Cameroon’s political landscape has been thrown into renewed uncertainty after President Paul Biya, one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, was declared the winner of a highly contested election. Official results released Monday confirmed the 92-year-old incumbent secured a new term with 53.66% of the vote, extending a rule that began more than four decades ago.
The announcement, made by the Constitutional Council, immediately drew sharp rejection from Biya’s main challenger, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who insists he won the presidency with 54.8% according to his campaign’s independent tally. Bakary, speaking from his residence in the northern city of Garoua, accused authorities of voter manipulation and urged his supporters to protest peacefully.
Hours after the results were published, the opposition candidate alleged that security forces opened fire near his home, claiming civilians had been targeted. “The assault has begun,” Bakary declared in a brief statement, warning that his life and those of his supporters were in danger.
The government swiftly condemned the unrest. Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji denounced what he described as an organized attempt to “destabilize” the country through the spread of “false election results” and public disorder. Authorities reported several arrests in Garoua and the capital, Yaoundé, while investigations into the incidents continue.
President Biya, who has led Cameroon since 1982, now faces renewed pressure both at home and abroad to ease political tensions and uphold democratic principles.
