What's happened
Cameroon’s President Paul Biya begins an eighth term amid protests and allegations of electoral fraud, while Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan is re-elected in a vote marked by repression and opposition disqualification. Both countries face international criticism over democratic processes and human rights abuses.
What's behind the headline?
The elections in Cameroon and Tanzania highlight a troubling trend of entrenched authoritarianism in Africa. In Cameroon, Biya’s victory, after 43 years in power, is challenged by protests and accusations of electoral manipulation, revealing deep discontent among the populace. The violence and deaths underscore the government’s reliance on force to maintain control. Tanzania’s election, marked by the disqualification of main opposition candidates and reports of enforced disappearances, exemplifies a shift toward more repressive governance under Hassan. Both cases demonstrate how incumbents leverage state resources and legal mechanisms to suppress opposition, undermining democratic legitimacy. The international community’s criticism reflects a broader concern that these elections will entrench authoritarian rule, diminish political pluralism, and threaten stability. The next steps will likely involve continued repression, with opposition figures and civil society facing increased risks, and the potential for further unrest if reforms are not implemented. These developments serve as a warning that electoral processes in Africa are increasingly manipulated to sustain long-term incumbency, often at the expense of democratic principles and human rights.
What the papers say
All Africa reports on Cameroon’s protests and unrest following the election, highlighting the casualties and accusations of electoral fraud. Reuters provides context on Biya’s long rule and the violence during protests. Al Jazeera offers insights into Tanzania’s election, repression, and opposition disqualifications, emphasizing the authoritarian shift. AP News details the repression, arrests, and reports of enforced disappearances in Tanzania, illustrating the broader pattern of authoritarian practices. The contrasting perspectives underscore the pattern of electoral manipulation and repression in both countries, with some sources emphasizing the legitimacy of the leaders’ claims and others highlighting the repression and human rights abuses.
How we got here
Cameroon’s recent election extended Paul Biya’s long rule, amid allegations of electoral fraud and protests that left dozens dead. Tanzania’s election, which re-elected Samia Suluhu Hassan, was marred by opposition disqualifications, repression, and reports of enforced disappearances, reflecting a broader trend of authoritarian practices in both countries. Both leaders have maintained power through flawed electoral processes, with international observers criticizing the lack of genuine political competition.
Go deeper
Common question
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Who Won the Recent Elections in Cameroon and Tanzania?
Recent elections in Cameroon and Tanzania have sparked international concern due to allegations of fraud, protests, and repression. Many want to know who actually won these elections and what the implications are for democracy in these countries. Below, we answer key questions about the election results, the fairness of the process, and the broader impact on democracy in Africa.
More on these topics
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Paul Biya is a Cameroonian politician serving as the president of Cameroon since 6 November 1982. He is the second-longest-ruling president in Africa, the longest-ruling non-royal leader in the world, and the oldest head-of-state in Africa.
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Samia Hassan Suluhu is a Tanzanian CCM politician. She became Tanzania's first-ever female Vice-President after she was announced Vice-President of Tanzania in the 2015 General Elections, alongside John Magufuli the President.
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Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon, is a country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west and north; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and the Republic of the Congo to
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Tundu Antiphas Mughwai Lissu is a Tanzanian lawyer, CHADEMA politician and Member of Parliament for Singida East constituency since 2010.
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Tanzania, officially the United Republic of Tanzania, is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. It borders Uganda to the north; Kenya to the northeast; Comoro Islands and the Indian Ocean to the east; Mozambique and Malawi to the
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The Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM, lit. 'Party of the Revolution') is the dominant, ruling party in Tanzania. It was formed in 1977 from a merger between the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) and the Afro-Shirazi Party (ASP), which were the sole opera
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The Party for Democracy and Progress, commonly known as Chadema, is a center-right political party in Tanzania.
Chadema is the second-largest political party in the National Assembly of Tanzania and campaigns largely on an anti-corruption platform.