Biya Secures Eighth Term, Extending Four-Decade Rule in Cameroon

Cameroon’s long-time leader, Paul Biya, has once again emerged victorious in the country’s presidential election, securing a controversial eighth term in office. The 92-year-old president, who has ruled since 1982, is now set to remain in power until he is nearly 100 years old.

The Constitutional Council announced the official results on Monday, declaring Biya the winner with 53.66% of the votes, defeating his main opponent, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who garnered 35.19%. The election, held on October 12, 2025, was marked by a low voter turnout and widespread concerns over transparency and fairness.

Clement Atangana, head of the Constitutional Council, made the declaration: “Hereby proclaimed President-elect: the candidate Biya Paul.” The statement, while brief, solidified Biya’s position as one of the world’s oldest and longest-serving heads of state.

Biya, who first assumed office more than four decades ago, had promised political liberalization and development when he succeeded Ahmadou Ahidjo in 1982. However, his tenure has increasingly been defined by tight control over power, allegations of electoral manipulation, and a weakened opposition that has struggled to unite against him.

Supporters credit Biya with maintaining relative political stability and overseeing education expansion, including the establishment of public universities. They also highlight his diplomatic resolution of the Bakassi Peninsula dispute with Nigeria, which ended peacefully in Cameroon’s favor.

Critics, however, argue that his rule has left the nation in decline. Cameroon’s English-speaking regions have endured nearly a decade of violent separatist conflict, while the economy suffers from rising unemployment — particularly among the youth, where joblessness has reached about 40%. Infrastructure decay, poor healthcare, and restrictions on free speech have further fueled public dissatisfaction.

Tensions escalated ahead of the results announcement, as opposition supporters rejected the official outcome. Backers of Issa Tchiroma claimed their candidate actually won, citing their own figures that put him at 54.8% against Biya’s 31.3%. Protests erupted in Cameroon’s major cities, with demonstrators barricading roads and burning tyres to denounce what they called a stolen victory. Police responded with teargas and water cannons to disperse the crowds.

Biya’s new term further extends his already 43-year grip on power, making him Africa’s oldest serving leader after Equatorial Guinea’s Teodoro Obiang Nguema. His continued leadership underscores a growing debate across the continent about political longevity, democratic renewal, and the future of governance in aging regimes.