Cameroon’s long-time leader, Paul Biya, has been declared the winner of the 2025 presidential election, securing an eighth term in office at the age of 92. The Constitutional Council announced on Monday that Biya won 53.66 percent of the vote in the October 12 election, defeating his main challenger, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who officially received about 35 percent. The results have sparked widespread controversy and unrest, with opposition parties rejecting the outcome and alleging massive electoral fraud and manipulation by state institutions.
Across several major cities including Yaoundé, Douala, and Garoua, opposition supporters have taken to the streets to protest what they describe as a stolen election. Reports from Reuters, AP, and The Guardian indicate that security forces have clashed with demonstrators, leading to arrests and injuries, while some human rights groups claim that at least a few people have been killed during the protests. The government has defended the actions of security forces, saying they are working to maintain public order.
Biya, who has ruled Cameroon since 1982, is now the world’s oldest serving head of state. His nearly 43 years in power have been marked by both political stability and accusations of authoritarianism. Over the years, he has eliminated presidential term limits and consolidated control over key institutions, including the judiciary and the military. Critics argue that this election was neither free nor fair, pointing to reports of restricted campaigning, limited media freedom, and alleged ballot stuffing.
International reactions have been cautious. Western observers have expressed concern about the lack of transparency in the electoral process and the heavy-handed response to protests, while some African leaders have congratulated Biya on his victory. Opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary has refused to concede, declaring that he will continue to challenge the result both domestically and internationally.
The election comes at a time when Cameroon faces multiple crises, including ongoing separatist conflict in the Anglophone regions, economic stagnation, and growing youth unemployment. Analysts warn that Biya’s continued rule could deepen divisions and fuel instability if dialogue with the opposition and civil society is not initiated soon.
For now, Biya remains firmly in control, backed by loyal security forces and a political establishment that has known no other leader for over four decades. As the 92-year-old president prepares to be sworn in once again, many Cameroonians are left wondering what the future holds for their country — and whether a peaceful transition of power will ever become a reality.
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