Cameroon’s long-serving President, Paul Biya, has been declared winner of the country’s presidential election, securing a record eighth consecutive term in office.
The Constitutional Council announced the official results on Monday, confirmed that the 92-year-old leader won 53.66 percent of the votes cast, defeating his closest challenger, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who garnered 35.19 percent.
“Hereby proclaimed President-elect: the candidate Biya Paul,” announced Clement Atangana, President of the Constitutional Council, while declaring the final results in Yaoundé.
The election, held on October 12, 2025, extended Biya’s rule to more than 43 years, making him one of the world’s longest-serving leaders. His new seven-year mandate will keep him in power until 2032, when he will be approaching 100 years of age.
However, the poll was marred by widespread allegations of vote manipulation and irregularities. Opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary rejected the outcome, insisting he actually won the election with 54.8 percent of the vote. He urged Cameroonians to “stand up peacefully against falsified results.”
Tensions escalated ahead of the official announcement, as protests erupted in Douala, Cameroon’s commercial hub. Clashes between demonstrators and security forces reportedly left at least four people dead and more than 100 arrested.
Biya, who first came to power in 1982, has long been accused by critics of entrenching authoritarian rule, while his supporters credit him with maintaining stability in the Central African nation.
Despite mounting domestic frustration and international concern about democratic decline, Biya remained firmly in control of Cameroon’s political establishment. His party, the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), continue to dominate the political landscape.
