Tension has gripped Cameroon following deadly clashes that erupted in the wake of the country’s disputed presidential election. At least four people have been confirmed dead in Douala, the nation’s economic capital, as security forces confronted protesters demanding the recognition of opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary’s self-proclaimed victory.
The unrest marks one of the most violent political confrontations in recent years, intensifying fears that the Central African nation could slide into chaos if the political impasse continues.
Regional Governor Samuel Dieudonné Diboua confirmed that the protests, which took place on Saturday and Sunday, turned violent after police stations were reportedly attacked by demonstrators. He said security forces responded to what he described as “premeditated acts of violence” aimed at destabilizing public order.
“Four people unfortunately lost their lives, and several members of the security forces were injured in the line of duty,” the governor said. “Investigations are underway to identify the perpetrators and ensure that justice is served.”
The demonstrations were triggered by claims from opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary that he had won the 12 October election against long-time President Paul Biya. Bakary, a 76-year-old former government minister and engineer, has declared himself the “legal and legitimate president” of Cameroon, alleging that the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) manipulated results to keep Biya in power.
Defying a nationwide ban on political gatherings, hundreds of Bakary’s supporters took to the streets in Douala, Garoua, and other cities across the country. Protesters chanted, “We want Tchiroma, we want Tchiroma!” and carried placards demanding transparency in the vote count. In Garoua, his hometown and political stronghold, demonstrators were met with tear gas and water cannons as police attempted to disperse crowds.
“We are not here to cause chaos — we are here to demand the truth of the ballot,” one protester shouted as security forces advanced. Another demonstrator carried a banner calling on the international community to “stand with the people of Cameroon.”
Authorities have imposed a ban on public gatherings until Monday, when the Constitutional Council is expected to announce the official election results. Opposition groups, however, have accused the Council — whose members were appointed by Biya — of bias, warning that it will only serve to legitimize what they describe as a “stolen victory.”
Despite mounting pressure, the CPDM has maintained that President Biya, now 92 years old and Africa’s second-longest-serving leader, has once again won a mandate to govern. The party dismissed Tchiroma Bakary’s victory claims as “unlawful and misleading,” emphasizing that only the Constitutional Council has the legal authority to proclaim the results.
The 2025 election has been one of Cameroon’s most contentious in decades. Observers and opposition activists allege widespread irregularities, including ballot-stuffing, voter intimidation, and restricted access to polling stations in opposition strongholds. Judges on the Constitutional Council dismissed eight petitions for election annulment, citing insufficient evidence or lack of jurisdiction.
Tchiroma Bakary has refused to engage with the Council, declaring it compromised and unfit to handle electoral disputes. Instead, he has called on his supporters within the country and across the diaspora to engage in peaceful demonstrations to “reclaim the people’s victory.”
Born in Garoua in northern Cameroon, Issa Tchiroma Bakary trained as an engineer in France before returning home to work for the national railway company. In 1984, he was imprisoned for six years over allegations of involvement in an attempted coup against Biya — charges he denied and was never convicted of. After his release, he re-entered politics, eventually serving as the country’s communications minister and government spokesperson between 2009 and 2019.
During his time in government, Tchiroma Bakary was one of Biya’s staunchest defenders, justifying controversial security crackdowns and denying accusations of human rights violations during the Boko Haram insurgency. His abrupt departure from Biya’s camp in mid-2025 shocked many political observers. He cited disillusionment with the regime’s “systemic corruption and betrayal of democratic values” as reasons for his defection.
“Cameroon belongs to its people, not to one man or one family,” Bakary said during his campaign. “We are standing up to reclaim our future.”
However, Biya’s government insists that the protests are an attempt to destabilize the country. Governor Diboua described the demonstrations as part of a coordinated effort to incite violence. “These actions will not be tolerated. We are committed to preserving peace and security in our region,” he warned.
The political turmoil comes at a time when Cameroon is already struggling with multiple crises — from separatist conflicts in the Anglophone regions to economic stagnation and high unemployment. The unrest threatens to further destabilize the country, which has long prided itself on its reputation for relative stability in Central Africa.
Meanwhile, human rights groups are urging restraint from both sides, calling on the government to respect citizens’ right to peaceful assembly and on protesters to avoid violence.
As the nation awaits Monday’s official results, uncertainty looms large. The streets of Douala and Yaoundé remain heavily guarded by security forces, while opposition supporters vow to continue their demonstrations until what they describe as “the people’s victory” is recognized.
For many Cameroonians, the coming days could determine not just the outcome of an election, but the future of their democracy.
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