By By: The People News Online
YAOUNDÉ — Cameroon’s long-serving President Paul Biya has once again been declared the winner of the country’s October 12, 2025 presidential election, extending his decades-long rule amid widespread allegations of electoral fraud and growing public dissent.
The Constitutional Council on Sunday confirmed Biya’s re-election after what it described as a “credible and peaceful process,” but opposition parties, civil society groups, and international observers have strongly disputed the results, citing multiple irregularities.
Election monitors reported cases of ballot stuffing, voter intimidation, and delayed result transmissions from key regions, particularly in the conflict-hit Northwest and Southwest — areas that have long been hostile to Biya’s government. Some polling centers allegedly opened late or failed to publish results, deepening suspicions of manipulation.
Even before the final declaration, protests erupted in major cities including Yaoundé, Douala, and Bafoussam, with demonstrators chanting slogans such as “Our votes must count” and demanding an independent audit of the election. Security forces responded with tear gas and arrests, as tension continues to rise across the nation.
Social media platforms have since been flooded with footage of police clashes and citizen outcry, while authorities have reportedly restricted internet access in parts of the country to curb what they called “misinformation.”
Opposition candidate Maurice Kamto of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM) rejected the results outright, calling them a “national disgrace” and urging supporters to remain peaceful but vigilant. Other opposition leaders and activists have called on the African Union and the international community to intervene, warning that the disputed election could destabilize the already fragile nation.
At 92, Biya — who has ruled Cameroon since 1982 — remains one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. Critics accuse him of clinging to power through intimidation and manipulation of state institutions, while his supporters insist that his leadership ensures continuity and stability in a volatile region.
International observers, including the European Union Election Observation Mission and several domestic watchdog groups, have called for transparency and restraint, urging all sides to pursue dialogue instead of violence.
As the dust settles, many Cameroonians say they are losing faith in democratic institutions, describing this election as another reminder of a system that refuses to change.
