from ROSY SADOU in Yaoundé, Cameroon
Cameroon Bureau
YAOUNDÉ, (CAJ News) – IF history and the current political landscape are any indication, the world’s oldest sitting president is poised to retain power in Cameroon.
One of the globe’s longest-serving leaders, Paul Biya (92), is widely expected to win the presidential election held this past Sunday. He has led the Central African country for five decades—initially as Prime Minister from 1975, and as President since 1982.
Over 8 million Cameroonians were registered to vote across more than 31,650 polling stations in a nation grappling with dual security challenges: a separatist insurgency in the English-speaking regions and ongoing threats from Islamist militants in the north.
The elections were preceded by restrictions on civic freedoms and limited political space.
Vote counting is currently underway.
In a country of roughly 31 million people, elections are often viewed as a formality. Biya has already served seven presidential terms, and an eighth appears imminent—despite longstanding allegations of corruption, poor governance, and an inadequate response to insecurity.
Even a recent public fallout with his daughter, Brenda Biya, is unlikely to sway the outcome. On September 18, she posted a video urging voters not to support her father, later deleting it and issuing an apology.
Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a presidential candidate, claimed on election eve that there were plans to arrest him.
“The response of the people and the strength of legality will be more powerful than your threats,” he stated, addressing Minister of Territorial Administration, Atanga Nji.
The African Union Election Observation Mission (AU EOM), comprising 40 short-term observers, is set to release its preliminary findings on Tuesday.
Led by former Rwandan Prime Minister Bernard Makuza, the mission concludes its work on Thursday.
– CAJ News