Cameroon at a Crossroads - The Intersection of Election Violence and Struggle for Leadership Change

Key Takeaways

• Pre- and post-election violence in the country highlights growing dissatisfaction with President Paul Biya’s long rule and raises concerns about the legitimacy of the electoral process.

• The ongoing violence could lead to additional security measures, including restrictions on movement. Furthermore, western governments out of fear of escalating violence may issue travel warnings for their citizens.

• Armed groups and insurgents operating in the country could exploit the unrest to carry out more violent acts.

Post-election violence rocks major cities amid widespread allegations of irregularities and election fraud 

Violent protests broke out in Cameroon’s capital city, Yaoundé, on 21 October 2025, after supporters of opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma clashed with security forces. Officers used tear gas to disperse protesters who had embarked on a march across several streets. Angry demonstrators accused electoral officials of manipulating the votes to favour incumbent President Paul Biya. In Tchiroma’s hometown of Garoua, in the Far North region, similar clashes occurred, with reports indicating that one person, identified as a teacher, was shot and killed while returning from work.

Tchiroma, Biya’s main challenger, allegedly declared himself the winner of the election even as Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) counted the votes. He published unverified results from some divisions and claimed to have secured over 50% of the votes. In Garoua alone, local reports indicated that more than 20 people were arrested during the post-election demonstrations. According to the Minister of Interior, Paul Atanga Nji, some of the arrested protesters will be charged with “incitement to rebellion and insurrection.” The provisional results will be sent to the Constitutional Court, which has until 26 October 2027 to announce the winner, as required by the Electoral Code.

Cameroonians in other cities like Bafoussam, Dschang, Kousserie, and Douala have expressed concerns over alleged irregularities in the electoral process. Many fear that the results may favour Biya, with some sources speculating that he is leading in the vote counts by more than 50%, preparing him for an eighth term. On the other hand, a confident Tchiroma of the Cameroon National Salvation Front (FSNC) party has called on Biya to accept defeat and step down, even though the official results have yet to be announced.. Days after the election, videos appeared on social media showing residents pulling down Biya’s campaign billboards, with citizens chanting “Biya Must Go.”

Citizens and opposition parties have begun to file petitions at the Constitutional Court, alleging widespread irregularities. Some sources argue that there is no way Biya could have won the 2025 election, as his past victories have relied on Northern votes, an area where it is believed Tchiroma gained the most support. Nonetheless, a victory for Biya would not be surprising, especially considering that his strongest opponent, Maurice Kamto, was barred from running in the presidential election by the electoral body. Protests have also occurred at the offices of ELECAM, where some representatives of FSNC were arrested, adding to the rising tension.

Will a Biya or Tchiroma leadership fix Cameroon’s problem?

While these demonstrations may seem to stem from the 2025 elections, they reveal deeper issues with Biya’s prolonged rule. Most Cameroonians are concerned that democracy under Biya is deteriorating with no signs of improvement. Many, including opposition and other political groups, have called for the President to step down for various reasons, including his age and poor health conditions.

Despite this, an ousting has been impossible due to strong backing from the military and some members of his government. Regardless of who wins the election, the anglophone crisis in the North West and South West regions is likely to persist and may worsen under a new administration. However, Cameroonians are willing to take the chance for a change in leadership to end Biya’s 43-year rule. Tchiroma, who resigned from Biya’s ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement party in June 2025 to run for president, may have a solid understanding of Cameroon’s politics as a former spokesman for Biya and two-time minister, but the question remains whether he has the ability and experience to govern the country effectively. His campaign focused on addressing the long-standing anglophone conflict, which has remained unresolved for many years.

One thing is certain, even if Biya wins this election, whether through rigged results or a fair win, his ability to maintain a politically stable Cameroon amid economic and security challenges cannot be overlooked. Some unconfirmed reports suggest that Biya may have reached out to Tchiroma with an offer to be his Prime Minister. The move, if confirmed, could imply that Biya is seeking to reduce tension in the country while indirectly acknowledging the role his former ally played in his administration.

Pro-Tchiroma demonstrations and its wider consequences on travel security

As tensions rise in the country, authorities are likely to implement additional security measures to curb violence, which may include curfews and restrictions on movement in certain areas critical to the nation’s safety, along with the deployment of extra government forces in major cities and hotspots. These measures will be crucial in determining whether the violence will escalate or reduce. 

Additionally, armed groups, such as separatist fighters in the English-speaking regions and insurgents in the Far North region, may take advantage of the ongoing political crisis to orchestrate more violence in the coming days and weeks. The increasing violence could prompt Western countries to issue travel warnings to their citizens.