Cameroon’s long-time leader, Paul Biya, has secured yet another term in office, extending his more than 40-year rule amid mounting tension and protests.
Diaspora Digital Media reported that the country’s Constitutional Council announced on Monday that Biya, aged 92, won the October 12 presidential election with 53.7 percent of the votes, solidifying his status as the world’s oldest head of state.
However, his main rival, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, immediately rejected the result, describing the election as a “masquerade.”
Speaking to AFP, the Front for the National Salvation of Cameroon (FNSC) candidate insisted, “There was no election; it was rather a masquerade. We won unequivocally.”
Tchiroma had earlier declared victory just two days after the polls and called for demonstrations, claiming his internal tally showed 54.8 percent of votes in his favor compared to Biya’s 31.3 percent.
The rejection has fueled violent unrest across the nation.
A rally outside Tchiroma’s residence in Garoua turned deadly, with reports of at least two protesters killed.
Diaspora Digital Media reported that in Douala, four more people were reportedly killed in clashes between opposition supporters and security forces over the weekend.
Witnesses said police initially used tear gas before opening fire with live ammunition.
Authorities have since banned public gatherings and restricted movement in several cities, including Yaoundé, where heavy police presence was reported at key intersections on Monday morning.
Many shops and fuel stations remained closed as residents feared fresh violence.
According to the official results, voter turnout was 46.3 percent.
Other candidates, including Cabral Libii (3.4%), Bello Bouba Maigari (2.5%), and Hermine Patricia Tomaino Ndam Njoya (1.7%), trailed far behind.
Biya, who has ruled Cameroon since 1982, remains one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.
His administration has faced growing criticism for corruption, repression, and economic mismanagement.
Despite decades of authoritarian rule, the 92-year-old leader continues to wield immense control over state institutions, with critics calling the electoral system “heavily rigged.”
Tchiroma’s campaign had promised a three-to-five-year transition plan to rebuild Cameroon’s political and economic structure.
Following the disputed results, he urged citizens to remain defiant and continue peaceful protests against what he termed “falsified and distorted results.”
With mounting international concern, analysts say the latest election has once again highlighted the fragility of democracy in Cameroon and the resilience of Biya’s decades-long grip on power.