Cameroon’s 2025 presidential election has ended in controversy, with incumbent President Paul Biya—now 92 years old—declared the provisional winner by the National Vote Counting Commission, securing 53% of the vote according to official tallies. His main challenger, Issa Tchiroma of the Cameroon National Salvation Front, finished second with 35% and immediately cried foul, alleging widespread electoral fraud and declaring himself the victor in a social media post before official results were released.
A Tense Election and Unrest
The election, held on October 12, 2025, was marked by heightened tensions even before the first ballot was cast. Biya, who has ruled Cameroon since 1982, faced legal challenges over his eligibility due to his advanced age and health, but the Constitutional Council allowed his candidacy to proceed. Opposition candidate Akere Muna had petitioned to disqualify Biya, citing concerns about his fitness for office, but the effort was unsuccessful.
In the days following the vote, protests erupted in several cities, including Douala and Garoua, as Tchiroma’s supporters took to the streets to denounce what they called a rigged election. The offices of Biya’s ruling party, the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (RDPC), were set ablaze in Dschang, and an armed vigil was established outside Tchiroma’s residence in Garoua. At least 20 protesters were arrested nationwide, and tragically, a teacher was reportedly shot dead by police during demonstrations in Garoua on October 21.
Competing Claims and Electoral Irregularities
The electoral process itself has come under intense scrutiny. The Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, which monitored the vote, reported several irregularities, including the relocation of polling stations and failure to update the electoral register, which still listed deceased individuals. These issues have fueled skepticism about the integrity of the results.
Tchiroma released his own tallies claiming a
60% victory, but government officials dismissed these figures as baseless, with Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji warning that unauthorized release of results would be considered “high treason”. Grégoire Owona, deputy secretary-general of the RDPC, accused Tchiroma of attempting to destabilize the country with support from “occult networks”.
Broader Context: A Nation Divided
Cameroon’s political landscape remains deeply fractured, with ongoing separatist violence in the Anglophone regions and a history of contested elections. The government has previously responded to dissent with internet shutdowns and heavy-handed security measures, and the current unrest suggests that these tensions are far from resolved
Sources
1. 2025 Cameroonian presidential election - Wikipedia
2. [PDF] CAMEROON'S UNFOLDING CATASTROPHE
3. Cameroon's 92-year-old Paul Biya Wins Re-election After ... - YouTube
4. Eastern Region - GhanaRegions.com
