Paul Biya, the 92-year-old president of Cameroon, has been formally proclaimed the victor of the 2025 presidential election, adding seven more years to his decades-long tenure.
According to reports, the Constitutional Council declared on Monday that Biya had won 53.66 percent of the vote, surpassing opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma, who received 35.19 percent.
The election took place on October 12, but the results weren’t announced until Monday.
Tchiroma, who has continuously contested Biya’s 43-year hold on power, disagreed with the results, claiming he received 54.8% of the vote.
Despite a government ban on public gatherings, the opposition leader had encouraged his followers to start nonviolent marches prior to the announcement.
Conflicts between security personnel and opposition supporters erupted on Sunday in Douala, a commercial city.
Four individuals were killed in the incident, according to Littoral Regional Governor Samuel Dieudonne Ivaha Diboua, while multiple security personnel were injured.
“Unfortunately, four people lost their lives,” he said, adding that protesters had allegedly stormed two police stations and a gendarmerie brigade.
With this victory, Biya—who has led Cameroon since 1982—will now serve an eighth term, making him one of the continent’s longest-serving leaders.
