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. On Sunday, at least four people were killed during protests in Cameroon's economic capital of Douala. The regional governor, Samuel Dieudonné Diboua, said police posts had come under attack and security forces had defended themselves.
The unrest continued on Monday, when a number of people were shot dead near Tchiroma Bakary's residence in the city of Garoua, a local journalist on the scene told the BBC. The authorities have not yet commented on these reports. Protesters were denouncing what they said was a plan by the ruling CPDM to 'steal the victory' from Tchiroma Bakary.
President Biya, who has yet to publicly address Cameroonians after his re-election, came to power in 1982 and is known for his extended absences from the public eye. While his leadership has been credited for some development, it has also been marred by allegations of corruption, violent separatist movements, and declining economic conditions. Analysts have warned that if the election results do not reflect the will of the people, Cameroon, once a beacon of stability, could face further political turmoil.
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. On Sunday, at least four people were killed during protests in Cameroon's economic capital of Douala. The regional governor, Samuel Dieudonné Diboua, said police posts had come under attack and security forces had defended themselves.
The unrest continued on Monday, when a number of people were shot dead near Tchiroma Bakary's residence in the city of Garoua, a local journalist on the scene told the BBC. The authorities have not yet commented on these reports. Protesters were denouncing what they said was a plan by the ruling CPDM to 'steal the victory' from Tchiroma Bakary.
President Biya, who has yet to publicly address Cameroonians after his re-election, came to power in 1982 and is known for his extended absences from the public eye. While his leadership has been credited for some development, it has also been marred by allegations of corruption, violent separatist movements, and declining economic conditions. Analysts have warned that if the election results do not reflect the will of the people, Cameroon, once a beacon of stability, could face further political turmoil.
