Cameroon’s Paul Biya, world’s oldest leader secures re-election victory

Cameroon has once again witnessed the rule of Paul Biya, the world’s oldest head of state after winning the election.

The re-election will mark his eighth term, allowing him to stay in the office until he turns nearly 100.

According to the constitutional council, Biya secured 53.66 percent votes, outcompeting his rival, Issa Tchiroma Bakary who received 35.19 percent votes.

Biya started the journey as head of the state in 1982, holding a strong grip over power since then.

He also eliminated the presidential term limit in 2008 and won the multiple re-elections.

In recent weeks, the country has been grappling with civil issues as four people were killed in clashes between security forces and supporters of the opposition in the economic capital, Douala on Sunday.

Tchiroma permanently declared himself winner two days after the October 12 election and issued warning for protests if the constitutional council considered the result “falsified.”

Since Cameroon’s independence from France in 1960, Paul Biya is only the second leader to run the country with iron fist rule.