Cameroon’s Constitutional Council on Monday declared long-serving President Paul Biya the winner of the October 12 election, securing another term in office despite mounting public anger and violent protests that left at least four people dead.

Biya, 92, who has ruled the Central African nation since 1982, was announced to have won 53.66% of the vote. His main challenger and former ally, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, received 35.19%.

The announcement came after a tense weekend marked by clashes between opposition supporters and security forces. On Sunday, in the economic capital Douala, four protesters were reportedly shot dead as crowds took to the streets demanding what they called credible election results. Demonstrations also erupted in cities such as Garoua and Maroua in the north.

Dozens of opposition activists and leaders had been detained in the days leading up to Monday’s ruling. Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji said authorities had arrested individuals allegedly plotting violent attacks.

Tchiroma had earlier claimed victory based on figures he said were compiled by his campaign team, but Biya’s camp dismissed the allegation as baseless.

Biya’s re-election extends a presidency that has spanned over four decades. Over 70% of Cameroon’s nearly 30 million citizens are under 35, making Biya older than most of the country’s population. His decision to seek another term has ignited frustration, particularly among younger voters who accuse him of stifling political competition and manipulating state institutions.

During Biya’s tenure, Cameroon has faced multiple crises, including Boko Haram insurgency attacks in the north and a violent separatist conflict in the English-speaking regions of the North West and South West. The latter has claimed nearly 7,000 lives and displaced more than one million people.

Despite being an oil-producing nation with modest economic growth, many young Cameroonians say they have been excluded from economic opportunities. While the official unemployment rate stands at 3.5% according to the World Bank, an estimated 57% of workers aged 18 to 35 remain in informal employment.

Biya’s health and long absences abroad have frequently raised speculation about governance stability. Critics argue he has presided over a decline from relative stability into chronic unrest and growing inequality.