In the presidential election held on October 12, 2025, Cameroon’s incumbent president, Paul Biya, now 92 years old and in power since 1982, has been declared the winner with 53.66 % of the vote, according to the nation’s Constitutional Council.
Biya’s victory secures him another seven-year term, potentially extending his rule into the year 2032, at which point he would be approaching 100 years of age and could mark five decades in power.
His main challenger, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, received 35.19 % of the vote. His long incumbency and advanced age have stirred much debate across Cameroon and beyond.
In the run-up and aftermath of the election, tensions have run high. Opposition supporters and civic groups accused the government of electoral manipulation, citing delays in result announcements and reports of unrest.
At least four protesters were killed in clashes in the economic capital, Douala, as security forces confronted demonstrators challenging the official outcome. For his part, Tchiroma claimed victory days earlier on the basis of party-collected tallies and rejected the official figures announced by the court.
Though Paul Biya dismissed his own challengers, his rule continues to face criticism over governance, protest suppression, and questions about accountability. Yet today’s announcement strengthens his grip on power, leaving many to watch how the nearly 30-million-strong nation will evolve under his extended leadership.
