President Paul Biya Claims Eighth Term Amidst Controversy and Violence in Cameroon

Tue Oct 28 2025 16:59:02 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a highly disputed election marked by violence, 92-year-old Paul Biya has secured a controversial eighth term as the President of Cameroon.

Paul Biya, the world's oldest head of state, won his eighth term in a deeply contested election, garnering 53.7% of the vote. His victory has sparked unrest, with opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary claiming he was the true winner. Protests erupted following the announcement, leading to clashes with security forces and multiple fatalities. Biya, in power since 1982, expressed hope for a united and prosperous Cameroon despite widespread criticism and allegations of electoral malpractice.

Cameroon's 92-year-old president has won a controversial eighth term, in a fiercely disputed election.

Paul Biya, who is the world's oldest head of state, won 53.7% of the vote, compared to the 35.2% of opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary, the Constitutional Council declared.

Before the announcement, Tchiroma Bakary - a former Biya ally - insisted he had won the election, but the ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM) dismissed his claim.

The election, held on 12 October, has been marred with deadly violence, and in recent days, hundreds of Tchiroma Bakary's supporters have defied protest bans in several cities, and clashed with security forces.

Biya thanked voters for once again trusting him.

I sincerely hope that, together, we resolutely undertake to build a peaceful, united and prosperous Cameroon, he said in a statement.

On Sunday, at least four people were killed during protests in Cameroon's economic capital of Douala.

The unrest continued on Monday, when a number of people were shot dead near Tchiroma Bakary's residence in the city of Garoua. The situation is so tense in the capital, Yaoundé, that almost all shops and schools have remained closed.

Voter turnout was at 58%, and despite numerous petitions alleging electoral malpractice being rejected by the Constitutional Council, many citizens remain skeptical about the election results.

Analysts have warned that Cameroon could descend into political turmoil if the election results do not reflect the will of the people. Biya now has a notably shaky mandate given many of his own citizens don't believe he won the election, stated Murithi Mutiga, Africa Program Director at the International Crisis Group.

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