As ageing presidents continue to hold onto power in the face of mounting calls for change, political tension is rising throughout parts of Africa. As democratic institutions struggle under the weight of protracted incumbency, citizens in Ivory Coast, Cameroon, and Uganda are growing more and more irritated with leaders who have held office for decades, some well into their 80s and 90s.

 
In an election characterised by low turnout and the exclusion of important opposition figures, 83-year-old President Alassane Ouattara of Ivory Coast recently won a fourth term in office with nearly 90% of the vote. Candidates like Laurent Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam were disqualified from the race, according to Polity.org.za, which raised questions about political exhaustion and democratic credibility.

Critics contend that the vote represents a concerning trend of constitutional manipulation, despite the fact that the post-election atmosphere is still calm.

 
President Paul Biya, who is currently 92 years old, was declared the winner of the recent elections in Cameroon, securing an eighth term. In cities like Douala and Garoua, his reelection sparked violent protests where security forces and opposition supporters clashed. Demonstrators criticised the results and charged the government with electoral fraud, resulting in at least four fatalities and numerous injuries. Al Jazeera claims that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary had proclaimed victory ahead of the official results, raising tensions in a nation already dealing with separatist strife.

Yoweri Museveni, 81, has been the president of Uganda since 1986. He secured indefinite rule by removing age and term limits through constitutional amendments. His extended term, according to civil society organisations, has eroded democratic institutions and consolidated power in the hands of a declining elite.

 
A wider generational gap is reflected in these flashpoints. Transparency, term limits, and true democratic participation are being demanded by young Africans, many of whom have never known another leader. As protests grow louder, the question remains: Will these elder statesmen heed the calls for change, or will the pressure from the streets force a new chapter in leadership?