Amanze Chinonye
Cameroon’s Constitutional Council on Monday declared President Paul Biya winner of the October 12, 2025 presidential election, extending his more than four-decade rule despite mounting discontent and deadly protests.
Biya, 92, secured 53.66 percent of the vote, while his closest rival and former ally, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, received 35.19 percent, according to official figures released by the top court. Voter turnout stood at 57.7 percent.
The announcement was preceded by violent clashes between security forces and opposition supporters demanding credible results. At least four protesters were reportedly shot dead on Sunday in Douala, the country’s economic capital, as crowds took to the streets in several cities, including Yaoundé, Garoua, and Maroua.
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Samuel Dieudonné Ivaha Diboua, governor of the Littoral Region, confirmed that several security officers were injured and over 100 protesters were arrested during the unrest. Videos circulating online showed troops firing tear gas and dispersing crowds who had barricaded major roads.
In a social media post following the court’s declaration, Tchiroma accused the authorities of ordering security forces to fire at civilians in his hometown of Garoua, claiming two people were killed.
“Toll of their attack: two dead. I wonder what will be said this time? Shooting point-blank at your own brothers I can’t help but wonder if you’re mercenaries,” Tchiroma wrote. “Kill me if you want, but I will liberate this country by any means necessary. What blatant impunity.”
There was no immediate response from the government to the opposition’s claims. The Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, said Saturday that authorities had arrested “several people plotting violent attacks,” accusing some opposition figures of inciting unrest.
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The election took place amid heightened tensions in the central African nation of nearly 30 million people, where Biya’s decision to seek another term drew criticism from youth groups and opposition parties. Many accused the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) of using “state machinery” to suppress dissent and sideline stronger rivals before the polls.
One protester, Oumarou Bouba, a 27-year-old trader in Maroua, said:
“I am ready to stake my life to defend my vote. I voted for Tchiroma because I want change.”
Another voter, Sani Aladji, 28, who works in a hotel in Maroua, expressed frustration after the results were announced:
“Nothing will change. I expected that Issa Tchiroma would bring change, which is why I voted for him. There’s rampant corruption under Biya’s regime. We are tired of that. We don’t have roads.”
Biya, who first took power in 1982, is now the world’s oldest serving president and among the longest-ruling leaders globally. His latest victory marks the start of an eighth term, extending a political tenure that has outlasted most of his citizens more than 70 percent of Cameroonians are under 35.
Despite being an oil-producing nation with modest economic growth, critics say Cameroon’s wealth remains concentrated among political elites. Youth unemployment and underemployment remain high, with 57 percent of workers aged 18 to 35 engaged in informal labor, according to World Bank data.
Biya’s leadership has also been defined by prolonged security crises. The country continues to battle Boko Haram insurgents in the north and a separatist conflict in its Anglophone regions, where unrest since 2016 has killed nearly 7,000 people and displaced over one million internally.
Analysts warn the disputed election result could further strain national stability.
Dr. Emile Sunjo, senior lecturer in international relations at the University of Buea, said:
“Many young people across the country and in the diaspora had hoped for change, but their hopes have been dashed. It feels like a missed opportunity. Cameroon could potentially slide into anarchy.”
Biya’s re-election at 92 not only cements his status as one of Africa’s last remaining post-independence strongmen but also deepens uncertainty about Cameroon’s political succession, economic direction, and generational future.
With rising youth frustration and persistent regional conflicts, the vote’s outcome risks entrenching old divisions and igniting new cycles of unrest in a country already at a crossroads between continuity and collapse.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
