YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon — President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest sitting head of state at 92, has been re-elected for an eighth term, extending his four-decade rule over the Central African nation.
The Constitutional Council announced the official results on Monday, declaring Biya the winner of the October 12 presidential election. “Hereby proclaimed President-elect: the candidate Biya Paul,” said Clement Atangana, president of the council.
Biya, who first took office in 1982, has maintained a firm grip on power, eliminating presidential term limits in 2008 and consistently winning re-election by wide margins. His latest victory could keep him in office until nearly 100 years old.
His main challenger this year was Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a former government spokesperson and employment minister in his late 70s. Bakary broke ranks with Biya earlier this year and ran a spirited campaign that drew large crowds and endorsements from a coalition of opposition parties and civic groups.
Bakary rejected the results, calling them “a betrayal of the people’s will” and urging supporters to remain peaceful but vigilant. “We will not recognize a victory built on manipulation and fear,” he said in a televised statement.
Civil society groups expressed concern over the credibility of the vote, citing reports of irregularities and voter intimidation. “This election lacked transparency and failed to meet democratic standards,” said a spokesperson for Cameroon’s Human Rights Network.
International observers offered mixed reactions. While some praised the peaceful conduct of the vote, others questioned the fairness of the process. A European Union monitoring team noted “limited access for opposition voices” and “concerns over media freedom.”
Supporters of Biya celebrated the announcement in Yaoundé, waving flags and chanting slogans in favor of continuity and stability. Government officials hailed the result as a reaffirmation of Biya’s leadership and experience.
With this victory, Biya is set to remain in power until 2032, raising fresh questions about succession, governance, and the future of democracy in Cameroon.
