At least four people have been killed and several others injured in violent clashes between protesters and security forces in Cameroon’s economic capital, Douala, as tensions rise ahead of the official release of presidential election results.
Authorities confirmed the deaths on Sunday, describing the protests as “premeditated acts of violence” that threaten public order and national stability. The unrest erupted after opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary rejected preliminary tallies and declared himself the rightful winner of the October 12 presidential election.
Regional Governor Samuel Dieudonné Diboua said several police posts were attacked, prompting security officers to respond with force. He warned that investigations were underway and that those responsible for instigating the violence would face prosecution.
“Four people unfortunately lost their lives,” Diboua told reporters. “Investigations have been opened to shed light on these incidents and to bring those behind them to justice.”
The clashes mark the most serious outbreak of violence since polling day, exposing the deep political divisions surrounding Cameroon’s long-serving President Paul Biya, who has ruled the Central African nation for 43 years.
Hundreds of supporters of opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary defied a government ban on public gatherings and poured into the streets of Douala, Garoua, and other major cities. They accused the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) of plotting to “steal” their candidate’s victory.
“We are not here for disorder. We are demanding the truth of the ballot,” read one placard carried by protesters in Garoua.
Witnesses said security forces responded with tear gas and water cannons after the demonstrations turned chaotic. Several protesters were arrested, while others were dispersed with force.
In Garoua, Tchiroma Bakary’s northern stronghold, protesters chanted slogans calling for “freedom” and “justice,” insisting their leader had won the vote. “We are here to claim our victory. This is our right as Cameroonians,” one demonstrator said.
Authorities have banned all political gatherings until Monday, when the Constitutional Council is expected to officially announce the election results.
Opposition supporters in Douala also took to the streets, chanting “We want Tchiroma” as security personnel blocked major intersections. According to reports gathered by The Africa Standard, businesses were forced to shut down and public transport came to a standstill in some districts.
Tchiroma Bakary, 76, has maintained that he won the presidency with about 55 percent of the vote based on results compiled from individual polling stations covering 80 percent of the electorate. He released a video statement on social media urging his supporters to “defend democracy peacefully.”
He accused President Biya’s ruling party of manipulating the vote and said he would not recognize results announced by the Constitutional Council, claiming it lacked independence because its members were appointed by Biya himself.
“I am the legal and legitimate president elected by the people of Cameroon,” Tchiroma Bakary said in the video message that has since gone viral across social media platforms.
The ruling CPDM party dismissed the opposition leader’s declaration as unlawful, insisting that only the Constitutional Council has the authority to announce official election results. Senior party officials have described the protests as an “attempted insurrection” meant to destabilize the nation.
Cameroon’s electoral commission has not released any preliminary figures but says voting was “generally peaceful” and “in line with democratic procedures.”
However, opposition groups have alleged widespread irregularities, including ballot-stuffing, voter intimidation, and manipulation of counting centers.
The Constitutional Council has already dismissed eight petitions challenging the election results, citing lack of evidence or jurisdiction. Tchiroma Bakary’s camp refused to submit a formal complaint, arguing that the council was biased in favor of the incumbent.
Born in Garoua, Issa Tchiroma Bakary trained as an engineer in France before returning to Cameroon to work for the national railway company. He spent six years in prison after being accused of involvement in a failed 1984 coup against President Biya, though he was never convicted.
He later joined government ranks, serving as Minister of Communications from 2009 to 2019, where he staunchly defended Biya’s administration during the height of the Boko Haram insurgency and other national crises.
In a dramatic political turn, Tchiroma Bakary resigned from the government in June and declared his candidacy for the presidency, promising to end decades of political dominance by the CPDM.
Political analysts say his defection has reshaped Cameroon’s political landscape, but his challenge to Biya’s authority has also triggered one of the most tense post-election standoffs in years.
“The situation is extremely volatile,” said political analyst Ernest Fomukong. “Cameroon stands at a crossroads. The government must act with restraint and transparency to prevent further bloodshed.”
As the country awaits the Constitutional Council’s verdict, tension remains high in Douala, Yaoundé, and Garoua, with security forces deployed in large numbers around key government buildings.
Human rights groups have called for calm, urging authorities to respect citizens’ right to peaceful assembly and for opposition leaders to discourage violence.
Analysts warn that how the government handles the current crisis could determine the stability of Cameroon’s democracy for years to come.
