Cameroon’s 92-Year-Old Paul Biya Re-Elected; Opposition Reports Gunfire

Cameroon’s 92-year-old President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest head of state, secured a record eighth term in office on Monday, official results showed. Meanwhile, his main opposition challenger — who has also claimed victory — reported gunfire near his residence.

The Constitutional Council announced that Biya won 53.66% of the vote, while his former ally Issa Tchiroma Bakary received 35.19%. The seven-year term could keep the long-serving leader in power close to the age of 100.

Tensions have been running high since partial results last week suggested Biya was heading for victory in the October 12 vote. Opposition protesters clashed repeatedly with security forces across the country.

The government has yet to comment on the results but has dismissed opposition allegations of electoral fraud.

Following the announcement, Tchiroma wrote on Facebook that two civilians were killed when shots were fired outside his home in the northern city of Garoua. He did not specify who opened fire or directly comment on the election outcome. Reuters was unable to independently verify his account. Last week, Tchiroma had declared himself the winner and vowed not to recognize any other result.

The outcome raises fears of renewed clashes between opposition supporters and security forces. At least four people were killed in confrontations on Sunday in Douala, the country’s commercial capital.

François Conradie, lead political economist at Oxford Economics, said, “We expect unrest to intensify as many Cameroonians reject the official results. It’s hard to see the Biya administration lasting much longer.”

Murithi Mutiga, Africa program director at the International Crisis Group, told Reuters, “Biya now holds a much weaker mandate, as many of his own citizens do not believe he legitimately won the election.”

He added, “We urge President Biya to immediately begin a national mediation process to prevent further escalation.”

Biya, who first took office in 1982, has maintained a firm grip on power for more than four decades. In 2008, he scrapped presidential term limits and has since won re-election by wide margins.

Announcing the results, Constitutional Council president Clément Atangana declared: “By this, the candidate Paul Biya is elected President of the Republic, having received the majority of votes cast.”

Tchiroma, a former government spokesman and employment minister, broke ranks with Biya earlier this year. His campaign drew large crowds and gained backing from a coalition of opposition parties and civil society groups.