In the wake of contentious elections in Cameroon and Tanzania, the African continent is witnessing a groundswell of public anger and a demand for genuine democratic accountability. The recent events, marked by allegations of electoral manipulation, brutal crackdowns on dissent, and an outpouring of youth-led protests, have thrust both nations into the international spotlight, raising pressing questions about the state of democracy in Africa and the resilience of its social contract.
Cameroon’s presidential election, held on October 12, 2025, saw 92-year-old Paul Biya—already the world’s oldest sitting president—claim victory with 55% of the vote, securing an eighth term in office. According to reporting by Substack, Biya’s frailty was so pronounced that life-size puppets of him and his wife were dispatched on the campaign trail in lieu of personal appearances. The outcome was met with widespread skepticism, both domestically and abroad, as citizens took to the streets in protest. The government’s response was swift and severe: security forces clamped down on demonstrators, adding another layer of insecurity to a country already grappling with separatist violence in the northwest and southwest (the self-declared region of Ambazonia) and the persistent threat of Boko Haram in the north.
In Tanzania, the situation unfolded along a similarly troubling trajectory. President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who ascended to the presidency in 2021 as the nation’s first female leader, was declared the overwhelming victor in the October 29, 2025, general election, with a reported 98% of the vote. The opposition, however, quickly denounced the poll as a “mockery of democracy,” citing the absence of credible challengers. Key opposition figure Tundu Lissu was detained on treason charges he denies, while another contender, Luhaga Mpina, was disqualified on technical grounds. International election observers corroborated these concerns, reporting manipulation and a failure to meet democratic standards, as detailed by BBC Africa.
The aftermath in Tanzania was nothing short of explosive. Unprecedented protests erupted, with demonstrators targeting property linked to ruling party officials and celebrities perceived as government mouthpieces. The authorities’ response was brutal and, according to multiple reports, included the use of mass graves and industrial incinerators to dispose of bodies. The United Nations estimated the death toll to be at least in the hundreds as of late November, while civil society groups suggested even higher figures. Gruesome images and videos, some verified by international media, began circulating online despite a government-imposed internet blackout that lasted five days from election day. The government, for its part, criticized these portrayals as attempts to tarnish Tanzania’s image, insisting the country remained safe.
In a move that drew both domestic and international scrutiny, an international coalition of lawyers and human rights organizations formally petitioned the International Criminal Court (ICC) on November 13, 2025. Their 82-page submission accused President Samia and her government of crimes against humanity, including mass killings and the clandestine disposal of more than 500 bodies. The request for an ICC investigation underscored the gravity of the allegations and the growing concern over impunity for state-sponsored violence.
Meanwhile, the Tanzanian government announced the cancellation of the country’s upcoming independence day celebrations, originally scheduled for December 9, 2025. Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba explained that funds earmarked for the festivities would instead be redirected toward rebuilding infrastructure damaged during the unrest. The opposition, however, saw the day as an opportunity to rally public demonstrations against the post-election killings. Calls for accountability were met with government promises of a commission of inquiry to investigate the violence, though skepticism remains high regarding the commission’s independence. Government spokesman Gerson Msigwa assured the public that the inquiry would “shed light into what happened,” but rights groups remain unconvinced.
The crackdown also led to mass arrests. At least 240 individuals were charged with treason in the wake of the protests, a figure that would later rise as more suspects were rounded up. Yet, in a surprising turn, the Tanzanian judiciary began freeing large numbers of detainees. On November 25, 2025, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) filed a notice to discontinue charges against 198 out of 216 suspects, resulting in scenes of jubilation and emotional reunions at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam. According to The Citizen, relatives gathered from early morning, some clutching flowers and balloons, to welcome their loved ones home. One released suspect, Joseph Martin, insisted he had not participated in any protest, recounting a harrowing tale of arbitrary arrest: “That day, officers passed by and when people saw them, everyone rushed inside. The officers came in and dragged us out, asking why we were running. They ordered us to lie down, and one of them said, ‘Anyone who lifts their head, shoot.’”
Despite these releases, 18 suspects—including the well-known cosmetics entrepreneur Jennifer Jovin (“Niffer”)—remained in custody as cases continued. Since November 24, a total of 245 suspects had been freed by the courts, though the initial number of those charged with treason stood at 314. The emotional toll was evident: one freed suspect nearly fainted in the courtroom, while Niffer’s mother collapsed in tears upon learning her daughter would remain in remand.
Beyond the immediate violence and legal drama, the unrest in both Cameroon and Tanzania reflects a deeper crisis of legitimacy and generational divide. As L. Muthoni Wanyeki observed in Substack, the youth-led protests sweeping Kenya, Mozambique, Morocco, and Madagascar signal a continent-wide demand for real accountability and an end to what many see as “electoral theatre.” The old social contract—whereby citizens surrender some personal sovereignty for collective governance and public goods—appears increasingly broken. Young Africans, armed with biting satire and a keen sense of irony, are making it clear: their expectations and worldviews are rapidly diverging from those of their aging leaders.
While President Samia was initially hailed for easing political repression upon taking office, her administration’s recent actions have sharply narrowed Tanzania’s political space. The government’s appeals for dialogue and unity, as expressed by Prime Minister Nchemba—“I urge my fellow Tanzanians to come together and discuss the issues affecting us. Let us not return to what we went through, because the consequences are irreparable”—ring hollow for many who have witnessed or experienced the violent suppression firsthand.
The events in Cameroon and Tanzania serve as a stark reminder that performative elections and state violence cannot substitute for genuine democratic legitimacy. As international scrutiny intensifies and the continent’s youth continue to demand change, the old guard faces mounting pressure to adapt—or risk being swept aside by a generation no longer willing to accept the status quo.
