Cameroon is counting votes as the world’s oldest president tries to stay in power much longer
Cameroon started collecting votes for president after an election on Sunday. Paul Biya, who is currently in office and is the world’s oldest leader at 92 years old, is expected to keep his 43-year hold on power, even though there is a strong opposition pushing for change.
Issa Tchiroma, 76, a former government spokesman, is one of his opponents. He has brought together big crowds of people who want Biya to step down and has the support of a number of opposition parties and civic groups.
Analysts say that Biya, who has been in power since 1982, is likely to be returned because he has strong control over state institutions and the nine candidates running against him are not united.
Just over 8 million people in Cameroon have signed up to vote. The results should be out in 15 days, and there are no polls at the polls.
DECADES OF STILL ECONOMICS
“Nothing is given.” We should wait and see. “Let’s wait for the winner to be named,” Biya told reporters after the election in Yaounde’s capital, the posh Bastos neighborhood, which is close to the presidential palace.
Outside, a small group of voters slowly made their way inside, where tight security surrounded the president.
One voter, 45-year-old Patrick Mbarga Mboa, said, “I hope it goes well, especially for my champion.” He wouldn’t say who he backed. “I hope peace and tranquillity will continue in the country after the election.”
After decades of economic stagnation and tensions in the Central African country of 30 million people that makes oil and cocoa, Biya’s foes are still hoping he can be removed from power.
“This election comes at a time when the whole country wants change,” Tchiroma said after casting his vote in Garoua, which is his home town in the North area.
He told voters to stay alert and make sure that the results that the constitutional council announces match the results that were cast in the voting boxes.
As election tensions rose, a Reuters reporter saw security forces use tear gas to break up a group of hundreds of Tchiroma fans who were trying to gather around his home in Garoua after the area was closed off.
BIYA’S MESSAGE: “Happiness and hope”
Biya got rid of term limits in 2008 and has used “divide and rule” strategies for a long time. With a single-round election, the winner is the candidate who gets the most votes, even if they don’t have a majority.
Francois Conradie, lead political economist at Oxford Economics, said, “A surprise is still possible, but we think the 92-year-old will get his eighth term thanks to a divided opposition and the support of a strong electoral machine.”
“Although we think he isn’t very aware of what is going on, it seems that the machine he built will divide to rule one last time,” Conradie wrote in a note.
As part of his “Greatness and Hope” campaign, Biya has only held one rally, in the northern city of Maroua. He has relied on tightly controlled state media and posts on social media instead, while his team promised more economic growth.
“I want to see progress, change, and maybe a new face.” I’m 43 years old. People who live in Douala, Cameroon’s business center, said, “I’ve never known another president.” “I hope that happens.” “I chose a new face.”
