Cameroon’s long-serving leader, President Paul Biya, has secured re-election for an unprecedented eighth term, according to official results released on Monday by the country’s Constitutional Council.
The victory could see Biya remain in power until he is nearly 100 years old, further extending his more than four-decade rule.
Announcing the results, the president of the Constitutional Council, Clement Atangana, declared, “Hereby proclaimed President-elect: the candidate Biya Paul.” The announcement reaffirmed Biya’s continued dominance over Cameroonian politics despite growing calls for change.
At 92, Biya is one of the world’s oldest leaders and among the longest-serving heads of state, having first assumed office in 1982.
Over the years, he has maintained a firm grip on power, reshaping the political landscape to ensure his continued rule.
In 2008, Biya abolished presidential term limits, a move that paved the way for his repeated re-elections and effectively removed any constitutional barrier to his prolonged leadership.
His party has consistently won elections with wide margins, amid criticism from opposition groups who accuse the government of suppressing dissent.
This year’s election presented Biya with one of his strongest challenges in recent times.
His main rival, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a former government spokesperson and employment minister, mounted a spirited campaign after parting ways with Biya earlier in 2025.
Tchiroma, now in his late 70s, drew sizable crowds across major cities and gained support from a coalition of opposition parties and civic organizations.
Despite this surge of momentum, Biya once again proved politically unshakable, cementing his position as Cameroon’s enduring political figurehead.
