Cameroon’s long-standing President Paul Biya, aged 92, has been officially declared the winner of the October 12 presidential election, securing 53.66% of the vote according to the Constitutional Council. His closest rival, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a former ally turned opposition candidate, garnered 35.19%. This victory extends Biya’s rule into a potential 43rd year, possibly keeping him in office until nearly 100.
The announcement has sparked widespread unrest. Opposition demonstrators clashed with security forces in multiple cities, including Douala and Garoua. In Douala, Reuters journalists witnessed police deploying tear gas as protesters—many shielding their faces—erected barricades and set tires ablaze. “We all know that the majority of Cameroon’s people voted for Issa Tchiroma Bakary,” one protester said. “It is inadmissible that President Paul Biya won in certain war zones”.
In Garoua, Tchiroma supporters claimed snipers fired at civilians near the opposition leader’s residence, prompting retaliation that damaged a nearby water tank. Tchiroma posted on Facebook that two people were killed in the incident, though he did not specify who was responsible. Reuters could not independently verify the account.
The government has not issued an immediate response to the election outcome or the allegations of irregularities. However, analysts warn of deepening instability. “We expect unrest to escalate as Cameroonians widely reject the official result,” said Francois Conradie, lead political economist at Oxford Economics. Murithi Mutiga of the International Crisis Group added, “Biya now has a notably shaky mandate given many of his own citizens don’t believe he won the election. We call on Biya to urgently initiate a national mediation to prevent further escalation”.
Biya first assumed office in 1982 and removed presidential term limits in 2008. His reelections have consistently drawn criticism over transparency and fairness. The Constitutional Council’s president, Clement Atangana, formally declared: “Hereby declared elected President of the Republic, having obtained the majority of the votes cast, the candidate, Biya, Paul”.
Tchiroma, in his late 70s, previously served as government spokesperson and employment minister. He broke ranks with Biya earlier this year and launched a vigorous campaign backed by a coalition of opposition parties and civil society groups. His challenge has galvanized significant public support, especially in urban centers and among the diaspora.
The situation remains tense, with fears of further violence and political gridlock if mediation efforts are not swiftly initiated.
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