Paul Biya on Monday extended his ironclad 43-year grip on power, winning an eighth term as Cameroon’s president despite making few appearances on the campaign trail.

The country’s Constitutional Council said the 92-year-old incumbent secured 53.7% of the vote, defeating main challenger Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who finished with 35.2%.

While Biya’s 11 rivals fanned out across the Central African nation to rally support ahead of the Oct. 12 election, the longtime leader largely stayed out of sight – in keeping with his image as the β€œSphinx,” a figure shrouded in secrecy and silence.

The world’s oldest sitting head of state launched his re-election bid on Sept.

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