Paul Biya Declared Winner of Cameroon’s 2025 Presidential Election, Extending His Rule to Half a Century

 

Cameroon’s long-serving president, Paul Biya, has officially been declared the winner of the country’s 2025 presidential election, securing 53.66% of the vote. His closest rival, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, garnered 35.19%, according to final results released by the National Elections Commission (ELECAM).

At 92 years old, Biya’s victory cements his position as one of the world’s longest-serving leaders. Having first assumed power in 1982, this new seven-year term will mark 50 years—half a century—of continuous rule over the Central African nation.

In his victory speech broadcast on state television, Biya thanked Cameroonians for their “renewed trust” and pledged to “continue working for peace, unity, and progress.” He also called for calm and national cohesion following the tense election period.

Opposition leaders, however, have raised concerns over alleged irregularities during the vote. Supporters of Issa Tchiroma and other opposition candidates have criticized what they describe as “an uneven playing field,” pointing to restrictions on campaigning and limited media access.

Despite such claims, international observers described the election as largely peaceful, though noting issues of transparency in vote counting and limited participation in conflict-affected regions, particularly in the Anglophone northwest and southwest.

Biya’s latest win extends a tenure that has seen Cameroon undergo profound political and economic changes—alongside persistent challenges, including separatist tensions, youth unemployment, and calls for democratic reform.

If he completes this new term, Biya will have led Cameroon for 50 consecutive years, a milestone few global leaders have reached.

For many Cameroonians, the announcement has brought mixed emotions: admiration from supporters who see him as a symbol of stability, and frustration from critics who view his continued rule as a sign of democratic stagnation.