Cameroon’s long-serving President, Paul Biya has once again extended his stay in power after winning a contentious election that has deepened political tensions across the country.
The 92-year-old leader secured 53.7 per cent of the total votes cast, according to results announced by the Constitutional Council on Monday.
His main challenger, former government minister Issa Tchiroma, came second with 35.2 per cent of the vote.
However, Bakary rejected the outcome even before the official results were released, insisting that he had won 54.8 per cent of the ballot and accusing the electoral process of manipulation.
Violence erupted in several cities on the eve of the results announcement, leaving at least four people dead.
Authorities confirmed that security forces clashed with opposition supporters who took to the streets demanding the recognition of Bakary’s self-declared victory.
The unrest, which broke out despite a government ban on public gatherings, underscored the growing frustration among Cameroonians seeking political change.
In the commercial hub of Douala, regional governor Samuel Dieudonne Ivana Diboua reported that protesters attacked police stations and a gendarmerie unit in two districts.
“Unfortunately, four people lost their lives, and some security personnel sustained injuries during the chaos,” he said in a statement.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as tear gas and live ammunition were reportedly used to disperse crowds.
“They started with tear gas, and then the shooting began. I saw three people fall right in front of me,” a demonstrator told local journalists under anonymity for safety reasons.
Despite the unrest, Biya’s supporters celebrated his victory, hailing it as a reaffirmation of his leadership.
“The people have spoken again. President Biya remains our symbol of unity and stability,” said Jean Claude Nkembe, a ruling party loyalist in Yaoundé.
Analysts, however, warn that the renewed mandate may not quell growing dissent in the country.
Many opposition figures argue that Cameroon’s electoral system has been engineered to favour the incumbent, who has ruled since 1982.
“The real issue is not just about who won, but about whether the process reflects the will of the people,” said political analyst Dr. YvoDr Tande.
“Cameroon is at a critical point, people are demanding reforms, not just another election cycle under the same structure.”
With Biya now set for an eighth term in office, questions linger about the future of governance, accountability, and stability in a nation increasingly divided by age-old political fault lines and social inequality.
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