Post by : Rameen Ariff

Tensions have surged across Cameroon after violent demonstrations left at least four people dead in Douala and other urban centres, coming just days before the official announcement of election results. The unrest followed opposition figure Issa Tchiroma Bakary’s claim to victory in the October 12 presidential vote, a direct challenge to President Paul Biya’s 43-year tenure.

Governor Samuel Dieudonné Diboua confirmed the fatalities, describing the incidents as “premeditated acts of violence” and promising firm measures against those responsible. Authorities say several police officers were wounded when protesters attacked security posts in Douala. Despite a ban on public gatherings, hundreds of supporters of Tchiroma Bakary took to the streets chanting “We want Tchiroma!” and holding placards demanding transparency amid clouds of tear gas.

In Garoua, a known stronghold for Tchiroma Bakary, police employed tear gas and water cannons to clear crowds accusing the ruling CPDM party of attempting to “steal the victory.” The unrest intensified after Tchiroma Bakary posted a video declaring himself the “legal and legitimate president,” asserting he had secured roughly 55% of votes based on about 80% of polling data compiled by his campaign team.

The opposition alleges the election was tainted by irregularities, citing incidents of ballot-stuffing and intimidation at polling stations. The constitutional council, whose membership is widely viewed as sympathetic to Biya, dismissed eight legal challenges to the results. Officials have imposed a ban on public assemblies until Monday, when the official tally is due to be published.

Despite the restrictions, supporters of Tchiroma Bakary have remained defiant on the streets and have appealed for international attention; some demonstrators even unfurled banners calling on world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, to intervene. Demonstrators maintain they are seeking the integrity of the vote rather than disorder.

Tchiroma Bakary’s political trajectory has been notable. Once a close ally of President Biya, he served as communications minister and government spokesperson from 2009 to 2019, defending the administration during crises such as the Boko Haram insurgency. In June 2025 the 76-year-old broke with the ruling circle, resigning to run for the presidency and positioning himself as an agent of change.

Born in Garoua and educated as an engineer in France, Tchiroma Bakary’s career has included darker chapters: he was arrested in 1984 on allegations of plotting against Biya and spent six years in detention without a formal conviction. His rapid pivot from regime insider to opposition standard-bearer has sharpened political fault lines nationwide.

Streets in Douala and Garoua remain tense with a heightened security presence and reports of further planned protests. Many Cameroonians fear Monday’s official announcement could trigger additional unrest if it contradicts claims by Tchiroma Bakary and his supporters. International observers are watching closely and caution that the situation could escalate if neither side yields.

For a significant segment of the population these demonstrations represent a broader demand for political renewal after more than four decades under the same leadership. “We are here to claim our victory, for a new Cameroon, for everyone,” said one protester, reflecting the hopes and anxieties driving the current unrest.

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