Autocracies in transition: In 2025, Cameroon and Tanzania rulers clung to power — but look more vulnerable than ever

By: Yonatan Morse, University of Connecticut, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: December 19, 2025

Words: 1,521

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 1 day ago

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By Yonatan Morse, University of Connecticut

Autocratic leaders in Africa like their numbers to be in the high 90s, it appears.

In October, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan won a highly dubious 98% of the presidential vote, perpetuating the ruling party’s grip on power to 60 years. During the same month, Cameroonian President Paul Biya, who has ruled the country since 1982, secured an unprecedented eighth term in office. It will allow him to …

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