The world’s oldest head of state, Paul Biya, extended his more than four-decade rule, securing an eighth term in Cameroon’s presidential poll, the Constitutional Council announced Monday, results which his rival swiftly rejected.

Biya, 92, was re-elected with 53.7 percent of the vote in the central African country, according to official results announced by the council, while former government minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary came second with 35.2 percent.

Tchiroma quickly denounced the announcement of Biya’s win, telling AFP that “there was no election; it was rather a masquerade. We won unequivocally”.

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

A rally outside his home in the northern city of Garoua turned de

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