World’s oldest president, 92, wins contested Cameroon election after unrest

Supporters of opposition presidential candidate Issa Tchiroma protest on the streets of Garoua, Cameroon (Welba Yamo Pascal/AP)

Cameroon’s top court has declared incumbent Paul Biya, the world’s oldest president, the winner of the country’s latest election.

Clashes with security forces in Cameroon left at least four protesters dead ahead of Monday’s announcement as opposition supporters rallied to demand credible results.

The 92-year-old Mr Biya has led the central African nation since 1982.

Supporters of opposition presidential candidate Issa Tchiroma, protest on the streets of Garoua, Cameroon (Welba Yamo Pascal/AP)

The Constitutional Council said he received 53.66% of votes while former ally-turned challenger Issa Tchiroma Bakary got 35.19%.

The four protesters were shot dead in Douala, the economic capital, on Sunday, while more than 100 were arrested.

Mr Tchiroma had claimed victory days before the election, citing results he said were collated by his party.

Mr Biya dismissed the claim.

According to Samuel Dieudonne Ivaha Diboua, governor of the Littoral Region that includes Douala, several members of the security forces were also injured in Douala by the protesters.

He said at least 105 protesters were arrested.

Supporters of opposition presidential candidate Issa Tchiroma, protest on the streets of Garoua, Cameroon (Welba Yamo Pascal/AP)

Videos online showed protesters clashing with security forces, who fired tear gas and tried to disperse people barricading major roads in Douala and other cities, including Garoua and Maroua in the north.

Dozens of opposition supporters, activists and leaders were arrested in recent days.

Cameroon’s minister of territorial administration Paul Atanga Nji told reporters on Saturday that the government arrested several people plotting violent attacks.

Tensions built ahead of the election in Cameroon, a country of nearly 30 million people.

The decision by Mr Biya, who has been in power for nearly half his life, to seek re-election angered youth and the opposition.

The opposition has accused Mr Biya of having a hand in the disqualification of his strongest rival and of using “state machinery” to manipulate the election in his favour.

One protester, Oumarou Bouba, a 27-year-old trader in the northern city of Maroua, said: “I am ready to stake my life to defend my vote.

“I voted for Tchiroma because I want change.”