Cameroon’s Constitutional Council has approved the official results of the presidential election held on 12 October. Incumbent Paul Biya was once again declared the winner, having secured 53.7% of the vote. His main opponent, Issa Chiroum, the candidate for the Cameroon National Salvation Front, received 35.2%. Nine other candidates participated in the election race.
Despite the formal diversity of candidates, the political field was significantly narrowed at the registration stage. Maurice Kamto, 71, leader of the Movement for the Renaissance of Cameroon and runner-up in the 2018 election, was not allowed to run. Kamto had consistently criticised the current government and had previously accused the president’s administration of electoral violations. The absence of a key opposition player reduced the level of political competition and predictably strengthened the position of the incumbent president. Observers note the high degree of control exercised by the executive branch over electoral procedures and state institutions.
Protests
Immediately after the vote, Issa Chiroum declared victory. This sparked protests in a number of cities. The most serious incidents occurred in the country’s economic centre, Douala, where demonstrations turned into clashes with the police. According to Chiroum’s headquarters and local authorities, four people were killed.
Long-term leadership and institutional stability of the regime Paul Biya has been Cameroon’s leader since 1982, making him the world’s oldest serving head of state. In 2008, he initiated constitutional changes that removed the limit on the number of presidential terms. In recent years, international observers have been paying attention to the distribution of power within the ruling hierarchy. Biya rarely appears in public and delegates a significant part of his functions to the head of the presidential administration. In 2024, rumours circulated in the media about possible health problems of the head of state. Discussion of this issue was officially restricted.
