At 92, Paul Biya remains the world’s oldest serving head of state and one of Africa’s longest-ruling leaders, in power since 1982. His main challenger, former minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary, secured between 35% and 39% of votes according to official tallies, but claimed to have won outright.

Election Results Confirm Biya’s Victory

The Constitutional Council announced Biya’s victory on October 27, confirming his eighth consecutive term after 43 years in power. He will now serve until at least 2032, when he will be close to 100 years old. His ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement celebrated the outcome, while Bakary’s camp denounced what it called “falsified and distorted results.”

Protests and Arrests Across Major Cities

Demonstrations spread across Douala, Garoua, and Maroua, where police used tear gas and live ammunition. Authorities reported at least 105 arrests, including several opposition figures. Witnesses described youths confronting police with barricades, while local officials said security personnel sustained injuries during the riots.

Long Rule and Rising Discontent

Biya first took power in 1982 after his predecessor’s resignation and later abolished presidential term limits in 2008. More than 70% of Cameroon’s 30 million citizens are under 35, many of whom see his continued rule as a symbol of stagnation. Unemployment stands near 3.5%, but 57% of young workers rely on informal jobs, fueling frustration among urban youth.

Security and Governance Challenges

Cameroon continues to face an armed separatist insurgency in its Anglophone regions and recurrent Boko Haram attacks in the north. Nearly 7,000 people have been killed in the conflict since 2016 and over 1 million displaced. Critics say Biya’s frequent absences abroad and reliance on loyal party elites have weakened state institutions and deepened inequality.