As Cameroon's political landscape teeters on the edge, the arrest of key opposition leaders and a wave of protests have cast a shadow over the country's contested presidential election. With official results expected on Monday, October 27, 2025, tensions have escalated, raising questions over the future of democracy in this Central African nation.
Late on Friday, October 24, 2025, Cameroonian security forces detained two prominent opposition leaders, Anicet Ekane and Djeukam Tchameni, in Douala, the country’s bustling economic hub. Both men are top figures in the Union for Change political platform, which has rallied behind presidential hopeful Issa Tchiroma Bakary. The arrests, described by the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM) as more akin to "kidnappings," were carried out by "hooded and armed" members of an elite military force, according to a statement from the opposition coalition. The two men were taken from their homes to an undisclosed location—a move that has left supporters and family members in the dark and stoked fears of further crackdowns.
But the sweep wasn’t limited to just the highest-profile figures. MANIDEM reported that its treasurer and other party members were also detained by local security forces, a tactic the party claims is meant "to intimidate Cameroonians" awaiting the election results. The Movement for Democracy and Interdependence (MDI), another member of the Union for Change coalition, echoed these concerns, accusing the government of "gross manipulation" and "political intimidation." In a separate statement, the MDI criticized the spread of "false information... suggesting that weapons or fake electoral records had been found at Tchameni's home."
According to the Associated Press, these arrests are part of a broader sweep, with Cameroonian gendarmes detaining more than 20 opposition members in Douala ahead of the anticipated announcement of election results. The Ministry of Defense has remained silent about the reasons behind the arrests, fueling speculation and anxiety among opposition supporters.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. The October 12, 2025, presidential election has been one of the most fiercely contested in Cameroon's modern history. Incumbent President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest serving head of state at 92, has ruled since 1982 and is widely expected to be declared the winner for another seven-year term. However, opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary has challenged Biya’s grip on power, claiming to have secured a decisive victory. According to Tchiroma, results collated by his party show he won 54.8 percent of the vote, compared to Biya’s 31.3 percent. Biya’s party, the RDPC, has dismissed these claims as "a grotesque hoax" and "an unacceptable fraud in a state of law," stating they are "calmly awaiting the official results."
With tensions running high, opposition supporters have taken to the streets in recent days to demand a credible election process. On Saturday, October 25, 2025, protests erupted in Bafoussam, the capital of the West Region, where motorcyclists flooded major roads, calling for transparency and fairness. Earlier in the week, similar demonstrations in other cities led to clashes with security forces, resulting in multiple arrests. Tragedy struck in Garoua, northern Cameroon, where a 30-year-old primary schoolteacher named Zairatou Hassana was killed. Authorities confirmed she was not participating in the protests but was out checking on her sister, who had not returned from school. Her uncle, Amadou Adji, told the Associated Press, "Her death makes me keep a bad souvenir of this regime like all other Cameroonians."
In response to the mounting unrest, Cameroonian officials have banned all protests and restricted the movement of motorcycle taxis in several cities, hoping to prevent further escalation. The government has justified these measures on the grounds of public safety. Paul Atanga Nji, Minister of Territorial Administration, told reporters that several people were arrested during the week for allegedly plotting violent attacks disguised as protests. "Their planned modus operandi is to infiltrate groups of protesters and commit terrorist attacks, leading to the loss of human lives which will later be attributed to the forces of law and order," he stated, though he offered no further details.
The government’s communication strategy has also come under scrutiny. René Emmanuel Sadi, Communication Minister and government spokesperson, called on journalists to avoid "fanning the flames" and instead play a role in "calming and strengthening democracy" in Cameroon. "The media play a structuring role in shaping public opinion in any democratic society," Sadi said. "Acting in this way is neither a denial nor a dilution of the sacred principle of press freedom, which is central to democracy and the rule of law."
Meanwhile, opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary has remained defiant. On Friday, he hinted at attempts to arrest him, warning on Facebook that such a move would be "an assault against the entire Cameroonian people." He has repeatedly called for peaceful protests, urging supporters to mobilize if the Constitutional Council announces what he describes as "falsified and distorted results." In a bold move, Tchiroma called for a nationwide march on Sunday at 3 p.m. "to show the world that it is the people who choose their leader." The government, however, has painted these calls as incitement to insurrection.
As if the political turmoil weren’t enough, Cameroonians have also faced significant disruptions to internet access in recent days. According to internet monitor NetBlocks, these outages "could limit coverage of events on the ground amid calls to annul the presidential election results." The timing of the disruptions has raised suspicions among activists and observers, who fear that the blackout is intended to stifle the flow of information and hinder the organization of further protests.
With the Constitutional Council poised to announce the final election results, the country stands at a crossroads. The opposition, emboldened by what it claims is a popular mandate, warns against any attempt to rig the outcome. The government, meanwhile, insists on law and order, cracking down on dissent and restricting public gatherings. For many ordinary Cameroonians, the uncertainty is palpable. The death of Zairatou Hassana, the arrests of opposition figures, and the internet shutdowns have all contributed to a climate of fear and mistrust.
As the clock ticks toward Monday’s announcement, all eyes are on Cameroon. The outcome will not only determine the country’s next leader but may also set the tone for its democratic future. For now, Cameroonians wait—anxious, wary, and hoping that their voices will be heard.
