Cameroon’s main opposition leader, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, has called on citizens to take to the streets in peaceful protests as the nation awaits the official announcement of presidential election results.
Tchiroma, who contested against long-serving President Paul Biya, declared that his party’s data shows a clear victory for the opposition, despite the government warning against premature claims.
In a video address released on Tuesday, Tchiroma insisted that the people of Cameroon had voted for change and urged the electoral commission to respect the will of the people. “Our victory is clear. It must be respected,” he said, warning that any attempt to alter the outcome could lead to widespread unrest. His remarks came amid rising tension across major cities following the October 12 election.
The government swiftly dismissed his claims, with officials from the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement describing the opposition’s declaration as an attempt to disrupt public peace. Authorities have maintained that only the constitutional court has the power to announce official results. Reports indicate that police and military units have been deployed in key regions to prevent violent demonstrations.
Protests have already erupted in parts of Douala, Yaoundé, and Garoua, where supporters of the opposition clashed with security forces. Witnesses said several people were arrested as demonstrators demanded transparency and fairness in the vote-counting process. “We just want our voices to be heard and our votes to count,” one protester told local media.
Human rights groups have raised concerns over the government’s heavy-handed response, with reports of arrests and intimidation targeting opposition supporters. Some activists have also alleged that the internet was partially restricted in certain areas to curb the spread of protest messages.
The constitutional court is expected to announce the official election results on October 26. International observers have urged calm and called on all parties to respect the democratic process. The outcome of the poll is widely seen as a defining moment for Cameroon, where President Biya has ruled for over four decades.
