Cameroon’s political landscape has been thrown into turmoil following the country’s contentious presidential election held on October 12, 2025. President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest head of state at 92, was officially declared the winner for an unprecedented eighth term, extending his 43-year rule. But the aftermath of the vote has been marked by mass protests, deadly crackdowns, widespread arrests, and a government-imposed internet blackout, all of which have drawn condemnation from both domestic and international observers.
The official results, announced by the Constitutional Council of Cameroon on October 27, 2025, awarded Biya 53.7% of the vote, far ahead of his main challenger, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who was credited with 35.2%. Yet Bakary, a former government minister who energized a youthful opposition movement, has steadfastly rejected the outcome. He insists he is the true winner, claiming to have received roughly 54.8% of the vote. Bakary and his coalition have denounced the process as rigged, citing widespread irregularities, ballot-stuffing, delays, and the exclusion of voters in key regions.
“There are now two presidents—the president elected by the Cameroonian people (me) and the president appointed by the Constitutional Council (whom you know),” Bakary wrote on social media, as reported by AFP. His call to protest the results sparked a wave of unrest that quickly spread to major cities including Douala, Garoua, and the capital Yaoundé.
Protests erupted almost immediately after the results were announced, with demonstrators taking to the streets to demand a fair count. The government’s response was swift and forceful. According to the National Human Rights Commission, at least 14 people were killed in clashes between security forces and protesters, though some institutions have reported higher death tolls. Over 1,200 people were arrested, including prominent opposition figures such as Anicet Ekane, Djeukam Tchameni, and law professor Aba’a Oyono. Some detainees now face the possibility of being tried by military tribunal, a move that has alarmed both local and international human rights groups.
Bakary, meanwhile, has pushed for continued civil resistance through “ghost town” operations—calls for businesses to close and citizens to stay home in protest. The impact has been especially pronounced in northern cities like Garoua, Bakary’s hometown and political stronghold, where shops and markets have largely remained shuttered. “We will not open, we accept this [ghost town] order they have given,” trader Ousmanou Ibrahima told BBC, voicing support for Bakary’s claim to the presidency. For many, however, the protest has come at a steep cost. “Things have been very hard over the past three days, and we cannot eat what we want because we have no money,” taxi driver Abdulkarim Nassirou explained, underscoring the economic hardship faced by ordinary citizens.
In contrast, compliance with the ghost town order has been far less in Yaoundé, where daily life continues for many. “I cannot stay at home,” one fruit seller told BBC, noting that her livelihood depends on being able to work. The government has actively encouraged citizens to ignore calls for insurrection and civil disobedience, with administrative officials taking to the streets to reassure business owners and encourage them to keep their doors open.
The unrest has also led to significant disruptions of internet access across the country. On November 5, 2025, internet monitor NetBlocks reported that major social media platforms including TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Telegram were restricted. This marked the second internet blackout during the election crisis; a previous shutdown occurred on October 23 as Biya’s re-election appeared imminent. Amnesty International condemned the blackouts as violations of basic human rights, arguing that cutting off internet access during protests prevents citizens from accessing vital information and stifles dissent. “Imposing internet shutdowns, especially when people are protesting, stops important information from reaching citizens—such as how to find areas of safety or contact emergency services,” the organization stated.
International reaction has been swift and critical. The European Union, African Union, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights have all condemned the violent crackdown on protesters and called for independent investigations into the deaths and arrests. The International Crisis Group warned that “with neither side willing to back down, the risks of worsening unrest are high.”
Perhaps most notably, U.S. Senator Jim Risch, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a pointed statement on November 5, 2025, publicly questioning the legitimacy of the election and calling for a reassessment of the U.S.–Cameroon relationship. Risch described the Biya regime as “corrupt,” accused it of enabling illicit activities and creating conditions for terrorist groups, and warned that it was jeopardizing U.S. economic and security interests. His remarks signaled a possible shift in Washington’s traditionally close relationship with Cameroon—a relationship underscored by recent high-level visits, including a September meeting between Biya and the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Commander and Ambassador Christopher John Lamora.
In his inaugural address on November 6, 2025, Biya struck a defiant tone. Offering condolences to the victims of the unrest, he blamed “irresponsible politicians” for the violence and praised the electoral body ELECAM for its handling of the vote, despite mounting allegations of fraud. “I can assure you, order will reign,” Biya promised, urging citizens to unite behind him to build a “united, stable, and prosperous” country. He also pledged to address issues affecting women and youth and reaffirmed his commitment to tackling corruption and security challenges.
Yet critics argue that Biya’s iron-fisted approach to governance has only deepened divisions and stifled hopes for democratic change. Since coming to power in 1982, he has maintained control in the face of social upheaval, economic inequality, and separatist violence. The opposition, for its part, continues to resist the official results and calls for international sanctions against Cameroonian officials involved in the crackdown.
As Biya embarks on another seven-year term, Cameroonians remain deeply divided over the future of their country. The mass protests, internet shutdowns, and international outcry have laid bare the challenges facing a nation struggling to reconcile calls for change with a deeply entrenched political order. For now, the streets of Cameroon’s cities are quieter, but the underlying tensions remain unresolved, leaving many to wonder what comes next in this long and turbulent chapter of Cameroonian history.
