Cameroon’s Constitutional Council has officially declared President Paul Biya, aged 92, the winner of the 2025 presidential election, securing an eighth consecutive term in office with 53.66% of the vote.
The announcement, made late Monday in Yaoundé, extends Biya’s more than four decades of rule, solidifying his status as the world’s oldest and one of the longest-serving heads of state.
His main challenger, Issa Tchiroma, who had earlier claimed victory based on partial results, garnered 35.2%, according to the final figures released by the Constitutional Council.
A Contested Election Amid Calls for Change
The election, held amid growing economic hardship and political tension, saw increased calls for leadership transition in the Central African nation. Opposition groups had accused the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) of electoral manipulation and suppression, allegations the government has strongly denied.
Despite these tensions, the Council affirmed that the vote was “largely credible and reflective of the popular will.”
Biya’s Enduring Grip on Power
Biya first assumed office in 1982 following the resignation of Cameroon’s founding president, Ahmadou Ahidjo. Over the past 43 years, he has maintained a firm hold on the country’s political system, surviving multiple opposition challenges, separatist conflicts in the Anglophone regions, and growing public discontent.
His re-election underscores both his continued control over Cameroon’s political establishment and the fragmentation of opposition forces, which have struggled to unite behind a single platform capable of mounting a serious electoral challenge.
Regional and International Reaction
The result has sparked mixed reactions across Africa and the international community. Some African leaders have congratulated Biya for his “historic continuity,” while human rights advocates and Western observers have called for greater transparency, constitutional reforms, and a credible roadmap for political transition.
What Lies Ahead
As Biya begins another seven-year term, analysts say Cameroon faces mounting challenges, including youth unemployment, rising cost of living, and the ongoing separatist insurgency in the country’s English-speaking regions.
While supporters describe Biya as a symbol of stability, critics argue that his prolonged stay in power has stifled political renewal and weakened democratic institutions.
With this victory, Paul Biya cements his place in history — not only as the world’s oldest serving president, but also as a leader whose political longevity continues to shape the narrative of power and endurance in post-colonial Africa.
