In a week marked by high political drama across Africa, two presidential elections—one in Seychelles and the other in Cameroon—have drawn regional and international attention, each for very different reasons. While Seychelles celebrated a peaceful transfer of power, Cameroon plunged into uncertainty as rival camps vied for legitimacy in the absence of official results.
On October 14, 2025, the African Union (AU) extended its congratulations to Patrick Herminie, the newly elected president of Seychelles. According to China Daily, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf praised the Seychellois people for their "peaceful and orderly participation" in what he described as a "credible democratic process." Youssouf emphasized that the election underscored Seychelles' strong commitment to the rule of law and democratic principles, and he reaffirmed the AU's readiness to work with Herminie’s administration to advance the continent’s Agenda 2063.
Official results from the Seychelles Electoral Commission showed Herminie, leader of the United Seychelles party, secured 52.7 percent of the vote, defeating incumbent Wavel Ramkalawan, who garnered 47.3 percent. The contest went into a runoff after neither candidate achieved an outright majority in the first round two weeks prior. In his victory speech, Herminie struck a unifying tone: "We are turning a new page for all Seychellois. I will be the president of all Seychellois, ending divisions and ensuring fairness and opportunity for everyone."
This peaceful transition stands in stark contrast to the situation unfolding in Cameroon, where the aftermath of the October 12 presidential election has been anything but settled. Issa Tchiroma Bakary, the principal opposition leader and head of the Front for the National Salvation of Cameroon (FSNC), declared himself the winner just days after the vote. In a video statement posted to Facebook, Tchiroma called on President Paul Biya, who has ruled for an astonishing 43 years, to accept defeat and "honour the truth of the ballot box with a long-awaited gesture: that phone call of congratulations, which will demonstrate the political maturity of our nation and the future strength of our democracy."
Yet, official results remain elusive. The Cameroonian electoral commission, Elecam, has not yet released the outcome, with final tallies expected by October 26 after validation by the constitutional council. This delay has created a vacuum in which both sides have claimed victory. Supporters of Tchiroma and Biya have circulated images of tally sheets from individual polling stations on social media, fueling speculation and confusion. While it is legal to publish such tally sheets, announcing an overall result before the constitutional council’s decision is strictly forbidden. Paul Atanga Nji, Cameroon’s minister of territorial administration, underscored this point at a press conference, warning, "This is the red line that must not be crossed."
The Cameroonian election, which was contested by nine opposition candidates, featured a single-round, winner-takes-all system. More than 8 million citizens were eligible to vote, but the actual turnout remains unknown. Some of Tchiroma’s rivals have already congratulated him, suggesting a growing consensus among parts of the opposition. Tchiroma’s bid was bolstered by the backing of the Union for Change, a coalition of opposition parties seeking to end Biya’s decades-long grip on power.
Tchiroma’s campaign was built on a promise of national renewal. In his manifesto, he pledged a transition period of three to five years to "rebuild the country," which he accused Biya of having "destroyed." In an open letter announcing his candidacy, Tchiroma wrote, "A country cannot exist in the service of one man. It must live in the service of its people." His rhetoric resonated with voters weary of Biya’s long and often absentee rule—Biya, now 92, has governed in part from Switzerland, with reports of presidential decrees being signed on his behalf by Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, the secretary general of the presidency.
The stakes could hardly be higher. Cameroon’s history with contested elections is fraught. In 2018, opposition challenger Maurice Kamto declared himself the winner the day after voting concluded. The government responded with force: Kamto was arrested, his supporters’ rallies were met with teargas and water cannons, and dozens of activists were detained, some of whom remain imprisoned to this day. This legacy of repression looms over the current standoff, raising fears of a repeat should the authorities move to quash dissent.
Tchiroma himself is no stranger to Cameroon’s turbulent politics. Born in Garoua, he was imprisoned in the 1980s for his alleged role in a failed coup against Biya, only to later serve as a minister in Biya’s government. In a pre-election interview, Tchiroma remarked that in two decades as a minister, he had never met the president face-to-face—a telling detail that highlights the opacity of Biya’s rule.
Meanwhile, the outgoing president of Seychelles, Wavel Ramkalawan, and other presidential candidates have been credited by the AU for respecting the process and upholding the spirit of peaceful competition. This recognition, as reported by China Daily, stands as a testament to Seychelles’ commitment to democratic norms, even in defeat. The AU’s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf expressed optimism that the country’s example would inspire others on the continent.
Comparisons between the two elections are inevitable. Seychelles, a small island nation, has managed to navigate the treacherous waters of political transition with poise, setting a standard for peaceful democratic change. Cameroon, by contrast, remains mired in uncertainty, its political future hanging in the balance as the world watches to see whether the authorities will respect the will of the people or revert to old patterns of suppression.
Observers note that the outcomes of these elections carry implications far beyond their respective borders. For the African Union, Seychelles’ example is a beacon of hope, reinforcing the organization’s vision for democratic governance across the continent. For Cameroon, the coming days will test the resilience of its institutions and the resolve of its people. The memory of past crackdowns lingers, but there is also a palpable sense of anticipation—a hope that, this time, the outcome might be different.
As Africa’s political landscape continues to evolve, the contrasting stories of Seychelles and Cameroon serve as a reminder of both the promise and the peril of democratic transitions. Whether the region moves closer to the ideals celebrated by the AU or succumbs to the forces of inertia and repression will depend, in no small part, on the choices made in the days and weeks ahead.
For now, Seychelles basks in the glow of a peaceful handover, while Cameroon waits—anxiously, impatiently—for the final word on its future.
