Cameroon: Paul Biya declared winner of presidential election
On Mon, Oct 12, 2023, Cameroon’s top court officially declared Paul Biya, aged 92, as the winner of the presidential election. Paul Biya has been leading the central African nation since 1982 and secured 53.66% of the votes. His former ally, Issa…
On Mon, Oct 12, 2023, Cameroon’s top court officially declared Paul Biya, aged 92, as the winner of the presidential election. Paul Biya has been leading the central African nation since 1982 and secured 53.66% of the votes. His former ally, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, received 35.19% of the votes.
Prior to the announcement, clashes with security forces resulted in the deaths of at least four protesters in Douala, the economic capital. Hundreds of people protested in various cities, demanding credible election results. Issa Tchiroma Bakary had previously claimed victory based on results allegedly collated by his party, which Biya dismissed.
Governor Samuel Dieudonne Ivaha Diboua of the Littoral Region reported that several security personnel were injured during the protests, and at least 105 protesters were arrested. Videos showed protesters clashing with security forces using tear gas to disperse crowds in Douala and other cities, including Garoua and Maroua.
In recent days, multiple opposition supporters and leaders have been detained. The Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, confirmed that several individuals were arrested for allegedly plotting violent attacks.
On Mon, Oct 12, 2023, Cameroon’s top court officially declared Paul Biya, aged 92, as the winner of the presidential election.
The election period has been marked by heightened tensions in Cameroon, a nation with a population nearing 30 million. Biya’s decision to seek another term sparked discontent among the youth and opposition, who accused him of manipulating the election process and disqualifying his strongest competitor.
Paul Biya has governed Cameroon since 1982 after the resignation of the nation’s first president and benefited from a constitutional amendment that removed term limits. Despite Cameroon being an oil-producing country with modest economic growth, the majority of its youthful population feels excluded from economic benefits.
Critics argue that Biya's leadership has transitioned Cameroon from stability to crisis. The nation has faced challenges such as Boko Haram attacks in the north and a secessionist insurgency in the English-speaking regions. This crisis has resulted in nearly 7,000 deaths and displaced over a million people internally, with many seeking refuge in Nigeria.
Despite a reported unemployment rate of 3.5%, a significant portion of the labor force aged 18 to 35 is engaged in informal employment, highlighting the disparity between economic growth and its impact on the general population.
Based on reporting by Africanews.
