Cameroon's Presidential Election: A Divided Opposition Challenges Paul Biya's 43-Year Rule

Over 8 million Cameroonians voted in the presidential election, with longtime President Paul Biya facing a fragmented opposition that wants to break his long, unshakable rule. Despite a peaceful vote, critics question the fairness and transparency of the electoral process. The outcome of the election, expected within the next 15 days, will determine whether Biya will extend his term by another seven years, making him 99 at the end of his potential eighth term.

Key Takeaways:

• Over 8 million citizens, including over 34,000 overseas voters, were eligible to cast ballots at more than 31,000 polling stations.
• Cameroon's population is over 29 million, with 13.7 million under 18, based on 2023 data from the UN.
• The voting proceeded largely smoothly and without significant difficulties, according to Tabouli Celestin Succes, a journalist from Maroua.
• Extra troops were deployed to protect the vote in Cameroon's English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions, following threats from separatist groups.
• Only representatives of three parties were present at some polling stations in the Far North region: the ruling party RDPC, and UNDP.
• Young people mobilized to ensure fairness, developing digital solutions to transparently document and make accessible election information.
• Cameroonians want change, with the opposition mobilizing supporters and developing solutions to address infrastructure, youth unemployment, and regional security concerns.
• Biya's main competitors are Bello Bouba Maigari and Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who urged voters to remain vigilant and ensure the announced results reflect the ballot box results.
• A Reuters journalist reported security forces firing teargas to disperse hundreds of Tchiroma's supporters in Garoua.

Statistics:

• 8,000,000 citizens eligible to cast ballots
• 34,000 overseas voters
• 31,000 polling stations
• 13.7 million Cameroonians under 18
• 29,000,000 Cameroon's population
• 2023 data from the UN
• 15 days: expected timeframe for announcing the election results
• 43 years: duration of Biya's rule
• 7 years: potential additional term for Biya
• 99: age of Biya at the end of his potential eighth term
• 8: number of members of the Constitutional Council, all appointed by the ruling party

Sources:

• Tabouli Celestin Succes, journalist from Maroua
• Violet Fokum, Cameroonian governance and elections analyst
• Michele Ndoki, renowned lawyer and committed civil society representative
• Marie Flore Mboussi, member of Maurice Kamto's Cameroon Renaissance Movement
• Reuters journalist (unspecified)
• DW (Deutsche Welle)