Biya, 92, Wins 8th Term After 43 Years in Power
Veteran leader secures 53.66% of votes, extends decades-long rule
YAOUNDÉ – In a landmark yet controversial outcome, President Paul Biya, aged 92, has been re-elected for another seven-year term, extending his iron grip on Cameroon to more than four decades in power.
The Constitutional Council on Monday announced that Biya, candidate of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), won the October 12 presidential election with 53.66 percent of the total votes. His closest rival, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, trailed behind with 35.19 percent, while the remaining votes were shared among minor candidates.
Biya’s victory solidifies his position as one of Africa’s longest-serving and oldest leaders, having ruled since 1982. His new term will run until 2032, when he will be 99 years old.
Celebrations erupted among CPDM loyalists in Yaoundé, Douala, and other major cities following the announcement, with supporters describing the win as “a triumph of experience over uncertainty.”
However, the opposition condemned the results, citing alleged electoral malpractices, voter intimidation, and limited access to polling stations in conflict-hit regions. Several civil society groups and international observers also voiced concerns about transparency and the credibility of the process.
In his televised victory speech, President Biya thanked Cameroonians for their “continued trust” and vowed to “strengthen peace, unity, and national development.” He called on all citizens to put aside political differences and “work together for the progress of the nation.”
Despite his reassurances, analysts say the latest election underscores growing discontent among young Cameroonians yearning for change in a nation where two-thirds of the population is under 30 and has known no other leader but Biya.
Biya’s new term will test his government’s ability to navigate pressing challenges — from economic stagnation and separatist tensions in the Anglophone regions to calls for democratic reform and succession planning.
As the sun rises over Yaoundé, one thing remains clear: Cameroon’s aging leader has once again defied history, extending an era that has defined the nation for over four decades.