Cameroon's 92-year-old president wins controversial eighth term

Cameroon's 92-year-old president has won a controversial eighth term, in a fiercely disputed election.

Paul Biya, who is the world's oldest head of state, won 53.7% of the vote, compared to the 35.2% of opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary, the Constitutional Council declared.

Before the announcement, Tchiroma Bakary - a former Biya ally - insisted he had won the election, but the ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM) dismissed his claim.

The election, held on 12 October, has been marred with deadly violence, and in recent days, hundreds of Tchiroma Bakary's supporters have defied protest bans in several cities and clashed with security forces.

On Sunday, at least four people were killed during protests in Cameroon's economic capital of Douala.

The regional governor, Samuel Dieudonné Diboua, said police posts had come under attack and security forces had defended themselves.

The unrest continued on Monday, when a number of people were shot dead near Tchiroma Bakary's residence in the city of Garoua. A local journalist on the scene reported that shots were being fired at civilians gathered outside his home, a claim made by Tchiroma Bakary himself, who suggested snipers had been firing at close range.

Protesters were denouncing what they said was a plan by the ruling CPDM to 'steal the victory' from Tchiroma Bakary.

The situation is so tense in the capital, Yaoundé, that almost all shops and schools have remained closed, while most civil servants and office workers stayed home.

In total, 10 candidates were in the running for the presidential office, including former Prime Minister Bello Bouba Maigari. Voter turnout was 58%.

Residents in Yaoundé have been voicing their opinions on Biya's controversial victory. 'We are at the beginning of another nightmare,' said one resident. 'The economy is declining, corruption is endemic, and a lot of things are going wrong.'

Amid this turmoil, President Biya, who has been in power since 1982, has yet to address his citizens following the election results, drawing further frustration from the public. With ongoing unrest and a monarchy-like grip on power, the future of Cameroon remains uncertain.