Protests Escalate in Cameroon Ahead of Election Results

Tue Oct 28 2025 14:36:14 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Tensions rise in Cameroon as supporters of opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary clash with security forces just before the highly contested election results are announced.

Hundreds of protesters clashed with police in Cameroon, demanding fair election results following claims by opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary that he won against incumbent Paul Biya. Protesters faced tear gas and water cannons as they rallied in cities like Garoua, denouncing attempts by the ruling party to undermine their victory. Authorities have prohibited gatherings until the results are officially announced.

Hundreds of protesters have clashed with security forces in several cities across Cameroon, a day before the results in a highly-contested presidential election are due to be announced.

Police fired tear gas and water cannons at the supporters of opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary in his stronghold of Garoua, a city in the north of the country.

The protesters were denouncing what they said was a plan by the ruling party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM), to 'steal the victory' from the opposition leader.

Tchiroma Bakary has insisted that he won the presidential election held on 12 October, challenging incumbent President Paul Biya's 43-year-old hold on power. The CPDM party has dismissed the claims.

The demonstrations come after Tchiroma Bakary called on his supporters in the country and the diaspora to march peacefully to 'liberate Cameroon'.

Authorities have banned gatherings until Monday, when Cameroon's constitutional council is set to announce the results.

In Garoua, the demonstrations began peacefully but quickly turned rowdy when security forces threw teargas on the streets to disperse the hundreds of people that had gathered in support of Tchiroma Bakary.

One protester was seen carrying a banner urging US President Donald Trump to help them. Supporters also took to the streets in the south-western city of Douala.

Tchiroma Bakary previously told the BBC that he would not accept a stolen vote. He claimed he won with about 55% of the vote based on results from individual polling stations. However, the CPDM has dismissed his victory claims, accusing him of trying to create chaos.

Opposition supporters allege that the polling process was marred by irregularities, including ballot-stuffing, while the constitutional council has rejected several petitions regarding the election process.

Tchiroma Bakary, a former government minister, only recently broke ranks with Biya to run against him, suggesting that the upcoming results could further escalate an already tense political environment in Cameroon.