Cameroon’s political system has long defied easy classification. Though officially a democracy, many analysts describe it as a semi-authoritarian regime built to conserve power and keep President Paul Biya in office at all costs.
From the turbulent return to multiparty politics in the 1990s, to the violent protests of 2008, the Anglophone crisis of 2016, and the disputed 2018 election, the regime has consistently reacted to dissent with repression.
The 2025 presidential election, widely viewed as another case of electoral fraud, has reignited unrest as citizens reject continued rule by an aging and absent leader. The government’s violent response has drawn sharp condemnation from the UN, EU, and AU, which are demanding accountability for civilian deaths and urging respect for human rights and democratic norms.
In an October 30, 2025 statement, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed “deep concern” over reports of multiple deaths and demanded “prompt, impartial, and effective investigations” into all cases of electoral violence, including the “excessive or disproportionate” use of force, with perpetrators brought to justice. High Commissioner Volker Türk, who described Mr. Biya’s re-election as “unsurprising,” also insisted that, demonstrators be allowed to express their discontent peacefully. The French Embassy, for its part, called for the immediate release of all individuals arbitrarily detained since the start of the electoral process.
Similarly, European Union Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Anouar El Anouni, deplored the violent repression of demonstrations on October 26 and 27, 2025, which resulted in several civilian deaths by gunfire.
African Union Commission Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, echoing UN Secretary-General António Guterres, expressed deep concern over the arrests and called for “inclusive dialogue” among political actors to promote national cohesion. None of the statements provided figures on the death toll.
But on October 28, 2025, Issa Tchiroma’s lawyers including Me Dior Diagne, Me Jemal Telab, Me P.M. Felix Sow, Me Moustapha Ndoye, Me Éric Diamantis, Me Benjamin Grundler, Me Claude Coelho, and Me Augustin Ngefack, told a press conference in Paris, that the death toll had reached 64 and want an international probe into those responsible for the killing of civilians. They said they were compiling a list of Cameroon government officials to be dragged to the International Criminal Court, ICC.
Taking Note, Not Congratulating Biya
Apart from a few African countries — including Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Algeria, the Central African Republic, and Chad — which have congratulated Mr. Biya, most international actors such as the EU, AU, Canada, and France have merely “took note” of the October 12, 2025, presidential election results announced by the country’s Constitutional Council on October 27. This notable shift avoids the usual congratulatory language often used in the past to praise Cameroon’s democratic progress.
According to business lawyer and political analyst Dr. David Makongo, the international community’s cautious tone reflects awareness of what he termed “the electoral burglary” that took place.
“They have only taken note of the announcement of election results, not the election of Mr. Biya as president,” Dr. Makongo explained. “This omission or silence on such an important detail must be giving Biya and his supporters sleepless nights. They did not congratulate him as usual for another mandate, nor celebrate him as the world’s oldest president — older than the internet, the atomic bomb, and even the United Nations.”
Dr Makongo, added that, instead of sending flowers, the international community has focused on “serious crimes committed against protesters,” urging accountability, respect for democracy, human rights, and the rule of law following the “burglary” of the presidential election.
Most diplomatic missions did not even bother to be present on October 27 at the Constitutional Council, where the results of the October 12 presidential elections were announced. It is not clear how many world leaders would be present at the swearing in ceremony.
Presidency Desperate for Congratulatory Messages
Since Mr. Biya was declared winner of the October 12 elections, authorities in Yaoundé have appeared eager to showcase any congratulatory messages received from Cameroon’s partners. The Director of the Civil Cabinet, Samuel Mvondo Ayolo, has been quick to post messages of support — particularly from election participants and leaders of countries such as Guinea, Chad, Gabon, and the Central African Republic. There was visible jubilation when a congratulatory message from Russian President Vladimir Putin was delivered through his embassy in Yaoundé.
However, the Directorate of the Civil Cabinet at Cameroon’s presidency has remained silent and did not publish statements like the ones from the UN and EU among others, demanding accountability for the killing of unarmed civilians.
Who Is Responsible for the Killings?
The wave of international condemnation, follows multiple media reports of abductions and arrests of frontline politicians and opinion leaders, including Ekane Anicet, Djeukam Tchameni, Aba Oyono, and others close to the FNSC President, Issa Tchiroma.
When the post-electoral demonstrations broke out, videos and photos circulated online showing civilians being brutalized and, in some cases, shot. On the third day of protests, footage surfaced of soldiers from the Second Military Combined Region (REMIA2) clearing roads and also beating up civilians in Douala and Garoua.
For such troop deployments, analysts argue, authorization must have come from the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces — President Paul Biya himself.
In addition, Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, who oversees governors and divisional officers, may also bear some responsibility. Atanga Nji, who has described himself as both a Moulinex (blender) and a Sheriff, also serves as the Permanent Secretary of the National Security Council. His press appearances are often marked by threats of arrest and torture against anyone who dares to speak out against fraud. As Minister of Territorial Administration, he directly oversees the Governors, Senior Divisional Officers (SDOs), and Divisional Officers (DOs). These officials, in turn, control the security forces within their respective jurisdictions and coordinate the deployment of the National Police (DGSN), the National Gendarmerie (SED), the Rapid Intervention Brigade (BIR), and the conventional Armed Forces (CEMA) in the event of unrest.
The editor of the online platform, Cameroon News Agency, CNA, in a report state that the security sector in Cameroon is characterized not by a streamlined, unified hierarchy, but by a personalized, hyper-centralized structure deliberately crafted to ensure regime longevity. Hanson Nfor Nchanji, states that key leadership positions are currently held by long-serving and politically pivotal figures:
- The Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence (MINDEF) is BETI ASSOMO Joseph.
- The Delegate General for National Security (DGSN) is MBARGA NGUELE Martin.
- The Secretary of State to the Minister of Defence in charge of the National Gendarmerie (SED/CGN) is ETOGA Galax Yves Landry.
- The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces (CEMA) is General René Claude Meka.
- The General Coordinator of the Rapid Intervention Brigade (BIR) is Brigadier General Pelene Francois.
There is also the counter-espionage service, the Direction Générale des Renseignements Extérieurs (DGRE), which specializes in covert operations both domestically and abroad. The DGRE is the agency reportedly responsible for the arrest of Ekane and Djeukam.
ICC May Soon Knock on Cameroon’s Door
Given the current situation, we cannot rule out the possibility that, at some point, the international community may be forced to bring government officials before the International Criminal Court. Alternatively, the court may decide to prosecute suspects. The speed with which global actors condemned the recent killings and repression must have sent a strong message to those in power. We can as well recall similar instances in Cameroon’s recent history during which civilians were killed with impunity.
In 2005–2006, during the University of Buea protests, helicopter gunships were deployed to violently suppress student demonstrators. In 2008, during protests against the constitutional amendment to remove presidential term limits—which would allow President Biya to stand for re-election—protesters were brutally massacred in Douala. Reports indicated that the regime used boats to remove the bodies of those who jumped into the river when the old Wouri Bridge was blocked at both ends. It was in April 2008 that the Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR) was first publicly deployed.
Again, on September 22, 2017, during the escalation of the Anglophone crisis, the government deployed helicopter gunships to fire on peaceful protesters, particularly around the Molyko Stadium in Buea, Southwest Region. The regime has consistently used soldiers to remove the bodies of those killed .Amid the current 2025 unrest, soldiers from the Second Military Combined Region (REMIA 2) were seen in videos dumping corpses into trucks. Corpses were also seen at the Gendarmerie Brigade in Bertoua, East Region. There are video footages that shows soldiers placing bodies into trucks in the Bilongue neighbourhood of Douala.
With these disturbing and recurrent killing of civilians by the Biya Regime, Issa TChiroma Bakari’s lawyers have announced that they are compiling a list of government officials who could be brought before the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity. The regime may be required to account not only for those killed during the 2025 post election violence but also for decades of unaccounted deaths in Cameroon.
Amid enforced disappearances, cases like that of journalist Samuel Wazizi, whose body has never been recovered, raise urgent questions about accountability. The international community may ultimately take legal action to seek justice for these violations.
By Solomon Amabo
