Cameroon's Election Crisis: A Threat to Democracy

Angry protesters have taken to the streets of Cameroon in response to the authorities' declaration of President Paul Biya's victory, with many accusing the outcome of being rigged. Biya, the world's oldest head of state, has dominated the country for 43 years and is now poised to govern until the age of 99. The election was marred by the disqualification of opposition candidate Maurice Kamto, who was imprisoned for refusing to accept the official results of the 2018 election. Cameroon is one of several African countries where elections are increasingly being manipulated by authoritarian regimes to prolong their rule.

Key Takeaways:

• Cameroon's President Paul Biya was declared the winner of the recent election with 54% of the vote, following the disqualification of opposition candidate Maurice Kamto.
• The election was marred by violence, with protesters attacking election offices and blocking streets with burning barricades.
• Biya has dominated Cameroon for 43 years and can now govern until the age of 99.
• The Trump administration's directive to focus on strategic interests and commercial deals in Africa has been seen as a shift away from prioritizing democratic values and electoral oversight.
• Other Western governments have been muted in their response to the crises, giving authoritarian regimes a free hand to entrench their dominance.
• Opposition candidates have been disqualified and imprisoned in several African countries, including Tanzania, Ivory Coast, and Uganda.
• Of the world's 10 longest-serving political leaders, more than half are in Africa, with none showing any willingness to step down.

Statistics:

• 43 years: The length of time President Paul Biya has dominated Cameroon.
• 54%: The percentage of the vote Biya received in the recent election.
• 35%: The percentage of the vote received by opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary.
• 99: The age Biya will be if he remains in power until his planned retirement.
• Over 8 months: The length of time opposition candidate Maurice Kamto was imprisoned for refusing to accept the official results of the 2018 election.
• 4: The number of opposition protesters killed in Douala.
• 2: The number of opposition protesters killed at the house of candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary.
• $500 million: The estimated annual cost of the Trump administration's Africa policy, focused on strategic interests and commercial deals.

Sources:

• Center for Strategic and International Studies
• Oxford Economics
• International Crisis Group
• The Globe and Mail
• Washington Post