It finally happened. On October 27, 2025, the Constitutional Council in Yaoundé made it official. Paul Biya, the 92-year-old incumbent who has steered Cameroon since 1982, was declared the winner of Cameroon presidential election once again.
He didn't just win; he secured an eighth term.
Most people outside the region probably don't realize how high the stakes were this time. We are talking about the world’s oldest head of state. At an age where most people are long retired, Biya is looking at another seven years in the Etoudi Palace. The official numbers say he grabbed 53.66% of the vote. His closest rival, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, trailed behind with 35.19%.
But if you look at the streets of Douala or Garoua, the "winner" isn't a settled topic for everyone.
The Numbers vs. The Noise
Honestly, the lead-up to this announcement was chaotic. On October 12, when the polls closed, the atmosphere was thick. Then, just two days later, Issa Tchiroma Bakary did something bold. He went on social media and declared himself the winner. He claimed his own tallies showed him winning 60% of the vote.
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Basically, he called on Biya to pack his bags.
The government wasn't having it. Paul Atanga Nji, the Minister of Territorial Administration, basically called any unauthorized result release "high treason." That’s heavy language. It set the stage for a massive standoff between the state machinery and an opposition that feels it has been pushed to the brink.
Why the opposition is furious
You've got to understand the "Kamto Factor." Maurice Kamto, who many consider the face of the opposition, wasn't even on the ballot. He was disqualified back in July because his party, the MRC, boycotted previous local elections. This move sparked outrage. Critics called it a "political crime." When you remove the biggest challenger before the race even starts, the "winner" tag starts to feel a bit hollow to a lot of voters.
What Actually Happened on Election Day?
The turnout was roughly 57.76%. That sounds decent, but it's a dip from previous highs. In the Anglophone regions—Northwest and Southwest—voting was, as expected, a nightmare. The ongoing "Amba" conflict meant many people were either too scared to vote or the polling stations simply didn't exist in their areas.
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- The Winner: Paul Biya (RDPC) - 2,474,179 votes
- The Challenger: Issa Tchiroma (FSNC) - 1,622,334 votes
- The Outsider: Cabral Libii (PCRN) - 157,568 votes
It’s worth noting that Issa Tchiroma is a former ally of Biya. He served in the government for years before breaking away. This wasn't just a political battle; it felt like a family feud that went public and got ugly.
The fallout in the streets
The announcement of the winner of Cameroon presidential election didn't bring peace. Far from it. In Garoua, protests turned deadly. A teacher was shot by police. In Douala, people marched on the ELECAM headquarters. The RDPC offices in Dschang were even set on fire.
By the time the dust settled in late October, Human Rights Watch and UN sources were reporting dozens of deaths—estimates range from 16 to 48—and nearly 2,000 arrests. It’s a grim reality for a country that is already struggling with a separatist insurgency in the west and Boko Haram in the north.
Is This Really "Democracy"?
If you ask the Constitutional Council, everything was by the book. They dismissed over 35 appeals from rejected candidates. If you ask the Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, they’ll tell you a different story. Their observers saw deceased people on the registers and polling stations being moved at the last minute.
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There's a weird irony here. Even Biya’s own daughter, Brenda Biya, briefly posted a video telling people not to vote for her father before deleting it and apologizing. When your own family is signaling "enough," you know the political climate is beyond tense.
The 2026 Outlook
So, what now? Paul Biya is set to rule until 2032. If he completes this term, he’ll be 99. The "winner" of the election is legally settled, but the legitimacy of the rule is being tested every day. The opposition has tried lockdowns and "ghost town" strikes, particularly in Douala and Maroua.
Actionable Insights for Following Cameroon’s Future
If you're trying to keep track of where Cameroon goes from here, don't just look at official state media. The situation is shifting fast.
- Watch the Military: In a region (West/Central Africa) where coups are becoming "trendy" again, the loyalty of the elite guard is the only thing keeping the status quo.
- Follow Local Correspondents: Journalists like Moki Kindzeka or outlets like News Central TV Africa often provide more on-the-ground nuance than the big Western wires.
- Monitor the Succession Talk: Since Biya is 92, the real "election" is happening behind closed doors among the RDPC elite. Names like Franck Biya (the son) or Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh are the ones to watch.
- Check the Diaspora: The Cameroonian diaspora in Europe and North America is incredibly active in funding opposition movements. Their influence on social media often dictates the "mood" of the youth back home.
The winner of Cameroon presidential election has been decided, but the struggle for what comes "after Biya" is only just beginning. Keep an eye on the 2026 municipal and legislative updates, as those will be the next real test of whether the opposition can survive this latest blow.
Next Steps: To get a deeper sense of the ground reality, you should look into the latest reports from the International Crisis Group regarding the Anglophone crisis, as that conflict remains the biggest threat to the stability of Biya’s new term. Additionally, tracking the health of the President via official palace communiqués—though often vague—is now a standard part of Cameroonian political life.