Cameroon's 92-Year-Old President Biya Wins Controversial Term Amid Deadly Protests

Cameroon's 92-year-old President Paul Biya has been declared the winner of the October 12 election, securing another seven-year term and extending his rule that began in 1982. The election results showed Biya winning with 53.66% of the vote against his former ally Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who garnered 35.19%, although Tchiroma disputed the results and had claimed victory days earlier, citing his party's own tallies. The announcement was followed by violent protests in several cities, including Douala, where clashes with security forces resulted in at least four protesters being shot dead and over 100 arrests. These events reflect broader tensions between Cameroon’s aging leadership and its predominantly young population, alongside accusations of electoral manipulation and suppression by Biya's government. Meanwhile, in Ivory Coast, President Alassane Ouattara, aged 83, won a fourth term with nearly 90% of the vote, continuing his leadership amid debates over constitutional term limits. Both elections highlight ongoing challenges in African governance, including longevity in power and contested democratic processes.