Protests erupt in Cameroon over disputed presidential election results

Tension gripped major cities in Cameroon on Tuesday as supporters of opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary took to the streets to protest what they described as widespread electoral fraud in the October 12 presidential election. In Yaoundé, the capital, peaceful demonstrators gathered, chanting “Issa Tchiroma” and waving flags in support of the candidate, who claims […]

Tension gripped major cities in Cameroon on Tuesday as supporters of opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary took to the streets to protest what they described as widespread electoral fraud in the October 12 presidential election.

In Yaoundé, the capital, peaceful demonstrators gathered, chanting “Issa Tchiroma” and waving flags in support of the candidate, who claims to have won the election.

However, Daily Trust gathered that security forces, including gendarmes and police officers, swiftly moved in to disperse the crowd.

Similar scenes were reported in Garoua, the hometown of Tchiroma, where thousands defied warnings from local authorities and staged a spirited parade.

“We are here to show that our votes count,” said one protester in Garoua. “We believe Issa Tchiroma won, and we will not be silenced.”

The unrest follows the release of preliminary results by the vote-counting commission, which show incumbent President Paul Biya of the CPDM party leading with 53.66% of the vote.

Tchiroma of the FSNC trails with 35.19%, while other candidates, including Cabral Libii and Bello Bouba, secured less than 4% each.

The official declaration by the Constitutional Council is expected on Thursday, October 23.

Despite the official figures, Tchiroma has published results from 18 key divisions, claiming victory in 13 of them.

According to his tally, he received 1,227,431 votes compared to Biya’s 700,681 — a difference of over 500,000 votes.

These figures, he insists, are backed by signed procès-verbaux from representatives of all presidential candidates.

In the Far North Region’s Diamaré Division, Tchiroma reportedly secured 81,565 votes against Biya’s 64,961. Similar margins were recorded in Mayo Tsanaga and Mayo Danay divisions, further fueling claims of a parallel victory.

 

As the Cameroonians await the Constitutional Council’s final verdict expected tomorrow, the atmosphere remains charged.