Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, 92, has been officially re-elected for an eighth term, extending his more than four-decade rule, according to results announced Monday by the Constitutional Council.
“Hereby proclaimed President-elect: the candidate Biya Paul,” declared Clement Atangana, president of the Constitutional Council, as the official results were read on state television.
Biya, who first took office in 1982, abolished presidential term limits in 2008, allowing him to maintain power through successive elections. His latest victory means he could remain in office well into his late 90s, making him one of the world’s longest-serving leaders.
This year, his strongest challenge came from Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a former government spokesperson and employment minister in his late 70s, who broke ranks with the ruling party earlier this year. Tchiroma drew large crowds and secured endorsements from a coalition of opposition parties and civic groups, but ultimately fell short of unseating the veteran leader.
Biya’s continued leadership underscores the enduring strength of his political machinery and raises questions about Cameroon’s prospects for political renewal. Observers note that while opposition movements are increasingly vocal, Biya’s incumbency and control over state institutions remain formidable.
