There have been several coups and attempted coups, including a military takeover in 2009 that first brought Rajoelina to power. Then, the army handed power to Rajoelina, who was in charge as president of a transitional government for five years before new elections.

Tensions have been rising in Cameroon after the opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary claimed victory last week in the presidential election ahead of the release of official results, urging President Paul Biya, 92, the world’s oldest president, to concede.