The Platform for African Democrats (PAD) is concerned that the Cameroon election of 12 October has not met basic democratic standards, as clearly outlined in regional democratic conventions, while also being marred by violence and state manipulation of the results. In total, eight separate petitions – submitted by different opposition parties – were made to the Constitutional Court, presenting glaring irregularities and requesting a partial or full annulment of the election results. These cases have been quickly dismissed.
Following the official announcement of the results, in which long-ruling President Paul Biya was declared the winner, Cameroon is barrelling towards a violent political crisis. Despite much evidence to the contrary, which was painstakingly documented by local civil society groups, the 92-year old incumbent was elected to another 7-year term. Biya has ruled Cameroon for 43 years.
Andrew Fuanya Nkea, the Archbishop of Bamenda and President of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC), noted that a report of the Bishops’ National Justice and Peace Commission included major irregularities that hinder Cameroon’s democratic path.
Overall, the polls were marred by numerous irregularities and voter suppression, with the ruling party Rassemblement Démocratique du Peuple Camerounais (RDPC) rejecting claims that it had lost. The primary opposition candidate, Issa Tchiroma Bakary (leader of the Front pour le Salut National du Cameroun), and civil society organisations conducted a nationwide parallel vote tabulation using result sheets from 18 districts (representing 82%), showing a resounding victory for Tchiroma of around 54.8% against Biya’s 31.3%.
The Biya government has claimed that Tchiroma’s declaration of victory, before official results were declared, amounts to “treason”. Fearing for his arrest, Tchiroma’s supporters have surrounded his house, forming a human shield. Recent local reports indicate that at least two supporters have thus far been shot outside his home, with at least 24 protesters killed in other areas around Cameroon. Tchiroma has in recent days also suffered assassination attempts.
The ruling party in Cameroon controls all institutions that govern the electoral process, which raises credible question about their independence, transparency, and official capacity to declare anything other than fabricated results. Tchiroma followed in the footsteps of opposition leader Maurice Kamto who during the 2018 election also pre-empted the official announcement of results. Kamto was subsequently arrested in 2018 and barred from participating in these polls.
Thus far, many opposition candidates, who have had access to the results compiled by civil society, have congratulated Tchiroma on his declared victory. In the meantime, Tchiroma has been discreetly offered the role of Prime Minister by the Biya government. He is reported to have turned down these offers. Riots started in major cities and commercial centres, including Douala, Garoua, Dschang, Bafoussam, Kousseri and Limbe, by citizens who are concerned that the vote had been manipulated. Massive government-sponsored disinformation campaigns, including on social media, are occurring, which have contributed to rising tensions. As part of these disinformation campaigns, non-existent polling stations have been highlighted with inflated results that never existed. This strategy is clearly meant to confuse the electorate while whitewashing the fraudulent results. Internet shutdowns have also occurred, with VPN access also being blocked.
Cameroonian security forces (in particular the rapid response police BIR that answers directly to the President) have been widely deployed on the streets in which violent clashes have occurred. In addition, arrests of opposition members continue, abductions and disappearances of dissidents from civil society and the opposition are occurring, and more arrests of the opposition are expected in the coming days. Reports are emerging that over 100 opposition figures have been arrested by unidentified security operatives and taken to military court. These include Anicet Ekane and Djeukam Tchameni, leaders of the Union of Change movement that backed Tchiroma; Aba’a Oyono, who helped Tchiroma make inroads into Biya’s ethnic South Region; and Fabrice Lena, among many others. Many that participated in the tabulation of results have also been arrested.
The loyalty of the army is unknown, which has been the main reason behind Biya’s reluctance to stage a brutal and widespread crackdown, fearing this may trigger a mutiny or military coup. In Bertoua and Garoua, police accused the army of standing by while an angry mob circled their station. But the government may have few options other than a crackdown – especially with Tchiroma still at large and Biya’s inauguration rapidly approaching.
In light of the overwhelming evidence of electoral irregularities, violence, and state-sponsored manipulation during the October 12 election, the Platform for African Democrats calls for the recognition of the legitimate will of the Cameroonian people. We ask that President Paul Biya and his administration respect the people's clear desire for change and take definitive steps to instil democratic integrity. Furthermore, we urge the international community – including global democrats, journalists, and civil society organisations – to remain alert, amplify local voices, and actively oppose further escalation of government repression.
The fate of Cameroon’s democracy depends on our collective resolve and unwavering support for truth and justice. The time to act is now.