Cameroon Protests Escalate as Opposition Declares Victory Ahead of Results

Post by : Raina Nasser

At least four people have been killed in violent street clashes across Douala and other cities in Cameroon, authorities and witnesses say, as the country waits for official election results. The unrest began after opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary publicly declared he had won the October 12 presidential vote, directly confronting President Paul Biya’s 43-year tenure. Demonstrations defying a government ban quickly turned confrontational, leaving communities anxious and uncertain.

Governor Samuel Dieudonné Diboua confirmed the fatalities, calling the incidents "premeditated acts of violence" and vowed firm measures against those blamed. Local reports said several police officers were wounded when demonstrators attacked security posts in Douala. Despite the ban, hundreds of Bakary supporters filled the streets, chanting and holding placards demanding their ballots be respected — one read, "We are not here for disorder — we’re demanding the truth of the ballot." Security forces used tear gas to disperse crowds.

In Garoua, a northern bastion for Bakary, police responded with tear gas and water cannon as supporters accused the ruling CPDM of attempting to "steal the victory." The unrest intensified after Bakary uploaded a video claiming he was the "legal and legitimate president," saying his team had tallied roughly 55% of the vote from about 80% of polling returns. The declaration energized his base while deepening national divisions.

The opposition has alleged multiple irregularities in the voting process, including ballot-stuffing and intimidation at polling stations. The constitutional council, whose members were largely appointed during Biya’s long rule, dismissed eight legal challenges to the outcome. Authorities have prohibited public gatherings until Monday, when the official results are due — yet supporters remain defiant, some carrying banners appealing to international figures, including US President Donald Trump, for intervention.

Bakary’s political trajectory has been striking: a former minister who served as communications minister and government spokesperson from 2009 to 2019, he defended the administration during crises such as the Boko Haram insurgency. In June 2025 the 76-year-old split from the ruling order, resigning to run for the presidency. Born in Garoua and educated as an engineer in France, he was previously jailed in 1984 over an alleged plot against Biya and spent six years in detention without conviction.

The protests have left major cities tense, with a strong security presence in Douala and Garoua and reports of planned follow-up demonstrations. Many Cameroonians fear the official announcement could spark further unrest if it contradicts Bakary’s claims. International observers are monitoring developments closely and have warned the situation could escalate if neither side yields.

For many in the country, the demonstrations represent more than a single electoral dispute — they signal a broader demand for change after decades under the same leadership. As one protester put it, "We are here to claim our victory, for a new Cameroon, for everyone."