Cameroon’s Constitutional Council has declared 92-year-old President Paul Biya the winner of the country’s controversial presidential election, handing him an eighth consecutive term in office. The results, announced on Monday, October 27, confirmed Biya’s continued hold on power — a rule that began in 1982 and is now set to extend until 2032, when he will be nearly 100 years old.Biya secured 53.66% of the vote, defeating his closest rival and former spokesperson, Issa Tchiroma, who garnered 35.19%.
Tchiroma, 76, had earlier claimed victory days after the polls and urged Cameroonians to resist what he described as “falsified results.”His calls sparked nationwide protests, particularly in Douala, the country’s commercial hub, where at least four people were killed and over 100 arrested following clashes with security forces.
Despite widespread calls for him to step aside, Biya made only one campaign appearance, telling supporters that “the best is still to come.”His decades-long rule has faced repeated allegations of vote-rigging and authoritarianism, which he and his party deny.
Often described as the world’s oldest serving head of state, Biya has become known for his long absences from the country, spending extended periods in luxury hotels in Switzerland. His frequent disappearances and advanced age have fueled recurring death rumours, yet the veteran leader continues to defy both speculation and political change in Cameroon.
Source: https://thestreetjournal.org/
