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Cameroon’s Constitutional Council Declares Biya Winner With 53.7% as Unrest Spreads

Opposition leaders reject the verdict, alleging a stolen vote.

Supporters of opposition presidential candidate Issa Tchiroma, protest on the streets of Garoua, Cameroon, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Welba Yamo Pascal)
Supporters of opposition presidential candidate Issa Tchiroma, protest on the streets of Garoua, Cameroon, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Welba Yamo Pascal)
Supporters of opposition presidential candidate Issa Tchiroma, protest on the streets of Garoua, Cameroon, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Welba Yamo Pascal)
Supporters of opposition presidential candidate Issa Tchiroma, protest on the streets of Garoua, Cameroon, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Welba Yamo Pascal)

Overview

  • The Constitutional Council awarded President Paul Biya 53.66% of the Oct. 12 vote, with challenger Issa Tchiroma Bakary at 35.19%.
  • Protests erupted in Douala, Garoua and Maroua as security forces used tear gas and water cannon to disperse crowds and made numerous arrests.
  • Regional authorities in the Littoral region reported four deaths in Douala and at least 105 arrests during Sunday’s clashes, though casualty counts vary across reports.
  • Tchiroma’s campaign said about 30 allied politicians and activists were detained, including MANIDEM leader Anicet Ekane and Union for Change figure Djeukam Tchameni.
  • Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji described the arrests as a response to an insurrectional movement, while Tchiroma maintains he won and refuses to accept other results.