Cameroon’s Constitutional Council on Monday formally declared President Paul Biya the winner of the country’s October 2025 presidential election, securing a new seven-year term with 53.66 percent of the vote.
At 92 years old, Biya is now set to extend his rule to 2032, marking his eighth consecutive term and over 50 years in power.
His main challenger, opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary, received 35.2 percent of the vote and rejected the outcome, calling the election rigged and citing widespread irregularities, including fraud, voter intimidation, and limited oversight from independent observers.
The official announcement triggered protests in major cities such as Garoua, Douala and Yaoundé, with demonstrators clashing with security forces.
At least four people were reported dead following the unrest. President Biya has since expressed condolences to the victims’ families while urging calm.
The controversial vote adds to growing scrutiny of Cameroon’s political climate, where opposition parties and civil society groups have long criticized restrictions on democratic freedoms, media, and electoral transparency.
Biya has ruled Cameroon since 1982, making him one of the world’s longest-serving leaders.
Despite the country’s vast natural resources, critics argue that governance challenges and persistent conflict in the Anglophone regions have undermined development and stability.
The Constitutional Council’s confirmation of the results effectively closes the legal challenge window, even as international observers and domestic actors continue to raise concerns about electoral credibility and democratic space in Cameroon.
