reaction as “graveyard silence,” suggesting widespread disillusionment.
In total, 10 candidates contested the election, with voter turnout reaching 58%. At least 10 petitions challenging the results were rejected by the Constitutional Council.
Biya, who first took office in 1982, is now the world’s oldest head of state and one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. Though credited with expanding education and peacefully resolving the Bakassi Peninsula dispute with Nigeria, his rule has been marked by corruption, economic hardship, and repression.
A separatist insurgency in the English-speaking regions continues to destabilize the west of the country, while youth unemployment hovers around 40%. Many fear the president’s renewed mandate could deepen Cameroon’s political and social divides.
Analysts have raised concerns about Biya’s legitimacy, warning of further unrest.
“Biya now has a notably shaky mandate, given that many of his own citizens don’t believe he won the election,” said Murithi Mutiga, Africa Program Director at the International Crisis Group.
“We call on Biya to urgently initiate national dialogue to prevent further escalation.”
Headline Image Caption:
Cameroon’s President Paul Biya celebrates his eighth term victory amid rising unrest and growing public discontent.