In the wake of Cameroon’s recent presidential election, a tense and uneasy calm has settled over the country’s major cities. Streets that would normally be bustling with commerce and daily life have emptied, as citizens respond to a call for a nationwide lockdown in protest of the election results. The three-day shutdown, which began on Monday, November 3, 2025, has paralyzed economic activity in key opposition strongholds and left many Cameroonians grappling with uncertainty, fear, and mounting hardship.
According to AP and Devdiscourse, the catalyst for this dramatic pause was the announcement that President Paul Biya—at 92, the world’s oldest sitting head of state—had secured his eighth term in office following the October 12 vote. Official results declared Biya the victor, but his main challenger, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, has rejected the outcome, claiming he was the true winner. In a bold move, Tchiroma urged Cameroonians to stay home, shutter their businesses, and suspend all activities in a show of silent resistance and solidarity against what he and his supporters allege is a stolen election.
“Let us keep our shops closed, suspend our activities, remain at home in silence, to demonstrate our solidarity,” Tchiroma appealed in his public statement, as reported by AP. The response was swift and palpable. In Douala—the country’s economic engine—markets and offices fell silent, public transport ground to a halt, and the usual hum of daily life faded into an uneasy quiet. The northern cities of Maroua and Garoua, both opposition strongholds and recent flashpoints for deadly protests, also saw widespread compliance with the lockdown.
While the capital city, Yaoundé, showed only partial compliance, with some businesses continuing as usual, the effects of the lockdown were still keenly felt. Residents across the affected regions described a sudden, dramatic spike in prices for basic goods, particularly food. “Prices have gone up in ways no one anticipated,” said Celestin Mimba, a Yaoundé resident, noting that the cost of a five-liter bucket of potatoes had soared to $8.78 from just $3.50 less than a week prior, according to AP and Devdiscourse.
The economic impact has been severe. With shops closed and transport services disrupted, many families have found it increasingly difficult to make ends meet. Caroline Akuh, a food seller in Douala, shared her frustration and anxiety: “We are afraid to step out ... we are tired of this,” she told AP. The lockdown, she explained, has made it nearly impossible to earn enough to support her family.
Beyond the economic strain, the lockdown is also a symbol of solidarity and resistance for many. Amadou Adji, a resident of Garoua whose niece was among those killed in recent protests, voiced his support for the opposition’s strategy: “The lockdown is also a form of solidarity which we are showing to Tchiroma,” he said, as reported by AP.
But the cost of protest has not been limited to lost income and higher prices. The days leading up to and following the election have been marred by violence and tragedy. According to Cameroonian authorities, four people were killed during protests in the north. Yet, the civil society group Stand Up For Cameroon claims the true toll is much higher, reporting at least 23 deaths during recent clashes between demonstrators and security forces. These competing figures underscore the uncertainty and mistrust that now permeate Cameroonian society.
The government, for its part, has condemned the protests and the lockdown, accusing the opposition of attempting to sow chaos and undermine public order. Officials have framed the opposition’s actions as a direct threat to national stability, warning of dire consequences should the unrest continue. Meanwhile, opposition supporters and civil society groups have accused the authorities of heavy-handedness and efforts to silence political dissent. The result is an increasingly polarized landscape, with both sides digging in and little sign of compromise on the horizon.
This standoff has deep roots. President Biya’s hold on power stretches back over four decades, making him one of Africa’s—and the world’s—longest-serving leaders. While supporters point to his experience and the stability he has brought to Cameroon, critics argue that his rule has stifled democratic development and suppressed opposition voices. The latest election, with its allegations of fraud and subsequent crackdown on dissent, has only deepened these divisions.
The economic consequences of the lockdown have rippled far beyond the immediate protest zones. Douala, as Cameroon’s largest city and commercial hub, plays a critical role in the country’s economy. The near-total halt of commercial activities there has threatened supply chains and livelihoods not just locally, but nationwide. Transport disruptions have further isolated communities, making it difficult for goods and services to move and exacerbating shortages. For many ordinary Cameroonians, the prospect of prolonged unrest and economic hardship is a source of growing anxiety.
At the same time, the dramatic price hikes for staples like potatoes in Yaoundé highlight the vulnerability of everyday citizens to political turmoil. With incomes already stretched thin, even modest increases in food prices can have devastating effects. “People are suffering,” one resident remarked, capturing a sentiment echoed in markets and homes across the country.
Despite the risks, many opposition supporters see the lockdown as a necessary stand against what they perceive as an illegitimate regime. The silent streets and shuttered shops are, for them, a powerful statement—one that speaks louder than words or even the ballot box. Yet, the question remains: how long can this standoff persist before the economic and social costs become too great for the population to bear?
International observers have expressed concern about the situation, noting the potential for further escalation if dialogue is not restored. The specter of broader destabilization looms, especially as accusations of governmental crackdowns and attempts to silence dissent continue to circulate. Cameroon’s history is replete with periods of unrest and contested elections, but the current crisis feels particularly acute given the president’s advanced age, the scale of the opposition’s mobilization, and the economic pressures bearing down on the country.
For now, Cameroonians wait—some in their homes, others in reopened markets, all wondering what the coming days will bring. The outcome of this standoff may well shape the nation’s political and economic trajectory for years to come. In the meantime, the silence of Cameroon’s cities serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes at play when democracy, livelihoods, and lives hang in the balance.
