Garoua, Cameroon – Cameroon’s Constitutional Council has officially declared President Paul Biya the winner of the October 12 presidential election, awarding him 53.66% of the vote. His main challenger, former ally Issa Tchiroma Bakary, received 35.19%, the Council confirmed.
“The candidate Paul Biya is hereby declared elected president of the republic, after obtaining a majority of the votes cast,” announced Clément Atangana, President of the Constitutional Council.
Voter turnout was reported at 57.76%, with an abstention rate of 42.24%. Ten candidates contested the election, and Biya, 92, Africa’s oldest head of state and the continent’s second longest-serving leader, was widely regarded as the frontrunner.
Regional and Diaspora Voting Patterns
The Council released a breakdown of votes by region:
Adamawa: Tchiroma Bakary 56%
Centre: Biya 70.14%
East: Biya 73.88%
Far North: Biya 45.93%
Littoral: Tchiroma Bakary 64.5%
North: Tchiroma Bakary 43.51%
North-West: Biya 86.31% of valid votes
West: Biya 46.21% vs Tchiroma 38.6%
South: Biya 90.86%
South-West: Biya 68.7%, despite 53% voter abstention
In the diaspora, Tchiroma Bakary won support in the Americas (66.75%), Asia and Middle East (68.21%), and Europe (62.79%), illustrating his popularity outside Cameroon.
Biya’s Leadership Record
Biya first assumed power in 1982 after the resignation of Ahmadou Ahidjo. Known for frequent absences abroad, particularly in Swiss hotels, his advanced age has fueled occasional rumors of his death. Supporters cite his role in expanding education and securing the Bakassi Peninsula, while critics highlight a persistent Anglophone separatist insurgency, high youth unemployment (around 40%), and deteriorating public infrastructure.
Opposition Protests and Violence
Following Tchiroma Bakary’s claims of victory, protests erupted across Cameroon. Authorities reported at least four deaths in Douala during clashes with security forces. Police stations were reportedly attacked, prompting defensive responses from security personnel.
In Garoua, a stronghold for Tchiroma Bakary, police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds. Protesters accused the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) of manipulating the election. Demonstrations also occurred in Douala, where chants for Tchiroma’s victory were widespread.
Tchiroma Bakary, 76, rejected the official results, asserting he had won approximately 55% of the vote based on returns from 80% of polling stations. He refused to file complaints with the Constitutional Council, citing its judges’ appointment by Biya, and declared himself the “legal and legitimate president.”
