Despite accusations of vote fraud by the opposition, President Paul Biya has been proclaimed the winner of Cameroon’s presidential election, extending his control to a record eighth consecutive term.
The 92-year-old Biya became the oldest head of state in history when the Constitutional Council declared on Monday that he had won the nation’s contentious election. As a result, Biya, who has been in charge since 1982, will hold onto power until 2032.
Opposition leaders, however, have vehemently rejected the statement. Biya’s primary opponent, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, had earlier proclaimed himself the victor, claiming that the official outcome would be “tainted” and “not reflective of the people’s will.”