Cameroon Faces Unrest as President Biya Moves Toward Re-Election

Protests erupted in Cameroon following early election results indicating that 92-year-old President Paul Biya is poised to secure another term in office. Security forces deployed tear gas to disperse demonstrators in both Yaounde and Garoua as tensions escalated over the reported vote counts, even though the official results are yet to be confirmed by the country’s constitutional council.

The unrest intensified on October 12, 2025, when the presidential election took place. According to reports from the news agency Reuters, the situation has become increasingly volatile as Biya approaches what could be his eighth term as president, having been in power for 43 years. Authorities have detained over 20 individuals during protests in Garoua, as announced by Paul Atanga Nji, Cameroon’s interior minister.

Demonstrations occurred across various cities, fueled by allegations of electoral fraud. On October 14, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, the 76-year-old opposition candidate, declared himself the winner and urged President Biya to concede. “Our victory is clear, it must be respected,” Tchiroma stated in a video shared on Facebook. In contrast, the ruling party, the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), dismissed Tchiroma’s assertions, accusing him of attempting to undermine the electoral process.

The preliminary results, as reported by the vote-counting commission, show Biya leading with 53.66% of the vote, while Tchiroma has 35.1%. Cabral Libii and Bello Bouba Maigari follow in third and fourth places with 3.41% and 2.45%, respectively. The electoral body, ELECAM, is anticipated to announce the final results by October 26, pending validation by the constitutional council.

Biya’s lengthy tenure makes him one of the world’s oldest leaders. He is only second to Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea as Africa’s longest-serving head of state. Since Cameroon gained independence from France in 1960, Biya has been a central figure in the country’s political landscape.

Tchiroma, a seasoned politician and leader of the Front for the National Salvation of Cameroon (FSNC), has shifted between supporting and opposing Biya throughout his career. He previously served as the minister of transport and communication before resigning in June 2025 to run for president.

As Cameroonians await the official final results, the political climate remains fraught with uncertainty. The upcoming days will prove crucial in determining the future direction of the country and the nature of its leadership under Biya or potentially a new administration led by Tchiroma.