Cameroon’s long-serving president, Paul Biya, was sworn in on Thursday for an eighth consecutive term amid deep political tensions and deadly unrest that followed a disputed election. At 92, Biya remains Africa’s oldest head of state, and his continued rule, now spanning over four decades, has fuelled concerns about governance, legitimacy, and the prospects for democratic renewal in Central Africa.
According to United Nations sources, at least 48 civilians were killed in post-election violence that erupted across several regions following the announcement of the results. The election commission declared Biya the winner with 53.66% of the vote, but his main challenger, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, rejected the outcome and declared himself the legitimate victor. The opposition’s claims have deepened divisions within the security forces, with reports suggesting some regional commanders have been slow to enforce orders amid growing discontent within the ranks.
Observers note that the latest election, marked by low turnout, widespread intimidation, and restricted press freedom, further entrenches the erosion of democratic institutions in Cameroon. Biya’s government has faced years of criticism for suppressing opposition and maintaining tight control over state media and the judiciary. The country’s security forces have also been battling separatist insurgencies in the English-speaking regions, a conflict that has displaced more than half a million people and crippled local economies.
Economically, the renewed instability threatens to weaken investor confidence and disrupt production in key sectors, including oil, gas, and agriculture. Cameroon’s currency and trade links rely heavily on stability in its port city of Douala and the transit corridor to landlocked Central African states. Any escalation in unrest could reduce exports and strain public finances already pressured by declining foreign aid and rising security costs.
Meanwhile, in East Africa, the African Union (AU) has issued a stinging critique of Tanzania’s recent general election, in which President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner with an overwhelming 98% of the vote. In its preliminary report, the AU observer mission concluded that the poll “did not meet key democratic standards,” citing extensive irregularities including ballot stuffing, voter intimidation, and the absence of opposition party agents in polling stations.
The election was marred by the exclusion of the main opposition party, CHADEMA, which was barred from contesting on technical grounds widely viewed as politically motivated. Reports of mass protests following the announcement of results have emerged, with rights groups claiming that hundreds of people were killed or injured during clashes with security forces.
President Hassan, who first came to power in 2021 following the death of John Magufuli, has positioned herself as a reformer intent on balancing stability with gradual liberalisation. However, the recent election has cast doubt on that narrative, raising fears of democratic backsliding in one of East Africa’s largest economies.
The AU has urged Tanzania to implement urgent electoral and political reforms, calling for the restoration of multiparty competition, greater independence of the electoral commission, and stronger protections for civil liberties. The statement represents one of the bloc’s strongest rebukes in recent years, reflecting growing concern over a continent-wide trend of manipulated elections and prolonged incumbencies.
The contested polls in both Cameroon and Tanzania highlight a deeper regional challenge, the persistence of authoritarian governance wrapped in the veneer of electoral legitimacy. In both countries, elections have increasingly become instruments of regime consolidation rather than genuine expressions of popular will.
The consequences are not only political but also economic. Investors often view political uncertainty as a major risk factor, leading to capital flight, stalled projects, and reduced access to international credit. For Cameroon and Tanzania, where public finances are under strain from rising debt and sluggish private-sector growth, the cost of political instability could be steep.
Across Africa, the resurgence of disputed elections underscores the fragility of democratic progress. While leaders pledge reform and stability, many citizens are left disillusioned by cycles of repression and limited political choice. The coming months will test whether domestic pressure and regional diplomacy can push both governments toward credible reform or whether entrenched power will continue to override popular demand for accountability and change.
