Cameroon Protests Erupt After Biya’s Re-Election Disputed

Yaoundé – Cameroon faces a fresh wave of political turmoil after the Constitutional Council declared 92-year-old Paul Biya the winner of the presidential election, extending his more than four-decade rule. Official results gave Biya 53.7 percent of the vote, securing an eighth term for the world’s oldest head of state.

His main challenger, former government minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary, was announced as the runner-up with 35.2 percent. Tchiroma immediately rejected the outcome, denouncing the process as a “masquerade” and claiming victory for himself.

Post-Election Unrest Erupts

The announcement sparked immediate demonstrations. Hundreds heeded Tchiroma’s call to protest in the economic capital Douala and his northern hometown of Garoua. Security forces moved in to break up the rallies, continuing a pattern of deadly clashes that began over the weekend.

Regional authorities reported four people killed in Douala on Sunday. Tchiroma stated that two protesters were killed outside his home in Garoua, alleging the presence of snipers on rooftops. An AFP reporter confirmed seeing one man shot. The United Nations rights office has called for restraint and investigations into the violence.

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A History of Tight Control

In a social media post, President Biya expressed regret for the lives lost. Public gatherings remain banned and traffic is restricted in major cities following the poll. Voter turnout was officially recorded at 46.3 percent.

Most analysts had anticipated another term for Biya, who is only the second leader of Cameroon since its independence from France in 1960. He has maintained a firm grip on power, repressing political opposition and navigating periods of social and economic strife. The recent protests highlight the deepening tensions following this controversial election result.