Yaoundé, Cameroon –
Eight days after Cameroon’s presidential election, the National Vote Counting Commission announced provisional results indicating a victory for incumbent President Paul Biya.
According to the Commission, Biya secured over 53% of the votes, ahead of his main challenger Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who received 35%.
The results have been strongly contested. Opposition candidate Tchiroma has declared himself the true winner, claiming about 60% of the votes based on his own tally.
“The people have made their choice. And that choice must be respected,” Tchiroma said in a statement following the election.
Tchiroma has dismissed the official figures as inaccurate and called for greater transparency in the vote-counting process.
The disputed results have triggered nationwide protests, with demonstrations reported in several major cities. Some rallies turned violent, leading to clashes with security forces.
The Constitutional Council is expected to release the official results by October 26. If confirmed, the outcome would extend Paul Biya’s 42-year rule. At 92 years old, he remains one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.
