Cameroon Arrests 20 Protesters Amid Rising Tensions After Disputed Presidential Election

Cameroon Arrests at Least 20 Protesters as Tensions Escalate After Presidential Election

At least 20 protesters have been arrested in Cameroon following demonstrations over the disputed October 12 presidential election, officials said Tuesday. The arrests come as tensions rise across the country ahead of the expected announcement of official results later this week, with opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary declaring victory and urging longtime President Paul Biya to step down.

Government Confirms Arrests, Warns of “Acts of Provocation”

Cameroon’s Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, confirmed the arrests in a statement Tuesday, saying several individuals had been detained in the northern city of Garoua for allegedly engaging in “insurrection and incitement to rebellion.”

“The government watches with concern acts of provocation and disorder carried out by some troublemakers,” Nji said, adding that those arrested were being “manipulated by political actors.”

According to the ministry, 20 of the protesters will be brought before military courts, while others have been transferred to Yaounde for further investigation. Authorities did not specify the total number of arrests or when they occurred.

Opposition Claims Victory, Government Rejects Results

Opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary declared victory last week, urging 92-year-old President Paul Biya — Africa’s oldest sitting leader — to concede defeat. Biya’s ruling party swiftly dismissed Tchiroma’s claims, accusing him of attempting to “disrupt the electoral process” and “incite unrest.”

Cameroon’s Constitutional Council is expected to announce official election results by October 26, amid rising political tension and sporadic street demonstrations.

Analysts predict a likely victory for Biya, citing a divided opposition and the exclusion of one of his strongest challengers, who was barred from running in August. Eleven candidates appeared on the ballot.

Protests Erupt Amid Allegations of Election Fraud

Following the vote, small protests erupted in several cities, with opposition supporters alleging widespread irregularities and ballot manipulation.

Tchiroma and several civil society groups claimed the election was marred by vote tampering, unequal ballot paper distribution, and attempted ballot box stuffing. The National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, which deployed observers, also noted major procedural flaws, including relocation of polling stations and an outdated voter roll containing names of deceased persons.

Eight civil society organizations that monitored the vote echoed these findings, citing “systemic irregularities” and lack of transparency in several regions.

Tchiroma Publishes “Unofficial Results” Online

In a bold move, Tchiroma began posting what he claimed were vote tallies from 18 administrative units on his Facebook page, representing about 80% of the electorate. He said the figures “confirmed” his victory.

The posts quickly went viral, drawing both praise and ridicule. Supporters hailed them as proof of an opposition win, while government loyalists — including several ministers — dismissed the data as fabricated.

Tchiroma, in his late 70s, previously served as Biya’s government spokesperson and employment minister before breaking ranks earlier this year to launch his presidential campaign. Backed by a coalition of opposition parties and civic groups, his rallies drew large crowds across major cities.

Decades of Power and Deep-Rooted Challenges

President Paul Biya has ruled Cameroon since 1982, making him the country’s second president since independence from France in 1960. Now in his 43rd year in power, Biya has long faced criticism for his government’s handling of corruption, repression, and regional conflicts.

The Central African nation of nearly 30 million people continues to grapple with a violent secessionist movement in the English-speaking western regions, persistent poverty, and underdevelopment despite its rich reserves of oil, timber, and minerals.

What Comes Next

As Cameroon awaits the Constitutional Council’s proclamation of results, observers warn that tensions could escalate if the process lacks transparency or if the opposition rejects the outcome.

International organizations have urged calm and called on authorities to respect citizens’ rights to peaceful protest. Meanwhile, security forces remain deployed in key cities amid fears of further unrest.