France has advised its citizens in Cameroon to remain cautious amid a tense post-election climate, according to a travel alert released on October 17 by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. The ministry urged French nationals “to exercise vigilance and stay away from large gatherings,” citing “sporadic unrest reported in several cities” since the October 12 vote.

Paris reminded its nationals that “the official validation of results is expected by October 27,” and that the swearing-in of the elected president should take place “no later than November 9.” In 2021, 5,676 French citizens were registered with the consulate in Cameroon, primarily in Yaoundé and Douala.

The message comes as the country faces heightened tensions and demonstrations in cities including Douala, Dschang, Garoua, Limbe, and Makary. Clashes have erupted between security forces and protesters contesting preliminary results. The National Salvation Front of Cameroon (FSNC), led by Issa Tchiroma Bakary, has already claimed victory before official results are announced.

Twelve candidates competed in the October 12 presidential election, including incumbent Paul Biya, 92, who has ruled since 1982 and is seeking an eighth term. Despite repeated calls for calm from the government, local organizations, and international observers, mistrust persists among the population.

The Constitutional Council, the sole authority empowered to validate the election outcome, has until October 26 to review the results submitted by Elections Cameroon (ELECAM). Meanwhile, unofficial figures circulating on social media have fueled confusion and uncertainty.

The Cameroonian government maintains that the situation “remains under control” and that security forces are mobilized to protect people and property. However, fears of post-election violence continue to loom over the country as authorities seek to restore calm and legitimacy to the electoral process.

Source: Sbbc

Tensions are rising between the President Biya and Tchiroma Bakary camps as Cameroon’s constitutional council must announce presidential election results by Sunday. But according to Jeune Afrique’s information, Biya has extended a hand to his opponent.

Cameroon’s Commission Nationale de Recensement des Votes declared President Paul Biya the winner with 53.66% of the votes in the presidential election, ahead of opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who took 35.19%. But the standoff continues between the two camps, as our sister magazine Jeune Afrique has information that Biya has offered his rival a government role.

Tchiroma contested the figures, and it is in this context, according to Jeune Afrique’s sources, that discreet negotiations were initiated between the former minister and the outgoing head of state, through intermediaries.

Through the mediation of North Region Governor Jean Abaté Edi’I – accompanied by other emissaries – Biya approached Tchiroma with a bold proposal: the post of prime minister.

The meeting took place in Garoua at Tchiroma’s home late last week. In exchange for the premiership and the promotion of some of Tchiroma’s allies within the government and administration, the opposition leader was expected to tone down his electoral challenge.

Tchiroma Bakary rejects the offer

According to Jeune Afrique’s information, government emissaries promised swift reform of the electoral code, to take place before the next legislative elections scheduled for 2026, in exchange for the opponent’s recognition of Biya’s victory.

The Tchiroma Bakary camp is preparing an action plan to defend his victory once the final verdict is released by the Conseil Constitutionnel

The proposal was supported by several foreign diplomats, who favoured Tchiroma accepting this outstretched hand and helping to bring about a resolution to the looming electoral crisis.

The former three-time minister under Biya, aware that his political base might oppose any arrangement with those in power and convinced of his victory in the presidential election, refused.

Contacted by Jeune Afrique, one of Tchiroma’s lieutenants said it was an attempt at “political neutralisation” by the president.

“All Issa Tchiroma Bakary demands is recognition of the truth of the ballot box,” his ally confided. The opposition leader’s team has begun publishing the minutes and a compilation of results in their possession, from which they claim to have won the presidential election with 62% of the votes.

On the ground, tensions remain high. According to our sources, the Tchiroma Bakary camp is preparing an action plan to defend his victory once the final verdict is released by the Conseil Constitutionnel, which must issue its ruling no later than 26 October. They have also enlisted the services of numerous Cameroonian and foreign lawyers.

Source: Jeune Afrique

A senior member of Mr. Issa Tchiroma’s party has informed Cameroon Concord News that if the country’s constitutional council hands over victory to the outgoing president, Paul Biya, Cameroonians will make the country ungovernable.

The senior official who spoke on conditions of anonymity with the Cameroon Concord News Group Chairman, Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai, said that Cameroon was ripe for a revolution and if the country’s government officials are not aware of what is happening around the world then they are either blind or ill-informed.

“There is a lot of uncertainty around the world and Cameroon government officials want to import the demons to our shores. Cameroonians are frustrated and bitter because of Mr. Paul Biya’s incompetence and testing them one more time could be that last straw that will destroy the country,” he said.

“ELECAM has finished its results manufacturing job and the results are at the constitutional council. The results have leaked and it is up to Cameroonians to act as one person to chase Mr. Biya and his irresponsible collaborators from Cameroon. Our country has been in the news for all the wrong reasons over the last four decades – bad economy, no road infrastructure, sky-high unemployment with many Cameroonians dying on the high seas as they escape the economic pain the ruling party has generated.

“We will make Cameroon ungovernable. If that means arming our young men, we will do that. Money is not the issue and there are weapons lying fallow in the country’s northern regions,” he stressed.

“If Yaoundé has not learned from the Anglophone crisis which has already lasted for nine years, then it will never learn. The crisis in the country’s two English-speaking regions is still playing out and there is no end in sight. Opening a new front where Boko Haram has a physical presence is one additional mistake the government is making,” he underscored.

Issa Tchiroma’s victory is a victory for ever suffering Cameroonian. My fellow countrymen should come out to defend their victory. This victory is not only for Northerners. Every Cameroonian is suffering and this hardship will only stop if the people kick out Mr. Biya and his gang,” he urged.

He also added that Cameroonians in the Southwest, Northwest, Littoral and West regions should be ready to join the movement which has been designed to restore some sanity and dignity to Cameroonians who have been suffering for forty-three years, adding that prayers will not address the situation but actions which will strike fear in the government should be undertaken across the country, pointing out that the ultimate goal is to kick Biya out of power.

“The revolution which took place in Madagascar, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, and Nepal did not happen through prayers and fasting.  The people took to the streets for months to express their frustration. Cameroon needs to wake up and only Cameroonians can end the disaster and calamity Mr. Biya has manufactured for them,” he pointed out.

“Biya has never won any elections in Cameroon. He has always cheated but this election fraud is one too many. He and his people must be called to order. Cameroonians have not committed any crime and they do not deserve the hardship and disrespect the CPDM government has engineered for them,” he said.

“We will be targeting key CPDM militants across the country. The people must punish them for their crimes and sins. Cameroonians have had it up to their eyeballs and this is the time to express that frustration,” he said.

Speaking from Garoua, the Tchiroma party official called on Cameroonians to make the country ungovernable, adding that it would be unwise to pass on the burden to future generations.

“We must solve this equation once and for all. We are calling on all Cameroonians to be ready to free their fatherland. We have been tolerating this corruption for decades, hoping that one day the architects would have an attack of conscience and do the right thing. From every indication, the criminals in government are very determined to push this country to the bottom of the abyss. We cannot allow this to happen and only Cameroonians can pull the country from the brink,” he said.

“The movement taking place in Garoua, Douala and Yaoundé today are just a child’s play. The government has never noticed violence before. It will see hell on the day the results will be made public. There is still time for the right thing to be done. We don’t like blood, but if the government continues to play its games, it will regret its stupidity and corruption,” he stressed.

“Cameroonians must be united against this devilish government which has and is still spreading death and suffering across the country. Mr. Biya who is 96 years according to his family members has a choice – exit power as a respected person or expose his family to the anger of the frustrated population,” he concluded.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

Opposition presidential candidate, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, has announced plans to publish ‘original’ polling station reports to prove his victory in Cameroon’s October 12 presidential election.

He said this while challenging early trends that favor incumbent President Paul Biya.

In a statement released Sunday, Tchiroma said, “To ensure transparency and prevent any manipulation, our campaign team will, in the coming hours, release electoral trends based on the official polling station reports (PVs) signed at the polling sites and transmitted by our scrutineers.”

Tchiroma, who leads the National Salvation Front (FSNC) and is backed by the Union for Change, a coalition of opposition parties, is mounting a direct challenge to Biya, the long-serving president and leader of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM).

Biya has ruled Cameroon since 1982 and is seeking another term amid growing calls for reform.

The National Commission for the General Counting of Votes has yet to announce official results, but preliminary trends suggest Biya is ahead.

Tchiroma’s campaign disputes this, citing data from 18 strategic departments that represent nearly 80% of the national electorate.

“These departments include Wouri, Mfoundi, Bénoué, Diamaré, Mayo-Danay, Mayo-Tsanaga, Vina, Logone-et-Chari, Mungo, Noun, Mayo-Louti, Mayo-Kani, Mayo-Sava, Menoua, Mifi, Mayo-Rey, Lom-et-Djérem, and Lékié,” the statement noted.

Tchiroma emphasized the credibility of his methodology: “It is based on official polling station reports, which are verifiable. Every figure published will be accompanied by documented proof to prevent any dispute.”

He called on the international community and Cameroonians to monitor the trends closely: “They represent the people’s voice and must neither be stolen nor manipulated. Together, we shall defend the truth of the ballot box!”

Meanwhile, tensions are rising across the country.

In the Far North city of Garoua, supporters have formed a civilian-led security unit to protect Tchiroma, declaring, “We will not let anything happen to our leader, we are here to protect him.”

Security forces have reported violent protests in Dschang, Garoua, and other cities.

The Gendarmerie released images of paramilitary drills and stated, “These acts of violence, perpetrated by protesters who claim victory for their candidate, have caused significant damage to property and loss of human life.”

In a bid to calm tensions, the National Council of Traditional Chiefs of Cameroon issued a joint statement urging restraint. Signed by National President Tsala Ndzomo Guy and Secretary General Fon Chafah, the release reaffirmed their commitment to peace and stability as the nation awaits the Constitutional Council’s official proclamation.

As the political standoff intensifies, all eyes remain on the release of Tchiroma’s polling station reports and the Constitutional Council’s final verdict, expected in one week.

Source: Daily Trust

The Constitutional Council will announce the results of the presidential election this Thursday, October 23, in a formal hearing scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at the Yaoundé Convention Center. Cameroonians will know the new president elected for a seven-year term. This event will mark a decisive step in Cameroon’s political life, following a dynamic campaign and genuine enthusiasm across the political spectrum.

The Constitutional Council of Cameroon, the only institution authorized by law to announce the results of the October 12 presidential election, will present the results of the election on Thursday, October 23, in a formal hearing scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Yaoundé Convention Center. The expected results will symbolize the strong mobilization of Cameroonians during the vote on October 12, 2025, following an election that presented a dual aspect: the territorial anchorage of President Paul Biya, but also a very strong opposition dynamic, which already foreshadows the stakes of the upcoming electoral contests, particularly the legislative elections.

“In Cameroon, the results are processed manually, which is why it takes a certain amount of time for all the results from the minutes collected at the polling stations to reach the departmental supervisory commissions; for the departmental supervisory commission to have time to process them manually; and then for these minutes to be centralized at the National Commission for the General Vote Counting, which also takes the time to process the data before transmitting them to the Constitutional Council for review, processing, and publication of the results.”

Jean Paul Ntsengue, Electoral Expert – Cameroon

Elecam, whose work was welcomed by all parties with satisfaction in the conduct of the vote, had an obligation to demonstrate robustness in the transmission of results and compliance with the electoral process, after the closing of the polling stations. From the counting of votes in each polling station and the transmission of the minutes to the local voting commission, then to the departmental supervision commission, all the way to the National Commission for the General Vote Counting. Each support also raised its share of disputes. While all candidates are represented in all these committees to ensure transparency, the transfer of the work to the Constitutional Council, which had a 15-day deadline before the publication of the final results, is facing a stance from the opposition, which disputes the potential results with a suspicion of a victory for President Paul Biya.

“These deadlines must be respected because, in a manual process, they are what allow for secure results.”

Jean Paul Ntsengue, Electoral Expert – Cameroon

While the wait for the results has generated its share of tension and acts of civil disobedience, all political actors, without exception, advocate respect for citizens, civil peace, and, above all, the rejection of violence between citizens. These numerous calls for a peaceful and responsible Cameroon will be a real challenge for the President-elect at the end of this process: to listen to the message of the people in their desire for a genuine and sincere transformation of the daily lives of Cameroonians, a country that seeks to be an example in all circumstances for Africa.

Source: Africa24

Following Cameroon’s presidential election on 12 October, both parties have claimed victory, despite official results not expected for another week. In the port city of Garoua in northern Cameroon, supporters of opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary are keeping watch outside the former minister’s house, wary that President Paul Biya’s government could order his arrest.

Young Cameroonians, both men and women, take turns day and night on the forecourt of Issa Tchiroma Bakary’s home in Garoua, armed with slats and clubs. They are there to protect the opposition leader from arrest after he challenged the outcome of Sunday’s election.

Hassana Tchiroma is a relative of Issa Tchiroma:

‘Minister Tchiroma simply had enough of the hostile rhetoric coming from President Biya’s entourage.’

The inhabitants of Garoua have organised themselves so that one group can keep watch at night and another during the day. They are also calling for 92-year-old President Biya to resign after 43 years in power.

‘Cameroonians are suffering,” says Moussa Iya Mohaman Adama, a resident of Garoua. “If you see the young people out there, you have to understand that we are tired. We are graduates and we have no work. We need to change the country. We want change from north to south, from east to west. We don’t want war. Sorry, Papa Biya, you have to hand over power to the people.”

Following the October 12 election, violent demonstrations shook the city when young people who joined the procession of Garoua’s strongman were dispersed by riot police.

“It was the people who made the decision to protect Minister Tchiroma and his home,” says Hassana Tchiroma, speaking outside the minister’s home.

“You see, we didn’t do anything, and when we returned the other day, on the day of the vote, we found riot police and lots of gendarmes at the crossroads at the entrance to the minister’s home. But we did everything we could to get three vehicles through and disperse the others. It was the next day that the minister was finally able to return to his home, and since then he has been confined to his residence. Everything he does, his statements and everything else, is done from his home.”

The situation remains tense in Garoua, a city under siege. Issa Tchiroma claimed victory in an address to Cameroonians from his home on Monday.

Source: Africa News