As Cameroon stands on the precipice of another pivotal political moment, the streets of its largest cities have become battlegrounds for democracy and dissent. On Sunday, October 26, 2025, at least four people were killed in Douala, Cameroon’s economic hub, as clashes erupted between opposition protesters and security forces just a day before the country’s constitutional council was set to announce the results of a fiercely contested presidential election. The violence, which also left several members of the security forces wounded, marked a tragic escalation in a nation already simmering with tension and uncertainty.
According to reports from the regional governor, Samuel Dieudonne Ivaha Diboua, the fatalities occurred after demonstrators attacked police stations in Douala’s second and sixth districts. "Four people unfortunately lost their lives," Diboua told AFP, adding that security forces had defended themselves during what he described as "premeditated acts of violence" and a serious assault on public order and national security. The governor also confirmed that investigations had been launched to shed light on the circumstances of the deaths, with authorities vowing to take action against those they deem responsible for instigating the unrest.
The violence came after hundreds of supporters of opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a former government minister and erstwhile ally of President Paul Biya, defied a government ban on protests and took to the streets. In Douala and other cities such as Garoua and Maroua, demonstrators barricaded roads, burned tires, and chanted slogans like "We want Tchiroma, we want Tchiroma!" as they demanded what they called the "truth of the ballot." Some protesters carried banners urging international intervention, while others simply called for change after decades under Biya’s rule.
Videos circulating online and eyewitness accounts described chaotic scenes as police responded with tear gas and water cannon, attempting to disperse crowds that had grown increasingly agitated. According to Reuters and BBC, protesters in Douala also hurled rocks and other projectiles at police, and some went so far as to attack police stations, further inflaming the situation. Local media and Tchiroma’s own campaign confirmed the deaths, though the Associated Press noted that it could not independently verify all reports.
The unrest followed days of mounting tension in the wake of the October 12 presidential election. Partial results reported by local outlets suggested that 92-year-old President Paul Biya—already the world’s oldest serving national leader and in power since 1982—was on course to win an eighth term. However, Tchiroma Bakary, who resigned from Biya’s government just months before the vote, has insisted that he won, claiming 54.8% of the vote compared to Biya’s 31.3%. In a video statement, Tchiroma declared, "I am the legal and legitimate president," basing his claim on returns he said represented 80% of the electorate.
Tchiroma’s campaign called on supporters to protest if the constitutional council announced what he described as "falsified and distorted results." The opposition alleges widespread irregularities, including ballot-stuffing and the disqualification of Biya’s strongest rival. The constitutional council, whose judges are appointed by Biya, dismissed eight petitions challenging the results, citing insufficient evidence or lack of jurisdiction. Tchiroma refused to file complaints with the council, instead choosing to declare victory directly to the public.
As protests flared in cities across the country—including Yaounde, Garoua, Meiganga, Bafang, Bertoua, Kousseri, Yagoua, Kaele, and Bafoussam—the government moved quickly to stifle dissent. Authorities banned all gatherings until after the official results were to be released on Monday, October 27. Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji announced on Saturday, October 25, that several people had been arrested in connection with what he described as an "insurrectional movement." He warned that the protests "create the conditions for a security crisis" and contribute to "the implementation of an insurrectionist project."
The crackdown was not limited to street demonstrations. Tchiroma’s campaign manager reported that about 30 politicians and activists who supported his candidacy had been detained, including Anicet Ekane, leader of the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy party, and Djeukam Tchameni, a prominent Union for Change figure. For several days, dozens of supporters gathered around Tchiroma’s home, with the opposition leader claiming in a video that military personnel had attempted to detain him.
Journalist Blaise Eyong, reporting from Douala for Al Jazeera, highlighted the particular anger and frustration among Cameroon’s youth, who make up the majority of the population and face high rates of unemployment. "You can really see the frustration and anger when you talk to young people," Eyong said, noting that even government-imposed internet blackouts and disruptions had not stopped them from organizing and protesting. According to Eyong, the youth are especially incensed by what they perceive as a rigged system designed to maintain Biya’s decades-long grip on power.
President Paul Biya’s decision to seek reelection at age 92, after more than four decades in office, has been a flashpoint for opposition anger. Critics accuse him of using state machinery to manipulate elections, disqualify rivals, and suppress dissent. The ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) has dismissed Tchiroma’s claims of victory and labeled the opposition’s actions illegal, insisting that only the constitutional council has the authority to proclaim official results.
Despite the government’s efforts to maintain order and control the narrative, the events of the past week have underscored the deep divisions and volatility that now characterize Cameroonian politics. Placards seen at protests summed up the mood: "We are not here for disorder. We're demanding the truth of the ballot." The opposition’s determination to contest the results, and the government’s equally resolute response, have set the stage for a tense and potentially decisive moment in the country’s history.
As Cameroon awaits the official results, the question on everyone’s mind is whether the violence and unrest will subside or escalate further. For now, the deaths in Douala stand as a grim reminder of the high stakes and the high cost of political contestation in a country yearning for credible change.
