The world’s oldest head of state, 92-year-old Biya has ruled the Central African country for 43 years. This is his eighth term in office. He is only the second head of state to lead Cameroon since independence from France in 1960. Critics have accused him of ruling with an iron fist, repressing all political and armed opposition, and seizing power through social turmoil, economic inequality and separatist violence.
In Cameroon, the final results of elections cannot be declared before they are officially declared by the Constitutional Council.
“An election law that is not unanimous is, at the end of the day, a way for the government to create chaos,” civil society activist Ernesto Yené told DW.
Two days after the election on October 12, 2025, the Union pour le Changement 2025, a coalition of opposition forces, declared its candidate Issa Tchiroma Bekri of the Cameroon National Salvation Front (FSNC) the winner of the election with “more than 60% of the vote”.
Later, he said he received 54.8% of the votes while Biya received 31.3%.
“Our victory is clear. It must be respected,” the former labor minister announced on his social media channels. The government must recognize “the truth of the ballot box,” Tachiroma Bakari said, otherwise it will “plunge the country into turmoil.”
Election bodies declared Biya the winner
On 21 October, Cameroon’s electoral body (ELECAM) denied Tchiroma’s ‘victory’ after the announcement of preliminary results of the presidential election in Yaoundé: according to those results, incumbent Paul Biya was well ahead of his challengers with 53.66% of the vote. Tchiroma received only 35.19% of the votes nationwide. These figures have now been confirmed by the Constitutional Council.
“We are neither surprised nor shocked by the developments we are currently seeing,” Ernesto Yené said. “Most Cameroonians will not take to the streets, but we know what they have expressed in this election. It is up to those in power to listen to these messages. Peace is not a mandate, it has to be prepared for.”
Issa Tachiroma Bakery had called on his supporters to hold peaceful protests across the country. And many people heeded his call, even though authorities had banned demonstrations. Some people waved banners or posters with slogans like “The people are sovereign”.
Tchiroma Bakery said at least two protesters were killed during a demonstration outside their home in Garoua, northern Cameroon.
Fear about political instability is increasing
Rioting broke out in the economic metropolis of Douala, Cameroon’s largest city, on Sunday, October 26, 2025. According to official reports, at least four people were killed in clashes with police, who used tear gas against protesters. Several security forces were reportedly injured. Opposition supporters attacked a police station. Thick black smoke rose over the city center and sirens began to sound.
“The calls for demonstrations initiated by some politicians with limitless ambitions undoubtedly create a situation of security crisis and contribute to the implementation of the rebellion plan,” Atanga N’Gi, Cameroon’s minister of territorial administration, told a news conference.
In Garoua, a Tachiroma stronghold in the north, police also used tear gas against protesters. According to our DW correspondent, however, calls for peaceful demonstrations in the capital Yaoundé fell on deaf ears. Police presence was also increased there.
According to the Union pour le Change 2025, two opposition politicians, party leader of the Movement for Democracy and Interdependence (MDI) Jaukem Chameni and party leader of the African Movement for the New Independence of Cameroon (Manidem), are in custody.
Edited by: C.Mavakideau