Cameroon’s 92-year-old President Paul Biya, head of the nation’s armed forces, has deployed soldiers, tanks and snipers across multiple towns and cities to quell violent unrest following the announcement of his re-election.
On October 27, 2025, the Constitutional Council declared President Paul Biya the winner of the October 12 presidential election, securing 53.66% of the vote against opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who officially received 35.19%.
Biya won in six of Cameroon’s seven regions, including the two English-speaking regions that have endured an eight-year armed conflict, a conflict his 43 year old regime has been unable to handle.
Analysts and opposition groups have questioned the credibility of these results, citing widespread allegations of fraud and voter intimidation. Questions have also been raised about why soldiers would be deployed following a victory that should instead be a cause for general celebration.
Protests Erupt Nationwide
Within minutes of the official proclamation in Yaoundé, thousands of protesters — mostly youths — took to the streets in several cities, erecting barricades, clashing with security forces, and torching administrative buildings.
In Douala, the epicenter of the demonstrations, soldiers from the Second Combined Military Region (REMIA2) were deployed to neighborhoods such as Brazzaville. Videos circulating on social media show soldiers arresting civilians and forcing them into armored vehicles. They were also seen clearing the barricades that had been erected.
Several petrol stations, including Bokom and Tradex, in different areas in Douala, were vandalized or set ablaze amid looting.
Tchiroma’s Home Under Siege
In the country’s northern regions — Adamawa, North, and Far North — soldiers have been heavily deployed, particularly around the residence of opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who insists he won the election.
Tchiroma claimed in a statement that snippers in civilian clothing were stationed on a building opposite his home, while police and gendarmes had blocked all access points.
He also reported that two of the young civilians guarding his residence were shot dead by security forces. Despite the intimidation, local supporters continue to maintain a civilian guard around the property.
Yaoundé Joins Protests
Although the capital remained largely calm before the results were announced, violence soon spread to Obili and Biyem-Assi, neighborhoods with large Anglophone and Muslim populations. Following Biya’s victory declaration, protesters erected barricades around the Yaoundé Sports Complex, clashing with security forces.
Reports indicate several protesters were shot dead in Douala and northern towns as security forces moved to disperse demonstrations. It was difficult to determine how many people were killed in the clashes or shot by soldiers at the time of reporting, though videos from some towns suggest the death toll could reach dozens or scores. Concordant reports indicate that local Elections Cameroons, Elecam and Divisional Offices were touched in the West and North Regions, respectively.
Protests against Biya’s extended rule have also erupted beyond Cameroon’s borders. In South Africa, demonstrators gathered at the Cameroonian Embassy in Pretoria, denouncing decades of repression. Similar rallies took place at Cameroon’s embassies in Washington, D.C., and Calgary, Canada.
Mixed Reactions and Biya’s Response
Despite the controversy, Biya has received congratulatory messages from some opposition figures who took part in the elections, including Cabral Libii of the PCRN and Denis Atangana of the FDC political parties. CDU’s candidate, Tomaino Ndam Njoya condemned the elections as undemocratic. Front line civil society leader and anti-corruption crusader, Barrister Akere Muna in a statement said, the entire electoral framework is a captive instrument intended to maintain Paul Biya in power. He wondered aloud why for example, his ballot papers were still found in polling stations more than a week after he withdrew his participation in the elections. Barrister Akere Muna called for the immediate release of all political detainees. and for the regime to initiate genuine dialogue.
In a Facebook post, Biya expressed sympathy for those who lost their lives in the post-election violence, calling for calm and national unity. There were pockets of celebrations of his victory in some areas around the country as he brazes up to take an umpteenth oath of office.!
Official Results per Region (as published by the Constitutional Council)
1) Adamaoua : Paul Biya : 34,61% vs Issa Tchiroma : 50,33%
2) Centre : Paul Biya 70,14% vs Issa Tchiroma 21,62%
3) East : Paul Biya 73,88% vs Issa Tchiroma 19,82%
4) Extreme-North : Paul Biya 45,93% vs Issa Tchiroma 42,34%
5) Littoral : Paul Biya 20,99% vs Issa Tchiroma 64,59%
6) North : Paul Biya 38,78% vs Issa Tchiroma 43,51%
7) Nord-West : Paul Biya 86,31% vs Issa Tchiroma 5,21%
8) West : Paul Biya 38,61% vs Issa Tchiroma 46,76%
9) South : Paul Biya 90,86% vs Issa Tchiroma 6%
10) South-West : Paul Biya 68,79% vs Issa Tchiroma 22,79%
OTHER ZONES
11) Africa: Paul Biya 34,13% vs Issa Tchiroma 54,99%
12) Americas : Paul Biya 25,67% vs Issa Tchiroma 66,75%
13) Asia : Paul Biya 24,09% vs Issa Tchiroma 68,21%
14) Europe : Paul Biya 22,63% vs Issa Tchiroma 62,79%
Total : Paul Biya 53,66% vs Issa Tchiroma 35,19% – Paul Biya reelected President of the Republic.
Candidate Classification :
1) Biya Paul 53,66%,
2) Issa Tchiroma 35,19%,
3) Libii Ngue Cabral 3,41%,
4) Bello Bouba 2,45%,
5) Hermine Tomaino Ndam Njoya 1,66%,
6) Osih Joshua 1,21%,
7) Ateki Sata 0,87%,
8)Iyodi 0,40%,
9) Serge Matomba 0,35%,
10) Jacques Bougha 0,30%,
11) Pierre Kwemo 0,28%,
12) Akere Muna 0,22%