CAMEROON: Polls opened in Cameroon today in an election that could see Africa’s oldest leader extend his rule by another seven years.

President Paul Biya faces nine opposition candidates, including some former allies and appointees. They include Bello Bouba Maigari, who was minister for tourism, and Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who served as the minister of employment.

The results are expected by October 26.

SEYCHELLES: Opposition leader Patrick Herminie won the presidential election in Seychelles, defeating incumbent leader Wavel Ramkalawan in a run-off vote, according to official results released today.

Mr Herminie won 52.7 per cent of the vote, with Mr Ramkalawan taking 47.3 per cent.

Mr Herminie represents the United Seychelles party, which led the country for four decades before it lost power in 2020. It was the governing party from 1977 to 2020.

ESTONIA: Estonia has temporarily closed access for its citizens to a road they normally use that passes through a stretch of Russian territory, after the interior minister reported on a group of around 10 Russian soldiers standing there, Estonia’s public broadcaster said today.

MADAGASCAR: An attempted coup is underway in Madagascar, the country’s president said today, a day after members of an elite army unit joined youth-led protests against the government and called for the president to step down.

Madagascar has been shaken by three weeks of huge protests led by a group calling itself “Gen Z Madagascar.”

The United Nations says at least 22 people have been killed and dozens injured during the protests although the government has disputed this number.