YAOUNDÉ: Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, 92, has been re-elected for an eighth term with 53.7% of the vote, according to official results announced by the Constitutional Council today.

Rival candidate and former government minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary came second with 35.2%, the council said.

Tchiroma had claimed victory against the incumbent two days after the Oct 12 election, and called for demonstrations.

Four people were killed yesterday in clashes between security forces and supporters of the opposition in the economic capital Douala, according to the region’s governor.

Security forces initially used tear gas before firing “live ammunition”, according to protesters interviewed by AFP.

Since last week, supporters of Issa Tchiroma, who according to his own tally won 54.8% of the votes against 31.3% for Biya, have taken to the streets to defend his claimed victory.

Most analysts expected Biya, the world’s oldest serving head of state, to secure another seven-year term in a system that critics say has been increasingly rigged.

Biya is only the second head of state to lead Cameroon since independence from France in 1960.

He has ruled with an iron fist, repressing all political and armed opposition, and holding onto power through social upheaval, economic disparity and separatist violence.