Paul Biya- World’s Oldest Head of State Set to Rule Beyond 100
RNS: Paul Biya, the 92-year-old leader and the world’s oldest serving head of state, has once again extended his decades-long rule over Cameroon, clinching a controversial eighth presidential term that could see him remain in power well past his 100th birthday.
The Constitutional Council on Monday declared Biya the winner with 53.66% of the vote, defeating his former ally-turned-rival Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who secured 35.19%. The result cements Biya’s grip on the Central African nation he has ruled since 1982, after succeeding Cameroon’s first president, Ahmadou Ahidjo.
In 2008, Biya scrapped constitutional term limits, effectively paving the way for indefinite rule.
Post-Election Violence and Allegations of Fraud
The declaration followed days of unrest and deadly clashes, with at least four people killed in the port city of Douala as security forces confronted opposition supporters protesting alleged electoral fraud.
Protesters took to the streets of Cameroon again, after official election results showed President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest serving leader at 92, had won another election. The opposition alleges election-rigging, which the government denies https://t.co/l5axsYzzl4 pic.twitter.com/BejyieiBwx
— Reuters (@Reuters) October 27, 2025
Bakary, who had declared himself the winner just hours after the October 12 vote, claimed his independent tally showed him leading with 54.8% against Biya’s 31.3%. He accused the government of “falsifying and distorting” the results and warned of mass protests if the official outcome stood.
Biya’s ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) dismissed the accusations, urging citizens to “respect the institutions” and maintain calm.
Tensions Flaring Across Key Cities
Tensions remain high across several cities, including Garoua, Bakary’s hometown, where police reportedly surrounded his residence amid fears of arrest. Unrest was also reported in Yaoundé, Bafoussam, and Douala, where angry crowds gathered to denounce what they called a “stolen election.”
Four Decades of Unyielding Rule
Biya, only the second president since Cameroon’s independence from France in 1960, has maintained an iron grip on power for over four decades. His tenure has been marked by suppression of dissent, crackdown on separatist movements, and tight control over the nation’s political landscape.
Despite growing domestic and international calls for democratic reform, Biya’s latest victory underscores his enduring dominance — and the challenges facing any effort to reshape Cameroon’s political future.
