At 92, Cameroon’s Paul Biya hands Africa Guinness World Record as oldest ever ‘elected’ president after securing eighth term in office

At 92, Cameroon’s Paul Biya hands Africa Guinness World Record as oldest ever ‘elected’ president after securing eighth term in office

Cameroon’s government said over 5,000 national and international election observers were accredited to monitor the election. A group of eight local civil society groups noted several irregularities including the presence of deceased voters on electoral lists.

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83-old incumbent Ouattara predicted to win ‘pre-programmed’ Ivory Coast presidential poll

83-old incumbent Ouattara predicted to win ‘pre-programmed’ Ivory Coast presidential poll

The election is the latest example of ageing men continuing to hold power in Africa, which boasts the youngest population in the world. Cameroon’s Paul Biya, 92, Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, 81, and Equatorial Guinea’s Teodoro Mbasogo, 83, are some other older African leaders still in power.

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Cameroon becomes latest African country to feature on abduction and kidnapping list of opposition figures

Cameroon becomes latest African country to feature on abduction and kidnapping list of opposition figures

Kidnapping has become ha popular method of incumbents upending rivals in election contests. In Kenya, kidnapping and abduction of opposition leaders and their allies have become a preferred style of dealing with opposition.

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Cameroon ruling party office set on fire following election fraud claims by opposition

Cameroon ruling party office set on fire following election fraud claims by opposition

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.

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Cameroon’s Paul Biya seeks eighth term in power as youth vow to give the election a wide berth

Cameroon’s Paul Biya seeks eighth term in power as youth vow to give the election a wide berth

Cameroon faces escalating security crises. In the western region, a secession fight has long brewed mainly among English-speaking citizens who claim they are marginalised by the French-speaking majority. In the north, the Boko Haram insurgency spills over from neighbouring Nigeria, with armed groups routinely attacking border towns.

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At 92 and in power for 43 years, Cameroon’s President Paul Biya says his best years are ahead as he seeks eighth term

At 92 and in power for 43 years, Cameroon’s President Paul Biya says his best years are ahead as he seeks eighth term

In a region threatened with shrinking democratic space, several other African countries also have presidents accused of using state mechanisms to prolong their stay in power. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni recently sought nomination for a seventh term, a move that would bring him closer to five decades in power in the East African country.

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