Cameroon’s 92-year-old President, Paul Biya, has been re-elected following the official announcement of results from the country’s 2025 presidential election, extending his more than four-decade rule by another seven years.
The Constitutional Council on Monday declared Biya the winner with 53.66 percent of the total votes, defeating his main challenger, Issa Tchiroma, who garnered 35.19 percent.
Although the election was held on October 12, the results were confirmed two weeks later amid rising political tensions.
Tchiroma, a long-time critic of Biya’s 43-year leadership, rejected the outcome, claiming he actually secured 54.8 percent of the votes. He accused the ruling party of manipulating the results and called on his supporters to engage in peaceful demonstrations, despite a government ban on public gatherings.
Tensions escalated over the weekend in Douala, the country’s commercial hub, where clashes erupted between opposition supporters and security forces.
The Littoral Regional Governor, Samuel Dieudonné Ivaha Diboua, confirmed that four people were killed during the unrest, while several security personnel sustained injuries.
“Four people unfortunately lost their lives,” Diboua said, adding that protesters allegedly attacked a gendarmerie brigade and two police stations.
With this victory, Biya—who first assumed power in 1982—will now begin his eighth consecutive term, further solidifying his position as one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.