Tensions are running high across Cameroon as the nation anxiously awaits the official results of its October 12, 2025, presidential election—a contest already marked by allegations of fraud, fiery protests, and a burning sense of uncertainty. In a country where political transitions have historically been fraught with suspicion and unrest, this year’s vote is shaping up to be no exception.
On the night of October 15, the political climate took a dramatic turn when the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), the governing party, reported that its office in the western city of Dschang was set ablaze. According to the Associated Press, videos of the burning building quickly spread across social media and local news, fueling speculation and anger on all sides. In response, Jean Nkuete, the party’s secretary general, vowed, “The party will initiate legal action against the individuals found guilty of the fire.”
This act of arson came amid a surge of protests in several cities, most notably in Douala, the economic capital. There, dozens of demonstrators erected barricades and set them on fire, prompting security forces to respond with tear gas and water cannons. The unrest was sparked by opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary’s bold claim of victory earlier in the week, and his call for President Paul Biya—the world’s oldest sitting president at 92—to concede defeat.
The ruling party flatly rejected Tchiroma’s assertion, accusing him of trying to disrupt the electoral process. Meanwhile, Tchiroma and his supporters pointed to what they described as “signs of vote tampering,” echoing concerns voiced by civil society groups about attempted ballot stuffing and other irregularities. As News Central TV reported, “Opposition figures, civil society organisations and even sections of the international community are urging authorities to respect what they call ‘the truth of the ballot.’ They argue that transparency is key to avoiding unrest.”
Despite the mounting tensions, no deaths or injuries had been reported as of October 16. Still, the situation remained volatile. Police in Douala arrested about 20 people who allegedly tried to force their way into the office of Elections Cameroon (ELECAM), the independent electoral management body, and reportedly attacked employees. The Prefect of Wouri, Sylyac Marie Mvogo, told state-run radio CRTV, “We don’t want people taking the law into their own hands. There are competent authorities responsible for handling election matters.”
In an attempt to restore order, authorities in Douala banned public gatherings after hundreds of supporters rallied outside Tchiroma’s home. These supporters claimed they were protecting their candidate from alleged plans for his arrest, while his party accused the government of trying to silence dissent. Heavily armed security forces have been deployed across major cities, including Douala, Chang, Yaoundé, and Garoua. While the government insists this is to maintain order, many citizens view the show of force as a form of intimidation.
Against this tense backdrop, ELECAM announced the establishment of a commission for the general counting of votes, which includes representatives from all presidential candidates, the judiciary, and the administration. However, skepticism remains high. Citizen-led platforms have taken matters into their own hands, releasing parallel tallies based on data from polling stations and claiming to present a more accurate reflection of the people’s will. At least 11 petitions contesting aspects of the electoral process have already been filed before the Constitutional Council. Legal experts caution, however, that the Council’s powers are limited: it can only uphold or annul the election, not declare a winner outright.
The delay in announcing official results—expected by October 26—has only intensified public frustration. Many Cameroonians are questioning why, in an era of advanced digital technology, the country still waits up to two weeks for results. For some, the wait brings back bitter memories of the disputed 1992 and 2018 elections, when allegations of manipulation and fraud cast long shadows over the outcomes.
President Paul Biya, who has ruled Cameroon since 1982, is no stranger to such controversies. Now 92, Biya is the world’s oldest president and only the second to lead Cameroon since it gained independence from France in 1960. His long tenure has been marked by both stability and persistent challenges, including a deadly secessionist movement in the west and chronic corruption that has stifled the country’s development, despite its rich reserves of oil and minerals.
This year’s election saw 11 opposition candidates on the ballot, though analysts predicted Biya would likely prevail, given the opposition’s divided front and the barring of his strongest rival from running in August. Tchiroma, a former government spokesperson and employment minister under Biya, left the administration earlier this year to mount his own presidential bid. His campaign drew large crowds and the support of a coalition of opposition parties and civic groups, signaling a real appetite for change among segments of the population.
As the days tick by and the official results remain elusive, the mood on the streets is one of anxious anticipation. According to News Central TV, “The coming days could determine whether Cameroon moves towards reconciliation and better governance or slides into deeper instability.” Reports from Douala and Chang indicate that some pro-government voices have praised the military for quelling demonstrations, but analysts warn that suppressing dissent could backfire, deepening the government’s legitimacy crisis and eroding public trust in institutions.
International observers and local civil society alike are calling for transparency, restraint, and respect for the electoral process. The stakes could hardly be higher: with nearly 30 million people watching and waiting, the outcome of this election—and the way it is handled—may well set the course for Cameroon’s political future. Will the nation find a path toward peaceful reconciliation, or will the current crisis spiral into deeper instability?
The answer, it seems, will depend not just on who is ultimately declared the winner, but on whether the process is seen as credible by the people of Cameroon. For now, all eyes remain fixed on Yaoundé, where the Constitutional Council is expected to break the deadlock in the coming week. Until then, Cameroon holds its breath, hoping for peace but bracing for whatever comes next.
