92-Year-Old Paul Biya Wins Controversial Eighth Term As Cameroon’s Leader

Paul Biya Secures Eighth Term Amid Controversy and Unrest in Cameroon

Cameroon’s long-serving president, Paul Biya, has officially been re-elected for an eighth term at the age of 92, according to results announced by the country’s Constitutional Council on October 27, 2025.

Biya, who has ruled Cameroon since 1982 and is now the world’s oldest serving head of state, secured 53.7 percent of the vote in the October 12 presidential election. His closest rival, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a former government minister, garnered 35.2 percent, although he has publicly disputed the results.

The election was marred by significant controversy and unrest. Tchiroma declared victory just two days after the vote, claiming he had won 54.8 percent of the ballots compared to Biya’s alleged 31.3 percent. His supporters took to the streets in protest, defying a government ban on public gatherings.

Demonstrations escalated in major cities such as Douala and Garoua, where clashes between protesters and security forces led to the deaths of at least four individuals.

Protesters accused the authorities of using live ammunition after initially deploying tear gas, with eyewitnesses reporting fatalities and showing journalists bullet casings collected from the scene.

Despite the unrest and allegations of electoral manipulation, Biya’s victory was confirmed by Clement Atangana, President of Cameroon’s Constitutional Council, during a formal announcement at the Yaoundé Conference Centre. Analysts had widely predicted Biya’s win, citing a political system that critics argue has been increasingly rigged in his favor. Over his 43-year rule, Biya has maintained power through a combination of constitutional changes, suppression of opposition, and control over state institutions.

Cameroon has only had two presidents since gaining independence from France in 1960. Biya’s tenure has been marked by political repression, economic inequality, and ongoing conflict with separatist movements in the country’s Anglophone regions. His continued leadership raises concerns about democratic stagnation and the future of governance in Cameroon, especially as opposition voices grow louder and civil unrest intensifies.

The aftermath of the election has left the nation deeply polarized. While Biya’s supporters celebrate his renewed mandate, critics and opposition groups are calling for electoral reform and greater transparency.

The international community has yet to issue a unified response, but human rights organizations are closely monitoring the situation, particularly in light of the violent suppression of protests and the broader implications for civil liberties in Cameroon.