Cameroon’s veteran leader, President Paul Biya, has secured another seven-year term in office at the age of 92, extending his remarkable 43-year hold on power.
The country’s Constitutional Council on Monday declared Biya the official winner of the October 12 presidential election with 53.66% of the total votes cast. His main challenger, Issa Tchiroma, followed with 35.19%, according to the official results.
Tchiroma had earlier rejected the outcome, claiming victory and alleging widespread irregularities. However, the Council’s pronouncement has now affirmed Biya’s continued leadership — a position he has held since 1982.
With this latest victory, Biya remains one of the world’s longest-serving presidents, maintaining his grip on power despite mounting domestic and international pressure for democratic transition.
The announcement has triggered mixed reactions across Cameroon. While supporters hailed Biya’s re-election as a symbol of stability and continuity, opposition figures and civil society groups condemned it as another setback for political change in the Central African nation.
Observers say the outcome further cements Biya’s legacy as one of Africa’s most enduring political figures — a leader whose reign has outlasted generations of rivals and spanned decades of shifting global politics.
It is not about Paul Biya now. The problem with the country now is how to contend with his numerouse leftist loyalist whom I believe are now acting on the very oath of allegiance they all took. The man knows he is tired snd can not leave office based on the evil oath he made with his loyalists. Except he die on that seat. If he is forced out of that office in a matter of months they will start dieing. Same thing is happening in Nigeria too.