Paul Biya Declared Winner of Cameroon’s 2025 Presidential Election

Cameroon’s Constitutional Council has confirmed President Paul Biya, aged 92, as the official winner of the 2025 presidential election, extending his more than four-decade rule.

According to the results released on Monday, Biya secured 53.66% of the total votes cast, defeating his closest challenger, Issa Tchiroma, who garnered 35.19%. The announcement comes more than two weeks after the October 12 election.

With this outcome, Biya will continue to lead the Central African nation for another seven-year term, potentially remaining in power until 2032. His latest victory cements his status as the world’s oldest serving head of state.

While Biya dominated the domestic vote, Tchiroma performed strongly among Cameroonians living abroad, securing 62.79% of votes cast in Europe, 66.75% in the Americas, and 68.21% in Asia and the Middle East. He also led across Africa’s diaspora polling stations with 54.99%, though reports indicated a significant level of voter abstention outside the country.

The Constitutional Council clarified that the final result reflects the aggregate national vote, not regional or diaspora outcomes, and therefore affirmed Biya as the duly elected president.

Biya’s re-election comes amid persistent calls for democratic reforms and a political transition in Cameroon.

Opposition figures and civil society groups have frequently accused the ruling party of undermining electoral transparency and suppressing dissent, allegations the government firmly denies.

Officials in Yaoundé described the vote as credible, peaceful, and transparent, despite criticism from some observers who questioned the fairness of the process.

With this mandate, Biya is now expected to remain at the helm of Cameroon’s affairs until he turns 99 years old, unless constitutional changes or unforeseen circumstances alter the political landscape.